Saints -4.5 Second Half Spread vs. Panthers Possibly Most Brutal Betting Loss of Year

New Orleans held the Panthers offense to zero second-half points, but still couldn't cover.

The Saints shut out the Panthers offense in the second half of their 12-9 victory on Monday night, yet New Orleans still wasn't able to cover the 4.5-point spread for the final two quarters. And Drew Brees and Co. didn't have a lack of opportunities, either. 

New Orleans was set to cover early in the fourth quarter, seizing a five-point lead on an Alvin Kamara touchdown run to go up 12-7. But Brees threw an interception on the ensuing two-point try, which was returned to the end zone by Carolina defensive back Donte Jackson for a pick-two. The two-point return was just the second of its kind in the NFL history, and it swung the second-half spread back in the favor of Panthers' bettors. With 12 minutes to play, the Saints led 12-9. 

.@_DJack01 just returned the 2-point conversion 98 YARDS TO THE HOUSE!!!

📺: #NOvsCAR on ESPN https://t.co/gDnkWZyPcD

— NFL (@NFL) December 18, 2018

The Saints had a second golden opportunity at covering the 4.5-point line in the final minutes. New Orleans marched down into Carolina territory, and faced a third-and-four inside the Panthers' five with 1:51 remaining. An end-around gave wideout Tommylee Lewis a corner to the end zone, but a dive toward the pylon popped the ball out of Lewis's arms and through the end zone.

A touchdown or field goal on the possession would have brought the Saints over the 4.5-point 2H spread. The fumble capped New Orleans's lead at three, though, providing one of the worst Monday night bad beats of the season.

The Saints fumble into the end zone!@Panthers will take over at the 20 😱

📺: #NOvsCAR on ESPN https://t.co/bUyXcG6Dsb

— NFL (@NFL) December 18, 2018

The Saints advanced to an NFC-best 12–2 with the victory, placing them in pole position for the top seed in the conference. But that won't provide much solace to New Orleans bettors, who suffered a pair of bad breaks en route to a painful gambling loss.