An incredibly specific prop bet is being called into question by bettors on social media after Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary appeared to eclipse 25 yards late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Bengals, yet mysteriously finished with an official total of 24.
Singletary’s alternate prop total of 25+ rushing yards was added to a few divisional playoff parlays, and the bettors were left perplexed and frustrated after losing that leg when there’s video evidence to suggest they should have won.
First, let’s start with the play in question. It was 3rd & 7, according to the CBS graphic, and Singletary was up to 19 yards at this point.
Devin Singletary 7-yd rush moves the sticks#Bengals 27 #Bills 10 4ᴛʜ pic.twitter.com/AHZUDEUv5r
— Sᴘᴏʀᴛs 24/7 (@Sports_24x7_) January 22, 2023
Now, here’s where things get confusing.
Singletary appeared to get the first down, which would have meant he rushed for seven yards and was up to 26 for the game. However, the NFL’s official play-by-play for the game says it was actually 3rd & 6 (not 3rd & 7) — and Singletary didn’t get the first down. The play-by-play has him ruled down at the 40, setting up a 4th & 1. That would mean the run was only for five yards, which would leave him at 24 for the game.
Because sportsbooks get their official data from the NFL, that’s the number they used to determine Singletary’s prop. But that was unsatisfactory for bettors who saw with their own two eyes what had transpired.
Exactly!! Saw that too. He easily grabbed the first down for 7 yards.
— Buckeye B (@BuckeyeeeB) January 22, 2023
Update ? @FanDuel pic.twitter.com/ax2Z5wDDtO
— aus (@Ausclay1) January 23, 2023
Should I withdrawal my $$ on @FDSportsbook and take my talents to @DKSportsbook because they screwed us all on this Devin Singletary 25+ yards.
— Rocky Murphy (@RockyMurphyCLE) January 23, 2023
@FanDuel, Singletary clearly goes for 7 yards here to go over 25 rushing yards for the game.
— Patrick Thomas (@OnDugout) January 23, 2023
Hey @kiiLkenny can we bring attention to this? Singletary clearly rushes for 7 yards here late on 3rd and 7 to get the first. @FDSportsbook only gives him 5 yards. Making him finish with 24 yards instead of 26. Originally payed out the 25+ yards and now reversed it. Complete BS https://t.co/0I3dvt2LTh pic.twitter.com/46gKuNH1U5
— кιєяαη (@kberkk) January 23, 2023
Now, here’s the thing. If Singletary had actually been ruled down at the 40 in real game-time, it’d be easy to write this off as a graphic error. The lines on the field are hard to see through the snow. It’s plausible that he came a yard short on 4th and 6.
However, a replay of the game shows Buffalo was actually awarded a first down. The sticks were moved and everything. The 4th down that appears in the official play-by-play never occurred. The very next play was first down.
— Hard Pillz 💊 (@hard_pillz) January 23, 2023
A first down would mean Singletary got the full six yards the NFL’s own play-by-play says was needed for a first, which should have given him exactly 25 yards for the game.
I’ve personally never seen the league go back and adjust the downs in a game after the fact, so it’s hard to say why that would have been done here. Bettors aren’t happy about it.
