Dwayne Haskins' late fumble cost bettors big time

Every NFL Sunday there are players who capture and break hearts across America. BetAmerica’s weekly Heroes and Villains feature highlights the players who made and lost money for NFL bettors.

Villain: Dwayne Haskins

Last-second fumbles ruined lives across America just before the holiday season.

In a must-win matchup between the Eagles (-6.5) and Redskins, Dwayne Haskins and Washington put up a valiant fight. The rookie quarterback threw for 261 yards and a pair of touchdowns, as his college coach (and potentially future head coach), Urban Meyer, looked on from the stands.

The Redskins were covering the spread for 59 minutes, but when the final horn sounded, Eagles’ bettors cashed tickets.

You could blame Nigel Bradham for the losing tickets. The game was well in hand and the Eagles did not need the score, but you can’t blame the big fella for wanting to get into the end zone. Blame Haskins for trying to be a hero.

Villain: Jesper Horsted

Haskins’ fumble might not have been the worst last-second goof of the day. Chicago fullback Jesper Horsted forgot one of the most important rules in football—always keep your head on a swivel.

The 3.5-point underdogs were feeling frisky with Mitch Trubisky at Lambeau Field. Down eight points with less than a minute to play, the Bears moved the ball down to the Green Bay 32-yard line with nine seconds on the clock. Jaire Alexander let a receiver get behind him in the end zone, but tipped the ball just enough to prevent the Chicago wide receiver from hauling in the touchdown. Instead of going for one more Hail Mary attempt, Matt Nagy called for a crazy lateral play, one that would have worked if Horsted made one more pitch.

The still image is even more haunting for Bears’ bettors.

Chicago needed a two-point conversion to force overtime, but a score would have given the Bears the cover. Remember kids, never try to be a hero.

Hero: Gardner Minshew

Minshew Mania is back!

With Jacksonville in town for the Raiders’ (-7) final game at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, the Black Hole was poised to carry Jon Gruden’s team to an emotional victory. The autumn winds did not blow the Raiders’ way.

Oakland led by 13 with 30 seconds to play in the third quarter and by 10 with six minutes to play in the fourth quarter. Not only did they fail to cover, but the Raiders lost their final game in the Coliseum outright. In the final five minutes, Mishew orchestrated drives of seven and 11 plays that ended in touchdowns, which lifted the Jags to an improbable 20-16 win and spoiled the Raiders’ season.

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Who will be the heroes and villains of the NFL's Week 16? Bet your opinion at BetAmerica!