The Favorites $40K NFL Contest Prize Went Down to the Wire, Ended With 2 Bad Beats

The Favorites Podcast Pick 'Em Contest, which handed $40,000 to the winner in partnership with bet365, had an insane ending.

The contest, in which participants picked five games against the spread every week, came down to three entries. The final three were Jesse, Nolan and Sam.

Jesse had a one-game lead on Nolan and Sam heading into the final week.

Nolan selected the Raiders, Titans, Bears, Falcons and Rams. Jesse picked the Raiders, Titans, Bears, Falcons and Bills. Both went 3-2 for the week.

Sam had to go 4-1 to win the contest. He picked up three wins with Buffalo, Green Bay and the New York Giants. The two others were absolutely devastating losses.

Sam had the Seahawks -2.5 who beat Arizona by one point. Arizona scored a fake field goal touchdown in the fourth quarter. Seattle won on a two-point conversion instead of going for the tie. The Panthers +4.5, his other pick, lost because the Panthers went scoreless in the game after getting a touchdown called back due to a penalty and a fumble at the goal line.

Congratulations to jesse_goldberg on winning the first The Favorites Podcast contest and $40,000. Sorry to sammatney13 who will win $10,000 after finishing second and Nolan_K who gets $5,000 for finishing in third.

Be sure to check out the Favorites every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. If you're in the New York metro area, you can catch a live airing of the podcast during this weekend's NFL wild card games.