The ending of Sunday’s Broncos-Raiders game didn’t just break hearts in Las Vegas - it sent shockwaves through the betting world, leaving more than a few fans (and bettors) furious. One of the most vocal? Dave Portnoy, who didn’t hold back after watching what he called the “worst beat of all time” unfold in real time.
Let’s set the stage: Denver came into the game as a 7.5-point favorite. With under a minute to play and a 24-14 lead, it looked like Broncos bettors were about to cash in. But what happened next wasn’t just a bad beat - it was a masterclass in late-game chaos that turned a two-score cushion into a seven-point win, and a betting win into a gut-punch loss.
It started with a 23-yard field goal by Will Lutz in the fourth quarter that put Denver up 24-7. With the game seemingly in hand, backup quarterback Kenny Pickett - stepping in for the Raiders - led a quick drive that ended with a 25-yard touchdown strike to Shedrick Jackson. That made it 24-14, and while it didn’t change the outcome for the win column, it cracked the door open just enough to make things interesting for the spread.
Then came the final sequence - and the firestorm.
The Raiders, down by 10 and with the clock ticking, converted a clutch third-and-3 to keep the drive alive. Pickett followed that up with a 26-yard dart to Tyler Lockett, moving the Raiders into field goal range with just seconds remaining. But it was what happened after the play that really sparked the controversy.
Broncos safety Brandon Jones was flagged for delay of game after tackling Lockett, a call that stopped the clock with five seconds left. That gave the Raiders just enough time to send out Daniel Carlson, who drilled a 46-yard field goal to make it 24-17.
Game over. Raiders lose.
But Broncos bettors? They lose too - by the hook.
The reaction on social media was immediate and fiery. Portnoy, never one to mince words, went off on X (formerly Twitter), claiming the game was “rigged” and calling for an investigation into the Raiders and even Pete Carroll - despite Carroll being on the opposite sideline. His rant was raw, emotional, and very much in line with what any bettor who lost on that final kick was feeling in that moment.
But while the betting world was melting down, the Broncos were all business in the postgame. Head coach Sean Payton praised his team’s focus and effort, especially with the postseason picture coming into focus.
“Our team’s done a good job of really focusing and playing for each other the next week,” Payton said. “They’re well aware of what they’re playing for.”
And what they’re playing for is significant. With an 11-2 record and a 10-game winning streak, Denver sits atop the AFC West and has a real shot at hosting the AFC Championship Game - something that seemed unthinkable earlier in the season.
Still, Payton isn’t getting ahead of himself. He emphasized that the team’s focus remains on the next opponent - in this case, the Green Bay Packers, who they’ll face on Sunday.
So while Broncos fans are celebrating a hard-fought win and dreaming of playoff football in January, bettors who backed Denver minus the points are left wondering how a game that looked so secure slipped away in the final seconds.
It’s a reminder - brutal as it may be - that in the NFL, the game isn’t over until the clock hits zero. And in the world of betting, the difference between joy and heartbreak can come down to one late flag, one final kick, and a half-point on the spread.