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On This Day in Sports Odds History
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1958 (NFL): "The Greatest Game Ever Played" - the Baltimore Colts win the NFL Champiopnship after defeating the New York Giants 23-17 at Yankee Stadium in the first ever sudden-death overtime game in NFL history. The Colts covered as a 3½-point favorite after Alan Ameche's 1-yard rushing touchdown ended the game in overtime. Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas passed for 349 yards and one touchdown.
1975 (NFL): In an NFC Divisional round playoff game, Roger Staubach connects with Drew Pearson on a 50-yard touchdown pass with 24 seconds left in the game to give the Dallas Cowboys a 17-14 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. The Cowboys were a 8-point road underdog to the #1 seeded Vikings, who were the 2-time defending NFC champions. Staubach coined the term 'Hail Mary' for a desperation pass after the game when he said "I guess it's a Hail Mary pass. You throw it up and pray he catches it."
1979 (NBA): Rookies Magic Johnson and Larry Bird face each other in the NBA for the first time as the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Boston Celtics 123-105. The Lakers covered as a 4½-point home favorite. Johnson led all scorers with 23 points and had 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals while Bird had 16 points 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals.
2003 (NFL): In the final week of the regular season, the 3-12 Arizona Cardinals knock the Minnesota Vikings out of a playoff spot with a dramatic 28-yard touchdown from Josh McCown to Nate Pool on the final play of the game to give the Cardinals a 18-17 win. The Cardinals were a 7½-point home underdog and the game stayed under the total of 45½-points. Minnesota became the first team since the 1978 Washington Redskins to start the season 6-0 and miss the playoffs.
2008 (NFL): The Detroit Lions become the 1st NFL team to go winless in a 16-game season after losing 31-21 to the Green Bay Packers. The Packers failed to cover as 11-point home favorites and the game went over the total of 41½-points. The Lions went 7-9 against the spread on the season and their season win total was set at 6½.
