NFL Week 7 Heroes and Villains

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. Let's take a look at Week 7.

Villain: Replay officials

The Los Angeles Chargers could not catch a break in the final seconds of their road trip to Nashville. The 2.5-point favorites trailed by three when Philip Rivers found Austin Ekeler across the middle of the field with 44 seconds remaining. The running back scurried 16 yards into the end zone—or did he?

Replay officials overturned the call on the field and put the ball on the 1-yard line. Melvin Gordon entered the game to punch it into the end zone, but again replay officials overturned the call of a touchdown. On the next play officials ruled Gordon down by contact at the 1-yard line. For the third straight play, review overturned the on-field call. Wesley Woodyard forced a fumble before Gordon's knee hit the ground, they determined, and the reversal secured the Titans' victory. The Chargers failed to cover by a half-point thanks to three consecutive overturned calls.

Hero: Tropical Storm Nestor

The Washington Redskins needed some help from Mather Nature to cover the spread for the first time since their season opener. Ten-point home dogs to the undefeated 49ers, Tropical Storm Nestor did just enough to slow down San Francisco.

The soaked end zone grass was spared from any touchdowns during the torrential downpour, and Jimmy Garoppolo's best shot at a touchdown was intercepted. Three field goals kept a zero in San Francisco's loss column, but the Skins covered, and the under hit by 30 points. Weather bettors were handsomely rewarded.

Villain: Andy Dalton

Whatever little support Andy Dalton still had from a select few Bengals fans is gone after a disastrous fourth quarter against the Jaguars.

The Bengals led 10-9 entering the fourth quarter, on the precipice of giving Zac Taylor his first win as Cincinnati's head coach. Dalton had different plans. The Red Rifle threw three interceptions in six passes, including on returned for a touchdown, to give the Jaguars a 17-point advantage, far too much to overcome and cover the 4.5-point spread.

Hero: Teddy Bridgewater

The Saints quarterback may be creating a controversy in New Orleans. Will they keep Drew Brees on the sideline once he's healthy? Doubtful. Should they keep him on the sideline? Maybe.

Teddy Bridgewater is a covering machine. The Saints were 4.5-point underdogs in Chicago on Sunday afternoon, and they turned a two-point halftime lead into an 11-point victory. Bridgewater finished the day with 281 passing yards, a pair of scores, a 67.8 QBR and his fifth straight win as the Saints starter.

Bridgewater is now 16-2 against the spread as an underdog and 28-7 against the spread overall. Don't be an idiot. Bet on Bridgewater whenever you can.

---

Who will be the heroes and villains of Week 8? Bet your NFL opinions at BetAmerica!