Vikings and Titans NFL Wild Card Weekend Upsets Of Brady And Brees Show Dangers of Betting Chalk

It does not take a lot of gravitas to place money on Tom Brady and Drew Brees, despite the former’s lackluster season. But those who went against the grain were rewarded. Tennessee and Minnesota’s upset road victories against two of the best quarterbacks of all-time are a reminder of the unpredictability of the NFL playoffs, and how recent performance can sometimes trump all.

The Titans defeated the Patriots 20-13 Saturday, largely because New England could not stop Derrick Henry, who ran for 182 yards and one touchdown. But the game came down to Tennessee’s second quarter goal line stop of the Patriots and one Ryan Tannehill throw. The Patriots struggled in the red zone all season, converting just 49.21 percent of their chances, good for 26th in the league. Unsurprisingly, their woes carried over to Saturday, where they could not score a touchdown from the 1-yard line on three opportunities. The Patriots did kick a field goal, but it was still a one-possession game. Tennessee scored a touchdown on its next drive, and never looked back.

Still, the Patriots appeared destined to get the ball back one last time late in the fourth quarter. But Ryan Tannehill converted a key 3rd down pass to tight end Anthony Firkser, resulting in a new set of downs. Much like all season, Tannehill made the play he needed to make.

There’s no doubt Tannehill outperformed Brady this year. The previously unimpressive veteran won seven of his 10 starts and led the league with a 117.5 QB rating. So it should come as no surprise he was able to convert with the season on the line. History does not dictate the present.