NFL: It was a bad beat, get over it!
By W.G. Ramirez
LAS VEGAS — I don't know who caused more of a commotion Sunday, the Los Angeles Rams or those clamoring conspiracy theories about coach Sean McVay for kicking a field goal.
Trailing 30-20 with just five seconds left in the game, and absolutely no chance to comeback, we saw quarterback Matthew Stafford spike the ball and placekicker Brett Mahger follow with a 38-yard field goal with just four seconds remaining.
Unfortunately, the line was sitting on 7 or 7 1/2.
Unfortunately, it looked peculiar for obvious reasons.
Unfortunately, there were naive people who firmly believe "the fix" was in.
"Felt like it was an opportunity to not leave Matthew susceptible to an unnecessary heave to the end zone and get an opportunity for our field goal operation," Rams coach Sean McVay said. "Apparently, (Rams VP of communications) Artis (Twyman) told me there’s a lot of people in Vegas pissed off about that decision. I clearly was not aware of that stuff."
Yep.
And pissed off is okay.
But to go on and on about it became quite annoying by Tuesday morning.
Get over it, or stop betting sports.
We're approaching Week 3 and we're going to see plenty of other bad beats, no matter how much you think a quarterback threw an interception into the hands of a defender, ahem, on purpose. Or a running back has a game with three fumbles.
Bad beats happen.
There is far too much regulation to think a coach is purposely working with the point spread in mind.
Doesn't mean we have to agree with his reasoning.
"Usually, you see coaches strategize to get down there and try to kick a field goal as quickly as possible to leave time on the clock," said Jeff Sherman, VP of risk management at the Westgate. "Get their kick in and leave 30 seconds left to get the onside and give yourself a chance at another score.
"But, it's not whether he kicked it at the end or went for it at the end. The whole thing that we found peculiar was that he didn't with about 30 to 40 seconds left, try to quickly kick a field goal and get that part out of the way to get it to a one-score game. Then do the onside kick with time remaining."
Now that makes sense.
Question the coaches in their mindset and decisions, sure.
But let's leave their "whys and why nots" out of it from this point.
Unfortunately, losing bettors never do.
Now, time to shake off last week's 1-4 mark with this week's best bets (all numbers will be graded by Thursday's line at the Westgate):
49ERS (-10') vs. Giants
I like the 49ers before it was announced New York would be without Saquon Barkley. I like them even more and was shocked the number didn't move after the announcement. After two weeks, the Niners might be the most complete team we've seen. Second straight road game for the Giants, and on a short week? Lay it.
BROWNS (-3') vs. Titans
If you can believe it, Cleveland's defense has been the stingiest through the first two weeks of the season. Through their first two games, the Browns have yet to allow a touchdown on defense. And that's against a pair of division rivals, in Cincinnati and the Steelers. Cleveland will be angry after losing to Pittsburgh.
PACKERS (-1') vs. Saints
The fact Green Bay running back Aaron Jones returned to practice on Thursday is encouraging, especially when the Saints' run defense has been suspect in my eyes. The Packers are averaging 31 points/game through their first two, and should provide New Orleans its first real challenge.
BILLS (-6') at Commanders
I can't in good conscience take Washington here, even though we're talking about a surprising 2-0 team. The Bills have been waiting an awfully long time to defeat offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy, after all those years he beat them while serving in the same capacity with Kansas City. The Commanders' offense might be improved under his watch, but they're not the Chiefs. And, their defense won't contain Josh Allen and company.
CHIEFS (-12') vs. Bears
Sitting at 1-1, no one can argue that Kansas City's offense is long overdue for an offensive outburst. We've yet to see the defending champions flex their muscles and this is the perfect spot to do so. The Bears' defense has allowed a league sixth-highest 554 yards and an NFL second-worst 32.5 points per game. Mahomes and the boys are going off this weekend.
WEEK 2 RECORD: 1-4
SEASON RECORD: 3-7
