Los Angeles Rams Win Over Cleveland Browns Delivers Bettors Sunday Victory, First Loss for Las Vegas

Posted on: September 23, 2019, 11:29h. 

Last updated on: September 23, 2019, 12:08h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

The Los Angeles Rams’ 20-13 victory over the Cleveland Browns Sunday night capped off a winning National Football League (NFL) week three for sports bettors, their first of the season.

Los Angeles Rams Cleveland Browns NFL odds
The Los Angeles Rams topped the Cleveland Browns on Sunday Night Football. (Image: Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)

The money was on the defending NFC champs Sunday night, as the Rams were spotting the much-hyped Browns just 3.5 points. Cleveland had four tries from inside the five with just seconds remaining to even the score, but the Los Angeles defense was able to close the fence, with the Dawg Pound looking on.

The goal-line stand gave sports bettors their first NFL Sunday win of the season. The Rams-Browns game generated the largest handle of the day, according to several Las Vegas oddsmakers.

“It’s probably the biggest decision of the season so far,” MGM race and sports director Jeff Stoneback told ESPN before kickoff. Stoneback added that around nine times as much money was wagered on the Rams than the Browns.

Major Loss

To explain just how much more money had been placed on the Rams, take William Hill – its sportsbook at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City accepted a $506,000 wager on the Browns prior to kick off. And yet, the sportsbook said it was still rooting for the Rams.

Caesars said more than 81 percent of its bets on the points spread and 76.3 percent of the total money wagered came on the Rams. Station Casino books said the Rams took the most action of any NFL team Sunday.

This game was a massive handle … and almost everything we took live was on the Rams,” William Hill Director of Trading Nick Bogdanovich explained.

ESPN’s David Purdum, who covers all things sports betting for the network, reported several notable Sunday wagers. They included:

$208K moneyline bet on the Minnesota Vikings beating the Oakland Raiders straight up at -370. The wager won, and netted the gambler $56,200.

$390K two-team parlay on the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers at the PointsBet sportsbook in New Jersey. The gamble netted just under $300,000.

Bettors weren’t intimidated by the two large 20+ point spreads being spotted to the lowly Miami Dolphins and New York Jets. The majority of the action still came on the favorites Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots. America’s Team covered in a 31-6 win, but the Pats failed against the Jets in their 30-16 win.

Looking Ahead

Week three caps off tonight, with the Chicago Bears traveling to Washington to play the Redskins. The 0-2 home team is being spotted 5.5 points against the 1-1 Bears. The over/under is at 41 points.

Week four will feature several key games, including an AFC North division matchup, with the Browns visiting the Baltimore Ravens (-5.5), and the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs (-6.5) visiting the 2-0 Detroit Lions.

The largest early point spread is the Rams (-9.5) playing in Tampa Bay against the Buccaneers.