Arrr! Chiefs' gamblers be cursed by Patrick Mahomes' slip. "I dare not repeat what be shouted in thar tavern!"
2023-10-03
Those scallywags who wagered on the Kansas City Chiefs to best the New York Jets by a good ol' eight score were left with a face as long as a plank when Patrick Mahomes be slid, a mere hair's breadth away from the end zone, on the Lord's day. Aaarrr!
In the world of sports gambling, not every win is a win. Patrick Mahomes, the star quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, secured a victory for his team in a game against the New York Jets. With less than two minutes remaining and the Chiefs leading 23-20, Mahomes made the decision to scramble for a first down and slide just shy of the end zone instead of scoring another touchdown. This strategic move allowed Kansas City to take control of the clock and ultimately win the game.While Chiefs fans celebrated their narrow victory, the sportsbooks in Vegas were also celebrating. Derek Wilkinson, SVP of Sports for DRF Sportsbook, remarked on the significant swing in bets favoring the Chiefs, especially because they were playing a struggling Jets team. Despite being happy with Mahomes' decision, Wilkinson joked that he can't retire until the Chiefs start losing some games outright.
The Chiefs were heavily favored to win by 7.5 and 8 points in some sportsbooks due to their status as the defending Super Bowl champions. The expectation was that they would easily secure a win over the struggling Jets, who had lost their previous two games. The Chiefs quickly built a 17-0 lead in the first quarter, adding to the belief that they would easily win the game.
Chuck Esposito, the sportsbook director at Red Rock Resort, revealed that a Chiefs loss would have been a significant financial loss for the sportsbooks. However, when Mahomes broke free and ran towards the end zone, the room erupted with excitement. His decision to slide instead of scoring caused a dramatic swing in bets, resulting in a win for the sportsbooks.
It is estimated that around $80 million was wagered on the game, with a large majority of that money placed on the Chiefs as favorites. This further highlights the impact of Mahomes' decision and the significance of the win for the sportsbooks.