Raiders’ Late Field Goal Sparks Outrage Among Bettors After Wild Finish vs. Broncos
Sunday night in Las Vegas ended with fireworks - just not the kind Broncos bettors were hoping for.
With just seconds left in a game that looked all but wrapped up, the Las Vegas Raiders kicked a field goal that didn’t change the outcome on the scoreboard, but absolutely rocked the betting world. The Denver Broncos walked off with a 24-17 win, but the final score - and how it got there - has triggered a wave of controversy, especially among those who had Denver covering the 8.5-point spread.
Let’s break down what happened in those chaotic final moments.
A Wild Ending in Vegas
The Broncos were in control late, leading 24-14 with the ball and the clock in their favor. All they had to do was kneel it out. But with just four seconds left, things took a strange turn.
Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett had just connected with Tyler Lockett on a 26-yard pass, pushing Las Vegas to Denver’s 33-yard line. That set up a last-gasp play - not to win the game, but to make something happen before the final whistle.
Then came the penalty that flipped everything on its head.
As the Raiders tried to get up and spike the ball, a Denver defender was still tangled with the ball carrier, and the officials hit the Broncos with a delay-of-game penalty. That moved the ball five yards closer, and with four seconds left, Raiders head coach Pete Carroll made a surprising decision: send out Daniel Carlson for a 46-yard field goal attempt.
Carlson drilled it as time expired. The Raiders still lost, but the final score of 24-17 meant they covered the spread - and that’s where the outrage began.
Betting Fallout and Public Outcry
The field goal had no impact on the outcome of the game. The Raiders were still two possessions behind. But for anyone who had money on the Broncos to cover, it was a gut punch.
The reaction was swift and loud, especially from Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, who posted a viral rant on social media calling it "the worst beat of all time." He didn’t hold back, demanding investigations into the Raiders and Pete Carroll - even going so far as to say Carroll “should be in prison.”
Now, let’s be clear: this wasn’t a case of a coach trying to cheat the system. But it was definitely an eyebrow-raising move.
Kicking a field goal down by 10 with four seconds left? It’s not something you see every Sunday.
And when that kick ends up flipping the betting result, it’s going to get people talking - and yelling.
Carroll’s Rough Start in Vegas Continues
This bizarre ending is just the latest chapter in what’s been a tough year for Pete Carroll in his first season at the helm in Las Vegas. The Raiders are now 2-11, a far cry from the expectations that followed Carroll’s hiring.
While the team has shown flashes of competitiveness, they’ve struggled to close games and find consistency. Sunday’s finish, while dramatic, only added to the frustration - both for fans of the team and for those who had money riding on the spread.
The Raiders now head to Philadelphia to face the defending Super Bowl champions, and with the season slipping away, Carroll and his staff are searching for answers.
Bottom Line
In terms of playoff implications, Sunday’s game didn’t move the needle. But in the world of sports betting, it was seismic. A meaningless field goal on paper became one of the most talked-about moments of the NFL weekend - not because it changed who won, but because of how it changed who covered.
For bettors, it’s a reminder that in the NFL, it’s never over until the clock hits zero. And sometimes, even then, the drama is just getting started.