The Browns played betting spoilers in win over the 49ers with PJ Walker at quarterback
The Cleveland Brown handed the San Francisco 49ers their first loss of the season Sunday, stunning a large majority of the betting public in the process.
With Deshaun Watson ruled out earlier in the week, the Browns were 9.5-point underdogs at home against an opponent they weren’t likely to draw a ton of action against regardless. But once it was announced Watson would miss the game and journeyman quarterback PJ Walker was starting in his place, the public pounced on a spread that grew from 4.5 points.
According to BetMGM’s John Ewing, 87% of tickets were on the Niners to cover. That was the top bet across all of Sunday’s games, according to Action Network’s Darren Rovell.
87% of bets were on @49ers -9.5.
Niners losing was a great outcome for the sportsbook. pic.twitter.com/KUi3cjhEVM
— John Ewing (@johnewing) October 15, 2023
The #1 bet by tickets and money today?
49ers -9.5
Browns (+425) win , 19-17.
Total of 36 pushes.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) October 15, 2023
It was clear soon after the start of the second half that San Francisco was going to have a hard time completing the cover.
After the Niners jumped ahead 10-0 in the second quarter, Cleveland went on a 13-0 run to take a three-point lead into the fourth. Bettors had one last gasp after the Niners jumped back ahead 17-13, but San Francisco’s offense never settled in against a tough Browns defense and that was the last time they scored.
49ers moneyline bettors still had a chance for a win on the team’s last drive, but kicker Jake Moody missed a 41-yard field goal in the final seconds to give Cleveland the win.
THE BROWNS WIN ON THE 49ERS MISSED FIELD GOAL. #SFvsCLE pic.twitter.com/QbSddKlcTX
— NFL (@NFL) October 15, 2023
Bettors are going to have a tough time stomaching this one.