Patrick Mahomes’ goal-line slide brings in millions in sports betting
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David Purdum, ESPN staff writer
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes slid down the New York Jets’ 2-yard line to secure a 23-20 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday night, a decision that drew dozens at sportsbooks across the country Millions of dollars moved.
The Chiefs finished as 8-point favorites over the Jets and received overwhelming support from the sportsbook betting public. An hour before kickoff, 91% of the bets and 84% of the money placed on the game’s point spread were on Kansas City at Caesars Sportsbook. BetMGM and DraftKings also reported heavy action against the Chiefs.
A touchdown from Mahomes on his last-minute scramble could have covered the lead, but he instead made the exhilarating play to give himself up, allowing the Chiefs to squeeze out the final seconds and secure the win.
Bookmakers knew early last week that they would need the Jets to make a big decision in Sunday night’s game. All week long, the betting public’s money flowed towards the Chiefs, who opened as 9.5-point away favorites over the Jets. At some sportsbooks, Kansas City was featured in more bets than any other team. But some big bets from smart bettors caused the line to shift in the Jets’ favor in the hours before kickoff.
Caesars said it took a $350,000 bet and a $240,556 bet on the Jets +8.5 on Sunday – and still had a one-sided game against the Chiefs.
“The Jets have made a lot of money, but we’re still rooting for them,” Adam Pullen, associate director of Caesars Sportsbook, said Sunday shortly after the game kicked off.
The Chiefs jumped out to a 17-0 lead but held on to a three-point lead late in the fourth quarter in a closely contested game.
The selected primetime games almost always generate the most bets and the biggest decisions for sports bettors due to the high probability of betting throughout the day. Kansas City was featured in more parlays than any other team at some sportsbooks.
Pullen said the Chiefs’ coverage of the spread resulted in the best Sunday of the season so far for the betting public. A clever move by Mahomes prevented this.
