Late Thanksgiving fireworks lead to one of this week’s ‘bad beats’

Closing lines are courtesy of Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook, and pick percentages are via Wunderdog Sports.

Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys

Closing line: Over/under 53

In what ended up as the highest NFL total in Week 12, those on the under didn’t have much to be thankful about after this one ended.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Cowboys led 17-6 — 30 points shy of the closing total of 53. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Kirk Cousins hooked up with Jordan Reed for a 5-yard touchdown, marking the start of a wild final 15 minutes. The teams continued to exchange touchdowns throughout the quarter, and those who bet the spread were also on the edge of their seats, with the Cowboys closing as a 5.5-point favorite.

Trailing 31-19 at the two-minute warning, Cousins found Reed for another score to send the total over. The teams combined for five touchdowns in the final 15 minutes, as the 34 points marked the second-highest scoring fourth quarter this season.

Final score: Cowboys 31, Redskins 26 (Total goes over)

Washington Huskies at Washington State Cougars

Closing line: Over/under 62.5

Much to the dismay of the 76 percent of bettors who took the over, the total ended up going under by half a point. It certainly didn’t look like there was any chance of that happening after Washington took a 28-3 lead in the first quarter.

More than anything, what ended up costing those on the over was Washington State’s inability to finish drives. The Cougars had three drives reach inside the Washington 10-yard line that they didn’t end up scoring on.

Final score: Washington 45, Washington State 17 (Game goes under)

Michigan Wolverines at Ohio State Buckeyes

Closing line: Over/under 45.5

The 113th edition of “The Game” had everything — a College Football Playoff berth on the line, a game that lived up to the incredible hype, overtime and plenty of controversy. It also ended up as a tough beat for those who took the under.

After Ohio State failed to take the lead with a touchdown on its final drive, Buckeyes kicker Tyler Durbin — who had missed his first two field goal attempts of the day — tied it up at 17 apiece with one second left in regulation. Michigan’s Jourdan Lewis put a scare into the home fans at the Horseshoe with a 45-yard kick return on the final play of the fourth quarter, but was tackled at the Ohio State 43-yard line. The game was heading to overtime, the last thing anyone who bet the under wanted to hear.

Ohio State took just two plays to find the end zone and went ahead 24-17. Those 25 yards marked the longest TD drive of the game for the Buckeyes. Now Michigan needed a touchdown to extend the game, while the 51 percent on the under needed a stop. It all came down to a fourth-and-goal from the 5-yard line, as Wilton Speight would find Amara Darboh in the back of the end zone, forcing a second overtime. That touchdown sent the total over, as bettors on the under came up a little short.

Final score: Ohio State 30, Michigan 27 in 2 OT (Game goes over)

Minnesota Golden Gophers at Wisconsin Badgers

Closing line: Wisconsin -14

If you had Minnesota at +14, a push had to feel like a loss after this one ended. At halftime, the Gophers led 17-7 and were seeking to end their 12-game losing streak against Wisconsin. If you include the 14-point spread, the 43 percent who took Minnesota had a 24-point cushion at this point.

After a Badgers field goal, the score was 17-10 heading into the fourth. However, Minnesota couldn’t stop the run down the stretch, allowing 136 yards and three touchdowns on the ground in the final quarter. The last two scores came within a 27-second span, making this push a tough pill to swallow for those on the underdog.

Final score: Wisconsin 31, Minnesota 17 (Game pushes)

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