The Texans, depending on the sportsbook, where considered slight home favorites in Sunday's Week 9 NFL interconference home game vs. the Buccaneers. Most bettors on the Houston side of the points were taking the team at either minus-3 or minus-2.5.
In reality and fantasy football, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud throwing for a single-game rookie record of 470 yards and delivering his fifth TD pass with 10 seconds left led to a statistically thrilling 39-37 victory. But in the world of betting, that big game and big win was just a bad beat.
The Texans first looked in good shape early to either push or cover against the Buccaneers when running back Dare Ogunbowale kicked a field goal to make 33-30 with 8:48 left in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, Ogunbowale needing to replace injured kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn (quad) came back to bite their bettors.
Everything looked completely dead for the Texans when Baker Mayfield threw a go-ahead TD pass to make it 37-33 Buccaneers with 49 seconds left. Stroud pulling off the minor miracle with his stellar last-gasp drive ended up saving the game for Bucs' bettors.
MORE: C.J. Stroud sets NFL single-game rookie passing record
With the knowledge that Ogunbowale made that earlier field goal from 29 yards, the Texans could have opted for him to simply kick the point after touchdown to push the score to 40-37. Another option was to go for two with Stroud to try to make it 41-37, helping all the Texans bettors cash in. instead, the Texans decided to take a knee on the untimed down, settling for the two-point win that was frustrating to many.
Had there been more time on the clock, say even 25 seconds, the Texans couldn't have done that or risk being tied or losing should the Bucs respond with a quick field-goal drive. But they took a calculated risk that there was simply not enough time for Mayfield to put the timeout-less Buccaneers into such range.
Also, had the Texans gone for two or trotted out Ogunbowale, there also was the risk of a botched play and turnover that the Buccaneers' defense could have returned the distance for their own two-pointer to tie the game.
Ultimately, the Texans did the smart thing to secure the victory in a wild high-scoring affair. At least the bettors who sided with the Buccaneers and the easy over on the point total can rejoice about their fortunes.
