Adam Vinatieri cost bettors a bundle in Week 9

Every NFL Sunday there are players that make and break hearts across America. Our weekly Heroes and Villains column turns the spotlight on the players who made, and lost, money for bettors.

Hero: Jake Elliot

Few seemingly inconsequential 25-yard field goals have ever been more exhilarating than Jake Elliot’s chip shot in the final seconds of the Eagles’ 22-14 victory over the Chicago Bears.

Philadelphia (-5) was in control as soon as the ball was kicked off. Chicago gained just nine yards of offense in 20 first half plays. Mitch Trubisky showed just enough life in the fourth quarter to make the game fun for casual viewers. A pair of David Montgomery touchdowns put the Bears within five points, creating a push.

As Philly bettors feared the Eagles would take the air out of the ball, Carson Wentz connected with his tight ends for two big third down conversions. The third time was the charm for Eagles’ bettors. Miles Sanders was stopped short of the first down with less than a minute to play. A Bears’ comeback would have been improbable, but Doug Pederson wanted the comfort of an eight-point lead. Eliot delivered that lead and a three-point cover.

Villain: Adam Vinatieri

The old man looked like an old man when the Colts needed him to win the game. The most clutch kicker in the history of the National Football League had an opportunity for another game-winner. A week after he gave the Indianapolis Colts a victory with a field goal in the final seconds, Vinatieri pulled the ball hard left. The Steelers won 26-24 and covered the one-point spread.

It may not have been entirely Vinatieri’s fault. Laces out, Finkle.

Hero: Russell Wilson

While Patrick Mahomes stayed on the sideline and Aaron Rodgers struggled in Los Angeles, Wilson made his MVP case by throwing for 378 yards and five touchdowns.

Like many Tampa Bay games this season, it did not take long to turn into a shoot out. A 45-yard field goal by Matt Gay tied the game and hit the over with 5:22 to play. It took three plays for Wilson to respond, connecting with DK Metcalfe for a 75-yard score. The Bucs were not done just yet, equalizing the game in the final minute to force overtime. Wilson would not give Bruce Arians’ offense another chance to score, driving the length of the field in just over three minutes before connecting with Jacob Hollister for a score, his second of the game, to give the Seahawks their seventh win of the season and a two-point cover.

Villain: Sam Darnold

The tanking Miami Dolphins quickly earned the title “worst team in the NFL.” If they’re the worst team in the NFL, what are the New York Jets?

The Fins were 3.5-point dogs in the battle of AFC East cellar dwellers. New York fans who thought it was easy money forgot how easily Sam Darnold can turn the ball over in Adam Gase’s offense. The first happened after a touchdown was overturned. Desperate to finish the drive with a touchdown, Darnold shot put the ball right to the Miami defense.

Somehow, that wasn’t his worst turnover of the day. Appreciate Darnold’s hustle as the ball flies right past him and out of the end zone for a safety.

Thanks to Darnold’s efforts, at least one moneyline ticket for the Miami Dolphins was cashed in 2019.

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