For the first time in his storied 23-year career, Tom Brady lost a game that he led by at least 17 points. His turnover-filled collapse and 11-point loss to the Cincinnati Bengals was one of just two games Sunday that ended with a deficit greater than one score.
The other involved the Arizona Cardinals blowing a 9-3 second-half lead to lose to the Denver Broncos by nine after being forced to play the backup quarterback to their backup quarterback.
The remaining nine games all ended with a deficit within one score. As did three of the four games played between Thursday and Saturday. Week 15 underdogs covered in 10 of the 15 total games played before Monday.
If parity is what you wanted, it’s here.
Every underdog covered in the early slate 🤑🤑 pic.twitter.com/97JkwysKZq
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) December 18, 2022
Four underdogs won outright; the Jaguars, Steelers, Lions and Giants. And the biggest underdogs showed the most fight.
The 3-11 Bears picked off MVP favorite Jalen Hurts twice in what was just a five-point loss to the league-leading Eagles. The 1-12-1 Texans forced overtime against the Chiefs just one week after nearly knocking off the Cowboys. Speaking of the Cowboys, they were unable to hold off the underdog this time around, losing in stunning fashion to the Jaguars. The Vikings required the largest comeback in NFL history to beat the 4-9-1 Colts.
The margins have never been smaller between the best and worst teams in the NFL.