The Jaguars are 27-point underdogs to the Broncos on Sunday in Denver, which would tie for the largest point spread in NFL history. A look at previous mega-spreads shows there are plenty of reasons for bettors to take the points.
Of the seven largest spreads on record, the underdog has lost all seven, but covered the number six times.
Here’s a look:
Buccaneers (+27) at Steelers (Dec. 5, 1976)
Score: Steelers, 42-0
Betting result: Favorite cover
This was the Bucs’ 13th loss in what would be an 0-14 expansion season. This one could have been a lot worse, but the Steelers called off the dogs after going up by 42 in the third quarter. Steve Spurrier was the Bucs’ quarterback, throwing for 58 yards. He would play one more game and then go into coaching.
Eagles (+24½) at Patriots (Nov. 25, 2007)
Score: Patriots, 31-28
Betting result: Underdog cover
The Spygate Patriots were 10-0 on the way to an undefeated regular season. They had just beaten the Bills, 56-10, in a Sunday night game, and were a few weeks removed from a 52-7 rout of the Redskins in which Bill Belichick was accused of running up the score. The Eagles started A.J. Feeley in place of the injured Donovan McNabb. Feeley threw for 345 yards and three TDs, and the Eagles led 28-24 after three quarters. A Laurence Maroney TD run and interceptions by Asante Samuel and James Sanders saved the day for the Patriots.
Bengals (+24) at 49ers (Dec. 5, 1993)
Score: 49ers, 21-8
Betting result: Underdog cover
The Niners were coming off consecutive wins of 14, 23, 24, 35 and 25 points, and the Bengals were 1-10. Cincinnati led 8-7 at the half on a safety and two field goals, but the Niners pulled it out on Rickey Watters’ second and third TD runs.
49ers (-23½) at Falcons (Oct. 11, 1987)
Score: 49ers, 25-17
Betting result: Underdog cover
This game was played near the end of the strike replacement weeks, and cracks in the union led Joe Montana, Roger Craig and Dwight Clark back into the 49ers lineup. Still, there were plenty of no-names on each side, and the Falcons kept it close on touchdowns by the likes of Rick Badanjek and John Kamana.
Buccaneers (+23) at Cowboys (Oct. 2, 1977)
Score: Cowboys, 23-7
Betting result: Underdog cover
The Bucs’s losing streak was up to 16 after scoring just three points in each of their first two games in 1977. The Cowboys jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter … then may have lost interest. The Bucs’ Richard “Batman” Wood returned a fumble 37 yards for a TD in the second quarter to send the underdog backers to the windows.
Dolphins (+22½) at Patriots (Dec. 23, 2007)
Score: Patriots, 28-7
Betting result: Underdog cover
Patriots were 14-0 and the Dolphins were 1-13 and coming off their first win of the season, in OT against the Ravens. The Patriots had a 28-0 lead at the half and their backers already were spending the easy money. But the Dolphins scored the only points of the second half, on a pass from Cleo Lemon.
Patriots (-21) at Buccaneers (Dec. 12, 1976)
Score: Patriots, 31-14
Betting result: Underdog cover
This game was the week after the Bucs lost 42-0 to the Steelers in the NFL’s largest spread on record. Spurrier’s final career TD pass, to Morris Owens, gave the Bucs a 14-7 lead at the half. Steve Grogan rallied the Patriots to a 24-point second half, but the cover was out of reach. The Patriots finished the season 11-3, Bucs 0-14.