In the closing minute of the Cleveland Browns' 10-7 victory over the Houston Texans, Sunday, running back Nick Chubb gave up a wide-open touchdown in order to allow the clock to run out, a decision that crushed bettors.
The Browns, who won by 3-points, were favored by -4.5 at most sportsbooks, according to ESPN. William Hill Sportsbook says 89% of bettors put money on Cleveland with the point spread. Chubb's decision to surrender the final score was a costly one.
"I got a call from the coaches, from [quarterback] Baker [Mayfield] to not score, get a first down to end the game. So that's what I did," Chubb said after the game. "Luckily the run was a little longer because I didn't think about it until the last 10 yards."
He continued to say that it was a difficult decision to make, albeit the right one: "That's the natural instinct to get in the end zone," he said. "Something came into my head ... just go out of bounds. I should've just took a knee or slid to keep the clock running, but it was a split decision."
The Browns are now 6-3, in third place in the AFC North, behind the Ravens and Steelers.
[Via]