Shock Upsets in NFL Week 12: Commanders and Texans Fall Short

Shock Upsets in NFL Week 12: Commanders and Texans Fall Short

November 25, 2024 Catherine Williams - Chief Editor Sports

NFL Week 12 Highlights: Key Upsets and Betting Insights

In Week 12 of the NFL, major upsets affected public betting. The Washington Commanders lost as 10.5-point favorites to the Dallas Cowboys, losing 34-26. Similarly, the Houston Texans fell to the Tennessee Titans, losing 32-27 as 8-point favorites. These results favored bookmakers, as many recreational bettors lost their wagers.

John Murray, from SuperBook, noted, “Dallas and Tennessee winning outright saved us from what could have been a really ugly early window.”

Dallas Cowboys Surprise Win

The Cowboys entered the match on a five-game losing streak and played without their QB Dak Prescott. Many viewed this game as an easy win for Washington. The first three quarters were close, with Dallas leading 10-9. A wild fourth quarter included several key plays:

  • KaVontae Turpin returned a kickoff for a 99-yard touchdown, giving Dallas a 27-17 lead.
  • Jayden Daniels threw an 86-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin, leaving the Commanders within one point, but they missed the extra point.
  • Juanyeh Thomas returned an onside kick for a 43-yard touchdown, finalizing the score at 34-26.

This upset ruined plenty of betting parlays. The Dallas victory, combined with the Texans’ loss, added to a tough day for bettors, especially when the Kansas City Chiefs won by a narrow margin over the Carolina Panthers, scoring 30-27.

Bright Spots for Bettors

Despite the turmoil for many bettors, the Detroit Lions continued their strong performance. Since mid-2022, the Lions had a record of 32 wins against 9 losses. They defeated the Indianapolis Colts, covering the 7-point spread with a final score of 24-6.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers also performed well against the New York Giants, winning 30-7 as 6-point favorites. However, the San Francisco 49ers’ game proved unfavorable for sportsbooks. Despite injury challenges, the Green Bay Packers dominated, winning 38-10 as 6-point favorites.

South Point sportsbook director Chris Andrews noted significant losses from the Vikings’ close win over the Bears. The game ended 30-27 in overtime, affecting many bets for the sportsbooks.

Betters also triumphed during the Sunday night game, with the Philadelphia Eagles beating the Los Angeles Rams 37-20. Saquon Barkley rushed for a remarkable 255 yards, highlighting his impact in the match.

College Football Results

In college football, significant upsets emerged over the weekend. Alabama lost to Oklahoma 24-3 as a 14-point favorite. Ole Miss also fell, losing 24-17 to Florida. Texas A&M lost to Auburn in an intense quadruple overtime match, 43-41, after being a 2.5-point favorite.

Andrews commented on the impact of these losses, stating, “Saturday was a really good day” for sportsbooks, especially with further fails from Georgia, Arkansas, and Texas not covering their spreads.

Overall, Week 12 showcased unexpected results, highlighting the unpredictable nature of sports betting.