Worst Beat Ever? It Wasn't Monday Night

Western Kentucky beats Central Michigan 49-48 in the worst beat in football betting history.

Oct 4, 2017 by Kolby Paxton

In case you somehow missed it, the Kansas City Chiefs were a seven-point favorite over the Washington Redskins on Monday night with a total over/under of 48.

If you took Washington (+7) and the under, you were four seconds away from hitting both -- until every bettor's least-favorite game-ending scenario commenced.

Somewhere between three and three million times it appeared as though the play would be innocently stamped out. Then Justin Houston did this:

Chiefs by 9 -- total, 49. Ouch.

Many have mentioned that this might be the worst football beat ever. It wasn't. This 2014 bowl game between Central Michigan and Western Kentucky was:

With Thomas Rawls out for CMU due to an undisclosed academic-related issue, the Chippewas were undermanned -- and Western Kentucky took advantage. The Hilltoppers -- 2.5-point favorites -- hammered Central Michigan for three quarters and led 49-14 with less than 12 minutes to go.

It was a wrap. If you had the Tops by 2.5, you were likely headed out to spend your winnings on some Christmas gifts during the fourth quarter. But that's when all hell broke loose.

Cooper Rush to Titus Davis -- 49-21

Cooper Rush hits Titus Davis for a ho-hum touchdown that even Davis can't get excited for. No big deal. We're fine, Hilltoppers. We're fine.

Rush to Davis Again -- 49-28

That's annoying. That ball looked like a dying quail. But there's still no real cause for concern. It's still a three score game with eight minutes to go -- and Western will probably score again anyway.

Willie McNeal Coughs It Up

See? There goes Willie McNeal! Ballga-- Oh no!

Oh yes. McNeal fumbles at the end of 54-yard pitch and catch -- and, suddenly, things are getting weird.

Rush to Jesse Kroll -- 49-35

OK, c'mon. At this point, we're leaving our shopping cart at the checkout line and running to the nearest television. Ridiculous. But whatever. Just get the onside kick, pick up a first down or two, and it's a wrap.

Oh. My. God.

Penalty! Phew. Dodged disaster there.

Rush to Anthony Garland -- 49-42

Fine whatever. There's just a minute left. Just cover the kick.

There we go. Game over. Right?

Punt Touched Dead With :01 Left

Let it roll? No? Kill it at the 1? None of the above?

One second left. Because of course there's one second left.

Rush to Kroll… to Deion Butler to Courtney Williams to Titus -- 49-48

Silver lining: At least now the Tops can cover in overtime.

Wait, what? The Chippewas are going for two?

Awesome.

If you're keeping score, that's a 34-0 run over the final 11 minutes and change -- and an ending that just kept ripping out the hearts of those who bet Western.

With respect to Redskins-Chiefs, this is a bad beat.