For the first time in 11 months, the Detroit Lions are enjoying a Victory Monday.
Not so much for the betting public.
Matt Prater nailed a 39-yard field goal as time expired, ending Detroit’s 11-game losing streak.
And because of that futility, the sportsbooks won big along with the Lions in the 26-23 triumph at Arizona.
The Lions moved to 1-2 in an attempt to salvage an already sideways season but lost plenty of money for the public.
However, these are likely some of the same bettors who have been cashing in by betting against the Lions for quite some time.
FanDuel bettors overwhemingly took Arizona
In numbers reported Sunday morning, FanDuel Sportsbook had the Lions as the most bet-against team on the day’s slate.
The book reported that 90% of bets and 88% of money were on the Cardinals to cover a 5.5-point spread. Those percentages were the highest of any game on Sunday’s board.
In addition, 81% of bets and 90% of the money was on the Arizona moneyline, despite a -240 moneyline line as kickoff neared.
Similar story at BetRivers Sportsbook
One of FanDuel’s competitors reported similar rough results for bettors.
According to partners BetRivers and PlaySugarHouse, 87% of tickets picked the Cardinals to cover a 6-point spread, the second-most popular bet of the day.
In addition, 91% of moneyline tickets picked Arizona to win outright.
The Lions’ win also definitely crushed a lot of teasers, parlay bets with spreads “teased” to more favorable odds. Bettors often will tease lines involving favorites they consider a lock to win.
After 11 straight losses, Detroit’s opponent certainly qualifies there.
Prater’s kick cashed in MotorCity Casino bonus
Prater’s kick didn’t just make the Lions a winner. It also helped some local fans who took advantage of a bonus.
MotorCity Casino had an odds boost at its FanDuel Sportsbook last week that pushed the odds in favor of those who took the Lions total at over 24.5 points.
The self-service betting terminal offer boosted the odds to +140. There was a $200 maximum bet, with only one allowed per customer.
Of course, Prater’s kick pushed the bet to a win.
The score could’ve helped numb the tough loss of MotorCity’s other odds boost: A three-time moneyline parlay offer for the New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, and Philadelphia Eagles.
The Eagles bungled overtime against the Cincinnati Bengals, tying the game and ruining the boosted +250 parlay.
Injuries muddying Week 4 vs. Saints
The New Orleans Saints will be hungry against the Lions this week after losing 37-30 late Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers.
Drew Brees and crew will visit Detroit, but No. 1 wide receiver Michael Thomas could be out once again because of a high ankle sprain.
Thomas, who set the league’s single-season receptions record last year, suffered the injury during Week 1 against Tampa Bay.
However, the Saints did not place him on injured reserve, meaning he could suit up Sunday at Ford Field.
Tight end Jared Cook and guard Andrus Peat also went down on Sunday night. Their status for Sunday is uncertain.
