TORONTO — If it was indeed the final game of Tom Brady's illustrious NFL career, the veteran quarterback went out a winner for some Proline bettors.
The Dallas Cowboys defeated Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-14 in an NFL wildcard playoff game Monday night. Brady finished 35-of-66 passing for 351 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
But 93 per cent of clients backed the over of 273.5 passing yards for Brady, and thus cashed. So too did the 86 per cent who backed Dallas's Dak Prescott throwing for more than 253.5 yards in the contest.
Prescott was 25-of-33 passing for 305 yards and four TDs. He also ran for a touchdown.
According to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp., 54 per cent of bettors backed Dallas at minus-2.5 while 62 per cent supported the Cowboys on the money line. And 78 per cent of customers backed the over.
Brady completed his third season with Tampa Bay and the 23rd of his NFL career. The 45-year-old is slated to become a free agent, prompting speculation regarding whether he'll retire and move into the television booth, return to the Buccaneers or continue playing with another franchise.
On Sunday, the Buffalo Bills got past the Miami Dolphins 34-31. Eighty-seven per cent of customers had Buffalo winning the game but 63 per cent also expected the Bills to cover the 14.5-point spread.
But 75 per cent of bettors successfully predicted the game would land over 44.5 points.
In another Sunday playoff contest, the New York Giants upset the Minnesota Vikings 31-24. Just 38 per cent of players predicted a New York victory while 30 per cent had the Giants at plus-1.5.
And 65 per cent of customers successfully predicted the total going over 48.5 points.
There certainly was much rejoicing Sunday when Cincinnati defensive end Sam Hubbard returned a fumble recovery 98 yards for a TD in the fourth quarter of Cincinnati's 24-17 wildcard victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Hubbard's score broke a 17-17 tie.
A whopping 82 per cent of clients had Cincinnati winning the contest but 32 per cent took Baltimore at plus-9.5. However, 82 per cent also successfully predicted there'd be more than 38.5 points scored in the game.
On Saturday, San Francisco outscored Seattle 25-6 in the second half en route to a 41-23 playoff victory. That was good news for the 71 per cent of customers who had the 49ers winning while 81 per cent liked them at minus-7.5 odds.
Also on Saturday, the Jacksonville Jaguars rallied from a 27-0 deficit to edge the Los Angeles Chargers 31-30, the third-largest comeback in NFL playoff history. That was sweet music for the 57 per cent of bettors who picked the Jaguars to win while 51 per cent had them at plus-1.5 points.
One bettor turned a $98 Live Moneyline wager into a $4,508 payout.
Meanwhile, both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors lost their games Saturday night.
Boston edged Toronto 4-3 as 46 per cent of customers had the Bruins winning the contest.
And in the NBA, Atlanta dispatched Toronto 114-103. Just 38 per cent of customers predicted the Hawks' win but 57 per cent liked them at plus-8.5 points.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 18, 2023.
The Canadian Press
