If you were banking on the Cowboys covering a -5.5 spread during Thursday night’s game, you likely found yourself wanting to smash your television when Brandon Aubrey, Dallas’ reliable kicker, missed a crucial field goal in the final minute of their 20-15 win.
With 30 seconds left and a chance to stretch their lead to eight points, the Cowboys opted to have Aubrey attempt a 51-yard field goal. Up until that moment, Aubrey had been flawless from long distances, boasting a perfect 25-for-25 record on kicks of 40 or more yards, including an earlier 62-yard kick in the game.
Betting platforms like BetMGM and DraftKings closed the spread with Dallas favored by 5.5 points, making Aubrey’s kick pivotal for those who had bet on the Cowboys to cover the spread. What seemed like a sure thing quickly turned into disappointment when Aubrey missed for the first time this season, shattering many betting tickets.
Amazon Prime’s broadcast team couldn’t help but acknowledge the gambling implications. Analyst Al Michaels, aware of the stakes for bettors, remarked, “So, as it stands, some will be happy with this field goal attempt, while others definitely won’t. And you know exactly what I mean,” drawing laughter from fellow commentator Kirk Herbstreit.
As Aubrey’s kick sailed wide, Michaels echoed the disbelief shared by many. “Oh, of all things. No good. It’s his first miss from 50-plus. And the patient is breathing,” he commented as the tension lifted for some but devastated others.
— HammySam (@HammySam3) September 27, 2024
While Dallas secured the win, sportsbooks reaped the benefits. According to Fanatics, 68.4% of the bets were placed on Dallas to cover the spread, while BetMGM saw an overwhelming 85% of the betting handle on Cowboys -5.5. Aubrey’s miss likely handed sportsbooks a substantial profit, with potential six-figure gains.
Max Meyer, sports editor for Fanatics Sportsbook, had predicted before the game that many bettors would favor Dallas. “Under Mike McCarthy, the Cowboys have dominated weaker teams while struggling against tougher opponents,” Meyer noted. “Even after their road win over the Browns, the Giants are still seen as a subpar team by most. Bettors were confident Dallas would continue their trend, happily taking the points no matter the line.”
Ultimately, Aubrey’s unexpected miss left both bettors and fans stunned, reminding everyone that even “sure things” can go awry in sports.
