The NFL’s new extra point rule came into effect for bettors of the Tennessee Titans-Washington Redskins game on Saturday.
Tennessee was leading 19-16 when Washington attempted a last-second final play miracle. Josh Johnson’s heave was intercepted by Malcolm Butler, who returned the pass 56 yards for a touchdown. The touchdown made the score 25-16, putting Tennessee up by nine.
In previous seasons, the Titans would have had to attempt an extra point even though there was no time left and such a play would not have affected the outcome. Had they kicked an extra point and made it, they would have won 26-16. But because the NFL now has a rule saying attempting extra points with no time left and the outcome unaffected is unnecessary, the game came to an end.
The initial betting line for the game was Tennessee favored by 10 points. For those who bet the game when the spread was 10 points, the new rule that did not force the Titans to attempt the extra point meant those who took Washington won while those who picked Tennessee giving 10 points lost their bets. Otherwise an extra point could have resulted in a push.
That’s not all. The touchdown by Butler sent the game over the over/under total line. The total opened at 37 and moved to 38 at many books. The game was under by a few points until that TD changed things.
