Another Last-Minute Defensive Touchdown in a Redskins Game Has Big Impact

By Brett Smiley | Published: October 30, 2017 at 3:53 pm

Brett Smiley

October 30, 2017

In a last-minute bid at Kansas City in Week 4, the Washington Redskins attempted a Yakety Sax-style series of laterals that amused everyone except Chiefs fans and people who bet on Washington to cover the 7-point spread. The play continued after time expired until the Chiefs’ Justin Houston returned a fumble for a touchdown. That score had no impact on the game’s outcome… but it flipped the spread after a great effort from the Redskins — from a 23-20 Chiefs victory to 29-20.

It happened again on Sunday against the Cowboys (-2) similar fashion and with equal impact.

Last-Minute Defensive Touchdown in Redskins-Cowboys Game Pushes Game Over, Squashes Teaser Legs

Let’s quickly set the scene in case you were passed out, covering your face in a pillow or otherwise occupied: The Redskins spent most of the first three quarters screwing up (blocked FG returned by Dallas to the 2, lost fumble, lost fumble, etc.) or squandering opportunities, though the defense limited the damage to give Washington a real chance to win.

Down 26-13 with about nine minutes to go, the Redskins drove 75 yards for a touchdown to make the score 26-19 (missed extra point). Washington then managed to get the ball back at their own 12 with 54 seconds and zero timeouts. Tough spot, especially in the rain behind an offensive line comprised almost entirely of backups, but not unreasonable.

On the first play, Kirk Cousins threw a time-sucking four yard completion to Jamison Crowder. And then this happened:

Tipped at the the line by Cowboys DE Demarcus Lawrence for an easy catch by safety Byron Jones and a return for a touchdown without aWashington finger on him.

Two betting implications:

1. The game total: It opened at 50.5 but dropped to about 46.5 when the weather forecast showed roughly 20-mph winds and heavy rain. Do the math and UNDER bettors were cautiously optimistic with 33 seconds remaining and the Redskins needing a touchdown. Oops! The defensive score pushed it OVER at 52 then 53 with the extra point. Brutal.

2. Redskins teaser legs: Unfortunately yours truly was in this camp. I liked the Redskins at +2 (hindsight is 20/20) and decided to invest further with a 6-point teaser that gave me +8 (paired with the successful Bengals-Colts over from earlier). Thanks to the teaser points, I was in cover territory. That is until…

The game and last word on the spread or total or any wager is NEVER over — not even when the clock strikes 0:00, as Chiefs backers know from the wild Week 7 Thursday night game in Oakland. So it goes with sports betting. Shake it off and don’t go chasing.