Romo’s blunders cost Dallas, not books

In another prime-time game high on drama, it was amazing to watch Tony Romo lead the New York Jets to a comeback victory.

After looking like a winner for three quarters, Romo stole the show in the fourth by fumbling near the goal line and throwing an inexcusable interception. The enigmatic quarterback was not solely responsible for the Dallas Cowboys' latest debacle, but he earned the dunce cap.

In the end, all the Cowboys accomplished in a 27-24 loss to the Jets was a point-spread cover that benefited the bottom line for Las Vegas sports books.

The Jets were one of the most popular bets on the board Sunday, with one-sided wagering driving the line to 6½ after it opened at 4. It was a pivotal game for many bettors and the books in Week 1 of the NFL.

"It ends up a very good day with the Cowboys' cover. It defines the day for us, from a small or fair winner to a very good winner," said Jimmy Vaccaro, director of operations for Lucky's sports books. "I thought there would be money showing for Dallas, especially at 6, and I was completely fooled. There was no buyback on the Cowboys."

But Romo gave one back with two turnovers. Dallas lost after holding a 14-point fourth-quarter lead for the first time in franchise history, allowing some Jets bettors to cash money-line parlays and teasers as consolation.

Underdogs are 8-5-1 against the spread this week, and six 'dogs won outright. The Cowboys, plus-250 on the money line, blew a 24-10 lead and their upset bid.

Romo passed for 342 yards and two touchdowns, so he had his moments of excellence. But not in the last minute, when he floated a duck directly to Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis, whose return set up Nick Folk's winning 50-yard field goal.

Dallas was also victimized by a blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown with five minutes to go. What it came down to, though, was the quarterback who made more big plays -- for the other team. Mark Sanchez tried to lose it, but Romo topped him, and nobody can blame Jessica Simpson or Wade Phillips this time.

We've witnessed splendid quarterback play, from the Aaron Rodgers-Drew Brees duel to unusual suspects Cam Newton and Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Newton, the No. 1 draft pick, deserves credit for an outstanding debut. He passed for 422 yards and walked off with a push as the Carolina Panthers, 7-point underdogs at Arizona, came up just short, 28-21. Time will tell if it was fluke.

Some of us suspected the Kansas City Chiefs were headed for a fall, and the manner in which they were massacred 41-7 by Buffalo was reassuring. Are the Chiefs going under their win total of 7½? What seemed a solid bet a week ago looks a lot better now.

Bettors ganged up to back the Bills and doubled their money. It's obviously rare when a 4-point underdog wins by 34, but four touchdown passes by Fitzpatrick sparked Buffalo in the biggest decision of the eight morning games for several books.

"There was a ton of sharp play and a ton of square play, as well," MGM Resorts sports book director Jay Rood said. "I was looking at it like a play against the Chiefs. I've been saying Kansas City is a mess."

The Pittsburgh Steelers were not as weak as the Chiefs, but the Indianapolis Colts minus Peyton Manning might be equally feeble. The Colts, who closed as 9-point underdogs after the line moved about 10 points in a month, were crushed 34-7 at Houston.

"The Colts were a loser no matter how high we went," Vaccaro said.

The Baltimore Ravens were 1½-point favorites in a 35-7 blowout that dropped Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to 0-1 since his fairytale wedding.

Donovan McNabb bombed in his debut in purple, passing for a pathetic 39 yards, but the Minnesota Vikings covered as 9½-point 'dogs in a 24-17 loss at San Diego.

The flood of money on St. Louis proved sharp as a spoon, as the Rams, 4-point 'dogs, were whipped 31-13 by Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Jacksonville and Washington also hit the win column for the underdogs. In tonight's doubleheader, New England is a 7½-point favorite at Miami, and Denver is a 3-point home favorite over Oakland.

"There still isn't a bet on the Dolphins," Vaccaro said. "It's September and we put it up in June."

n BOTTOM LINES -- Ten of 14 games went over the totals, with Eagles-Rams a push at 44.

The Las Vegas Hilton SuperContest, with a $1,500 entry fee, drew 517 entrants, surpassing the previous record of 505 in 2005. The winner will receive $310,200.

Contact sports betting columnist Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. He co-hosts the "Las Vegas Sportsline" weeknights at midnight on KDWN-AM (720) and thelasvegassportsline.com.