ed welch
Injuries are part of the game in the NFL, which makes them a huge part of betting on NFL odds. As the best online betting sites schedule heads into Week 3.
Here are some notable injuries to consider when capping the NFL pointspreads and totals:
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers QB
The veteran quarterback left the Steelers’ loss to Seattle Sunday with an elbow injury and it appears as though Roethlisberger will require surgery which will put an end to his 2019 campaign. Roethlisberger was on a bit of a revenge mission this year, losing top receiver Antonio Brown in a bitter feud that sent Brown to Oakland and eventually New England this offseason.
Backup Mason Rudolph was serviceable in replacing Roethlisberger in Week 2, connecting on 12 of 19 passes for 112 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Rudolph will likely get the nod for Week 3’s trip to San Francisco. Oddsmakers have the Steelers set as touchdown underdogs in the Bay Area with the total down to 44 points.
Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints QB
Big Ben wasn’t the only top-tier quarterback getting hurt in Week 2. The Saints elite passer injured his thumb in the team’s loss to the L.A. Rams, leaving him out of order for six weeks. Brees is backed up by former Minnesota Vikings starter Teddy Bridgewater and the versatile Taysom Hill, who both received plenty of reps during the preseason.
New Orleans faces a tough task in going to CenturyLink Field in Week 3, with Bridgewater expected to start in front of the infamous 12th Man in Seattle. Books have New Orleans set as a 4.5-point underdog in Week 3, with the Over/Under https://somabest.com sitting at 45 points.
DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery, Philadelphia Eagles WR
The Eagles’ loss to Atlanta Sunday night was a brutal game for Philadelphia, which saw a number of starters go down on both sides of the ball. The Eagles receiving depth chart took the biggest hit with veteran receivers Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson both leaving the game with injuries: Jackson an injured groin and Jeffery a calf injury.
The lack of passing options showed for Philly, which scored 20 points in the loss. Carson Wentz also tossed two interceptions and was beaten up throughout the game. Philadelphia is back home for Week 3, giving 7 points to the visiting Detroit Lions with a total number of 48 points. Both Jackson and Jeffery are listed as day-to-day.
Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans QB
It would be rare to find a week in which Mariota isn’t listed among the walking wounded in the Music City. Mariota is dealing with a quadriceps injury following the Titans close loss to the Indianapolis Colts Sunday. The big problem is that Mariota and Tennessee are on a short week with the Jacksonville Jaguars waiting Thursday night.
Mariota is expected to play through the pain, but has been limited in his effectiveness – even before getting hurt. He collected only 154 yards passing and a touchdown in Week 2, throwing the ball just 28 times and completion 19 of those throws. The Titans are 2-point favorites on the road in North Florida, with the total sitting a mere 40 points – the lowest Over/Under on the Week 3 board.
–
