Four Early Injuries that Impact the NFL Betting Odds

The NFL preseason has yet to kick off and training camps have barely started, but we’ve already seen a number of injuries impact the path of certain teams. Those who bet on the NFL know that it’s just part of the game but even so, it’s important to keep an eye on the newswire and evaluate what toll these injuries will take on the respective squads.

That being the case, here are the four most important long-term injuries that have transpired in the early goings and a look at how the odds have been affected:

Percy Harvin, Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks traded three draft picks (first-, third- and seventh-rounders) for wide receiver Percy Harvin and handed him a five-year contract extension that included $25.5 million in guarantees. Without question, they were expecting that the explosive playmaker would fortify their already strong case for a Super Bowl run (currently 9/1 on the NFL lines).

However, Harvin tweeted out on Tuesday that he’ll require surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip and could miss the entire season. Not only will this have an impact on the futures but the NFL online betting lines for Week 1 have already changed. The Seahawks opened as a 3.5-point favorite in Carolina but they’ve dropped below the key number as they are now 2.5-point road favorites.

Dennis Pitta, Baltimore Ravens

Tight end Dennis Pitta was expected to shoulder much of the receiving load after the Ravens traded away top wideout Anquan Boldin this offseason. However, Pitta fractured and dislocated his hip in training camp and will now miss the entire season.

Pitta and Boldin accumulated 126 receptions, 1,590 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. Combined, all of the other receivers and tight ends totaled 117 receptions, 1,726 yards and 10 touchdowns. The team will have to find some other sources for quarterback Joe Flacco to rely upon if they’re to compete in the challenging AFC North.

The Ravens will visit the Denver Broncos to kick off the 2013-14 regular season on Thursday, September 5 but we’ve already seen a shift in the NFL point spread. The Ravens started as a nine-point road dog but are now a 10-point underdog at Bodog.

Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles

Wide receiver is not a position of depth for the Eagles, so it was a particularly sour day last Saturday when the Eagles found out that Jeremy Maclin tore his right ACL and would be out for the entire season.

It likely won’t change the trajectory of the Eagles season that much (50/1 on the NFL odds to win the Super Bowl) as little was expected of them in their first year of a rebuild under new head coach Chip Kelly. However, it can’t be understated that Maclin led the team last season in receptions (69), receiving yards (857), receiving touchdowns (seven) and was the first choice in the passing game (122 targets).

Dan Koppen, Denver Broncos

Here’s one of the more useful NFL betting tips you need to know: protecting quarterback Peyton Manning is crucial to the Denver Broncos success. Valuable insight, isn’t it?

Sarcasm aside, the Broncos know they need to keep Manning’s jersey as clean as possible but unfortunately, a couple of injuries have taken a bite into his royal guard. Center J.D. Walton had started 36-consecutive games for the Broncos offensive line prior to suffering an ankle injury on September 30 last season. The Broncos brought in veteran Dan Koppen to plug the leak and he did an admirable job to finish the year. It was expected that he’d continue to do so after it was announced that Walton needed a second surgery on the ankle last month. However, Koppen tore his ACL in training camp on Sunday and is now out for the year.

Center is a key member on the offensive line as he serves as the quarterback of communication for the other four linemen. The Broncos are now left with Manny Ramirez snapping the ball to Manning but Ramirez has never started an NFL game at the position.

The Broncos are still your favorite on the NFL betting odds to win the AFC (2/1) but this is a situation that’s worth keeping a close eye on.