It has been a chaotic week for bookmakers. A rash of Covid-19 positives amongst NFL players and coaches, forced the league to postpone three games – including the Washington versus Philadelphia game. Obviously these same injuries can also have a drastic outcome on the effect of games, and therefore, drastically effect a game’s odds.
The Football Team now has twenty-three Covid cases, including both of their quarterbacks. That earned them a two-day postponement until Tuesday. The two-day postponement is designed to allow time for the team’s players to produce negative tests ahead of their Week 15 matchup.
Starting quarterback Taylor Heinicke was put on the list yesterday.
That move originally caused some Sports Books to take the game off the board entirely.
When the book did finally get reset on Friday afternoon, the line favored the Eagles by more than a touchdown (8.5). In fact, by the time Washington (6-7) signed New England Patriots’ Practice Squad quarterback Garrett Gilbert, the line had moved to 9.5.
Gilbert has thrown just 44 NFL passes, in 7 games of experience.
Making matters even worse, Washington also has non-Covid injuries to top receiver Terry McLaurin and running back J.D. McKissic.
With Covid and regular IR combined, Washington is now without the services of 35+ players.
The only good news on the injury front, is that defensive end Montez Sweat may be ready in time for Tuesday. While conditioning may be an issue for Sweat, his return could prove a tremendous boost to a decimated defense.
Other Games and Changes
The Cleveland Browns lost quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum to positive tests. Their game against the Las Vegas Raiders moved from Saturday to Monday.
The Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams will also now be played Tuesday.
Further Changes?
For many-to-most Sports Books, any further postponements for this week’s games will likely result in the betting tickets being voided.
“Abandoned or postponed games are void unless rearranged and played in the same weekly schedule (Thursday to Wednesday local stadium time).”