How Do Key NFL Players' Absences Impact the Spread?

(Panama City) - As it does every year, the injury bug has taken its toll on NFL players this season, and those setbacks have produced a trickle-down effect on the odds.

It's interesting to see how the odds are impacted by certain players who are out for a game, or longer. We've seen it happen this year with guys like Lamar Jackson, Matthew Stafford, Tua Tagovailoa and now most recently, Kyler Murray.

Quarterbacks are generally the only players who can move a betting line, but these days there are a few skill players and defensive players who can make an impact as well.

Keep in mind, the values below are volatile because the players' complimentary teammates, team standing and the game matchup itself are all factored into the oddsmaking equation.

Values are courtesy of the oddsmakers at SportsBetting.ag.

(The numbers below are what each player’s value is to the spread of a game if that player were to miss the game)

Current Top 20

 

Josh Allen                       8 points

Patrick Mahomes           8 points

Joe Burrow                     7.5 points

Lamar Jackson               7.5 points

Jalen Hurts                      7 points

Tom Brady                      7 points

Aaron Rodgers               6 points

Deshaun Watson            5.5 points

Justin Herbert                 6 points

Matthew Stafford            6 points

Dak Prescott                   5.5 points

Tua Tagovailoa              5 points

Derek Carr                      4.5 points

Kyler Murray                   4.5 points

Justin Fields                    4 points

Kirk Cousins                   4 points

Russell Wilson                3.5 points

Jared Goff                       3 points

Ryan Tannehill               3 points

Daniel Jones                   2.5 points

Trevor Lawrence            2.5 points

 

Players Whose Values Have Increased the Most Since Start of the Season

 

Jalen Hurts                      +3.5 points

Tua Tagovailoa              +2.5 points

Jared Goff                       +2 points

Justin Fields                    +1.5 points

Lamar Jackson               +1.5 points

 

Players Whose Values Have Decreased the Most Since Start of the Season

 

Carson Wentz                 -3.5 points

Matt Ryan                       -3 points

Russell Wilson                -3 points

Zach Wilson                    -2.5 points

Jameis Winston              -2 points

 

Top 5 Non-QBs on Offense

 

Cooper Kupp                  2 points

Derrick Henry                  2 points

Justin Jefferson              2 points

J’Marr Chase                  2 points

Tyreek Hill                       2 points

 

Top 5 Defensive Players

 

Micah Parson                  2 points

Nick Bosa                        2 points

TJ Watt                            2 points

Myles Garrett                  1 point

Aaron Donald                 1 point