Super Bowl Betting History: 5 Worst Bad Beats, Including Patrick Mahomes Kneel Downs & The Falcons

Written By Eli Hershkovich | Published at January 29, 2025

Everyone betting on Super Bowl 59 odds aims to cash their tickets — even the longshots. However, responsible gambling should be at the front of your radar. After all, there have been a bevy of Super Bowl bad beats in recent memory, including one from the Chiefs vs. 49ers in Super Bowl 54. Let's dive into that among the five most notable crushing defeats in "Big Game" history.

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Super Bowl bad beats

5. Super Bowl 54: Patrick Mahomes Rushing Prop

The market for Mahomes' rushing yards closed at 29.5 at most shops. The game's MVP generated 44 before the Chiefs' final offensive possession. Mahomes accrued -15 yards on three kneel-downs, landing on 29. For those unfazed by history, you can tackle his rushing yards prop this time.

4. Super Bowl 49: Seahawks (+1) vs. Patriots

Trailing 28-24 with less than 30 seconds left, Seattle was one yard away from taking the lead. While Tom Brady may have had a couple of cracks at sending the game to overtime, Seahawks bettors still would've been sitting pretty. But rather than provide Marshawn Lynch with another crack at the potential game-winning touchdown, Russell Wilson dropped back to pass. Moments later, Patriots corner Malcolm Butler made one of the most remarkable interceptions in Super Bowl history, sealing another title for Brady & Co.

https://twitter.com/bostonsportsinf/status/1752859954627661923

3. Super Bowl 43: Cardinals (First-Half +3) vs. Steelers

Although pushing your bet can be disappointing, it's better than suffering one of the many bad beats in the Super Bowl. Yet that's precisely what happened to those who backed Arizona in the first half.

Kurt Warner & Co. marched inside the Steelers' five-yard line in the waning moments before halftime. This wager would've cashed if the Cardinals tallied a field goal or touchdown. The push above would've occurred even if there had been a missed field goal or a failed fourth-down conversion. Instead, Steelers linebacker James Harrison jumped Warner’s pass, returning it 100 yards for a pick-six. Arizona's first-half bettors were in tears, while the Steelers led by 10 points at the break.

2. Super Bowl 33: Broncos vs. Falcons (O/U 52.5)

This one would've taken the cake without the ensuing lousy beat. The Broncos led 17-6 after three quarters. The ground-centric Falcons, paced by Jamal Anderson, had yet to find the end zone. The under was a wrap, right? RIGHT?

Not so fast. Denver produced two touchdowns in the first five minutes of the final frame, creating a 31-6 cushion. Then, Atlanta received some special teams variance, with Tim Dwight firing off a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Soon after, the Falcons' Terance Mathis reeled in a garbage-time score, pushing the total over 52.5. It remains the second-largest fourth-quarter output in Super Bowl history.

1. Super Bowl 51: Falcons (+3) vs. Patriots

This ranking has a smidge of bias, considering I suffered this bad beat with Atlanta. Still, it's justified.

The Falcons, with now-49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan as their offensive coordinator, held a 28-3 lead near the five-minute mark of the third quarter. Then Brady happened (again). After a touchdown (with a missed extra point), a field goal, Danny Amendola's six-yard score, and James White's two-point conversion, Atlanta was still positioned to ice the game!

Unfortunately, a sack and a holding penalty pushed Matt Ryan's squad out of field goal range. Subsequently, White and Amendola reversed roles to send the game to overtime. Despite failing to lead until the final play, White's walk-off touchdown in the extra session allowed New England bettors to cover miraculously.

https://twitter.com/BeyondtheMnstr/status/1622259318954360837

Super Bowl 59 odds: spread, moneyline, total

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