The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 35-16 on Sunday to improve to 4-0, and while the result of the game was never in doubt, sports bettors had a vested interest to the very end.
It did not end well for many of them.
As is often the case, the battle to see which side would cover the spread was decided very late in the game.
San Francisco was favored by 14 coming into the game, and Arizona had multiple chances to backdoor cover on their final possession, but touchdown passes went right through the hands of tight end Zach Ertz and wide receiver Zach Pascal, culminating in a turnover on downs to end the game and secure the cover for the 49ers.
Arizona Cardinals +14 bettors… look away. 🏈💸😬pic.twitter.com/ahjLUzZ8h2
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 1, 2023
That’s tough for the Cardinals and their bettors. San Francisco had their backups in on defense, too! Pascal’s play was a tough one but Ertz let it go right through his hands at the worst possible time.
Despite the loss, Cardinals quarterback Josh Dobbs had a strong game against the vaunted 49ers, finishing with 265 yards and a pair of touchdown passes on 28-of-41 passing. The game was always going to be tough for the overmatched Cardinals, which is why they were two-touchdown underdogs in the first place.
Social media sounded off over the bad beat.
Cardinals gave it a good go but they lose to the 49ers. And they had two dropped touchdowns that would've affirmed their status as a "great team" if you catch my drift.
— Field Gulls (@FieldGulls) October 1, 2023
"That's a Bad Beat, Scott Van Pelt…" -Sir Charles voice https://t.co/pux8bSjVP5
— Tom Gialanella (@mrtommygman) October 1, 2023
Nope. Us AZ +14.5 bettors have a bad beat cause Zach Ertz sucks.
— Jeff Engle (@JeffEngle10) October 1, 2023
Is it a bad beat if two Cardinals drop touchdowns that were in their hands in the last 15 seconds of the game?
— SportsPickMagic (@G_LovesWinning) October 1, 2023
[Photo Credit: Fox Sports]