In a game filled with numerous questionable calls from referees and Matt Nagy’s playbook, the Minnesota Vikings relatively cruised to victory over the Chicago Bears, even if the final score made it seem like a closer game. However, the way we got to that final score had some big implications for certain bettors.
The Vikings led 17-3 with time ticking off the clock. Even though the outcome was a foregone conclusion, the Bears decided to try to save some face and go for a score on the final play. Justin Fields took the snap from the 19-yard-line and scrambled around as time expired, eventually finding Jesper Horsted for a touchdown.
This seemingly meaningless Bears touchdown — as it was eventually ruled — mattered to some. There was no extra point attempt.
The Vikings — 7-point favorites at many sportsbooks — won 17-9. 🏈 pic.twitter.com/Bp275ntKVY
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) December 21, 2021
Suddenly, the extra point was going to have major implications. While the line jumped around a bit all week, many of the sportsbooks had the Vikings as a seven-point favorite. That meant that if the Bears could kick the extra point or make a two-point conversation, they’d win that bet for anyone who took Bears +7.
However, that never happened, because the NFL changed the rule about extra points after the final play of the game so that if the point wouldn’t matter to the outcome, it doesn’t need to happen. And so, in spite of the touchdown, the Bears did not attempt an extra point and the game was over. So were those brief hopes for certain bettors. Congrats if you had the Vikings covering.
Bears (+7) bettors after Chicago didn't come out for the PAT pic.twitter.com/pLtwvCAbeA
— PFF NFL Podcast (@PFFNFLPod) December 21, 2021
As if Bears fans needed more things to complain about after this game.
Bears +7 bettors going in to kick the PAT themselvespic.twitter.com/RZsBR5y6EO
— Covers (@Covers) December 21, 2021
