- HiPenalty glitch on final play of Seahawks-49ers impacted Deebo Samuel reception prop…
On October 29, 2023, during the final play of the San Francisco 49ers’ 31-13 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, a controversial penalty glitch on a late-game play impacted Deebo Samuel’s reception prop bet, sparking confusion and frustration among sports bettors and fans alike. The issue arose after a late flag was thrown on the Seahawks’ defense during a meaningless final play, where the 49ers were simply attempting to run out the clock, resulting in a significant shift in the betting landscape for Deebo Samuel’s reception totals.
The Play and the Glitch
The incident occurred during the final minute of the game, with the 49ers already comfortably ahead. San Francisco was in a kneel-down situation to wind out the clock when quarterback Brock Purdy threw a short pass to Deebo Samuel. Samuel caught the ball, adding to his reception total for the game, but shortly after, a flag was thrown for a defensive penalty on the Seahawks—defensive pass interference (DPI). At first glance, the penalty appeared to be a routine call, but the glitch in the system occurred when the NFL officiating crew mistakenly flagged the play as part of a sequence that extended the game for a brief moment.
While the final score and result of the game were unaffected, the glitch had a major impact on the statistical outcomes of prop bets, especially for Deebo Samuel. Many sportsbooks use official game data to settle bets on individual player performances, including receiving yards, touchdowns, and receptions. The reception prop for Deebo Samuel was one of the most hotly contested bets, with the line set at a specific number of receptions.
The Prop Bet Impact
Deebo Samuel entered the game with a modest total of 3 receptions for 38 yards. However, the additional pass reception on the final play pushed his total to 4 catches, which was significant for those who had bet on whether he would surpass or fall short of this number. With the flag thrown, some sportsbooks, in an attempt to settle the bet, initially ruled that the reception should not count, as it came in the final moments of a game where the outcome was no longer in question and was deemed an inconsequential “garbage time” catch.
Yet, the technical aspect of the glitch was that the pass interference penalty resulted in an automatic first down for the 49ers, meaning that the play technically did count, despite the situation. This left some sportsbooks facing a dilemma: how to settle the bets on Samuel’s receptions, with some users claiming that the reception should not be counted due to the flag being thrown in a non-competitive situation, while others argued it was part of the official game action.
Confusion Among Bettors and Sportsbooks
The controversy sparked heated debate among bettors, especially those who had placed wagers on Samuel’s reception total. Some sportsbooks adjusted their rules mid-game, while others took longer to decide whether the final reception should count toward the total. In the end, sportsbooks that adhered to official NFL statistics ruled that the reception did count, which resulted in bettors who had wagered on Samuel’s over-reception total for the game winning their bets, while those on the under lost.
For many, this penalty glitch served as a reminder of how unexpected technicalities, combined with the subjective nature of how sportsbooks settle bets, can sometimes leave bettors feeling uneasy and confused about their outcomes. Though the glitch did not change the outcome of the game itself, it certainly affected the betting experience for many, sparking calls for better clarification on how “garbage time” plays should be handled in prop betting markets.
Conclusion
The penalty glitch on the final play of the Seahawks-49ers game added an unexpected twist to the betting landscape, particularly for Deebo Samuel’s reception prop bet. While the Seahawks-49ers outcome was never in doubt, the technicalities surrounding the reception—and the penalties—highlight the complexities of modern sports betting. Bettors and sportsbooks alike are left to reassess how such scenarios should be handled to avoid future confusion, especially when the stakes are high.
