Late Field Goal Helps Jaguars Complete Back-Door Cover Vs. Chiefs

Good teams win, but great teams cover. At least that’s what the Jacksonville Jaguars can tell themselves as they prepare for vacation.

The Jags looked like they’d have a chance to knock off the Kansas City Chiefs to advance to the AFC Championship Game on Saturday afternoon, but a pair of turnovers on two of their final three possessions halted that comeback.

It was a heartbreaking stretch for fans in Duval, who didn’t have to deal with Patrick Mahomes for a few possessions. Jags bettors, however, still had reason to celebrate thanks to Jacksonville’s final possession.

Down by 10 points with under a minute remaining, Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson decided to take the points on fourth-and-5 from the Kansas City 30-yard line. Riley Patterson knocked it through to make the score 27-20, and cover the game for Jacksonvile.

The Chiefs entered as 9.5-point favorites at BetMGM Sportsbook. The two late turnovers put them on track to cover for 61% of bettors, which represented 75% of the money.

Thanks to Pederson and Patterson, no dice. Instead, Jaguars bettors, who represented just 25% of the spread handle, got the back-door cover to take home some money headed into the second game of the weekend.