Week 3 of the NFL season is shaping up to be defined by injuries, especially at the quarterback position. Several starters have already been ruled out, and that’s changing the betting landscape across multiple games. Here’s a breakdown of the most important updates and what they mean for bettors.
Quarterbacks on the sidelines
- Jayden Daniels (Commanders, knee): Out vs. Raiders. Marcus Mariota starts, lowering Washington’s offensive ceiling. Commanders remain -3 favorites, but market sentiment may tilt toward Las Vegas.
- Joe Burrow (Bengals, toe): On injured reserve. Jake Browning starts against Minnesota, where the Bengals are road underdogs. Expect shorter passing plays and heavier reliance on the run.
- Justin Fields (Jets, concussion): Out vs. Buccaneers. Tyrod Taylor gets the nod, limiting upside in New York’s passing attack. Tampa Bay sits at -6.5.
- J.J. McCarthy (Vikings, ankle): Out vs. Bengals. Veteran Carson Wentz starts. Total markets may adjust upward given Wentz’s tendency for high-risk throws.
- Brock Purdy (49ers, toe): Unlikely to play against Arizona. Mac Jones likely starts. Line has already shifted slightly toward the Cardinals.
Other key injuries to watch
- A.J. Terrell Jr. (Falcons, hamstring): Out vs. Panthers. Carolina receivers get a boost, and bettors should consider overs on Panthers’ passing yards.
- Chris Godwin (Buccaneers, ankle): Out vs. Jets. Emeka Egbuka (hip/groin) is questionable, potentially limiting Tampa Bay’s receiving corps.
- Jayden Reed (Packers, foot): On injured reserve. Targets open for Matthew Golden and Dontayvion Wicks, shifting player prop value.
- Will Shipley (Eagles, oblique): Out vs. Rams. AJ Dillon and Tank Bigsby may get touches behind Saquon Barkley.
- Evan Engram (Broncos, back): Out vs. Chargers. Adam Trautman steps in, but DFS players may want to look elsewhere for tight end production.
- DaRon Bland (Cowboys, foot): Out vs. Bears. Dallas secondary weakened, giving Chicago receivers a potential edge.
Betting takeaways
- Totals trending down: With so many quarterbacks sidelined, several Week 3 games could lean toward the Under. Jets-Bucs and Bengals-Vikings are prime examples.
- Spread volatility: Injury announcements late in the week are driving line moves. Commanders-Raiders and 49ers-Cardinals spreads are among the most affected.
- Prop market opportunities: Backup QBs often rely on tight ends and running backs. Bettors may find value on RB receiving yards and TE receptions across multiple matchups.
Fantasy and DFS impact
- downgrade WR1 options in Washington, New York, and Cincinnati with star QBs sidelined.
- upgrade RB usage in games featuring backup quarterbacks.
- keep an eye on late reports: players like Jaxon Smith-Njigba (illness) and Emeka Egbuka (hip/groin) could be game-time decisions.
Week 3 is riddled with injuries, and bettors need to track line movements closely. Backup quarterbacks will play a big role in deciding spreads and totals, while player prop markets may present the best opportunities. Staying updated through Sunday morning reports is crucial before placing bets.