M*A*S*H Report: Paging Le’Veon Bell, Your Team Needs You
Steelers Superstar Le’Veon Bell tops in terms of notoriety the list of players expected to miss their season opener. But, in terms of having a betting impact, a few injured players also deserve mention.
Star Players Missing
When September rolled around and running back Le’Veon Bell still hadn’t shown up, his teammates still nourished hope that he would arrive by Labor Day. Now, a few days before Sunday’s opener against Cleveland, it looks like Pittsburgh will play without Bell, who is disgruntled as the result of a contract dispute.
Bell was Pittsburgh’s work horse last season. He had a career-high 321 rush attempts and 85 receptions in 15 games played. His backup, James Conner, never had more than five carries in a game and didn’t manage a single reception. Measured against the number of passes that Roethlisberger threw, Bell comprised approximately 35% of Pittsburgh’s offense. He’s a huge loss.
Pittsburgh's odds against Cleveland have shrunken somewhat due to Bell’s absence. The line opened at 6.5 and is down to as low as 4.5. Last season, Pittsburgh beat Cleveland by three points and four points, respectively. In neither game did Bell play much of a role—if one at all and in neither game did Pittsburgh cover. An improved Cleveland squad is worth looking at as a play while Bell frustrates and distracts his teammates with his absence.
On the defensive side of things, Kansas City safety Eric Berry is the most meaningful injury. He has been downgraded to ‚doubtful‘ because of his heel. Berry missed 15 games last season and the effects of his absence grew conspicuous. His absence wasn’t immediately noticeable because they defeated an Eagles squad that outgained them heavily in yardage, but were one-dimensional on offense and committed turnovers. They then got to face winless San Diego and the lousy Redskins and Texans. But once the competition stiffened and the offense could no longer carry them, the Chiefs missed their versatile playmaker, who is a reliable tackler against the run, an adept defender who maintains his effectivity deep in pass coverage and overall a star who generates turnovers. The Chiefs lost six of their next seven games, getting shredded by Le’Veon Bell, torched by Oakland QB Derek Carr, and so on as they ranked towards the bottom in yards per drive allowed. If the Chargers, favored by a small number at home, are anything what the hype indicates, then Chief backers should worry.
Overview of Other Notable Injuries
The good news for Indianapolis is that it’s looking like quarterback Andrew Luck will play in the season opener against Cincinnati. The Colts need him to stay healthy because, per last year’s results, they’re a 4-12 team without him. But their offensive line, which ranked last in adjusted sack rate, already has its questions. Left tackle Anthony Castonzo is hugely important because he’s responsible for Luck’s backside. He should play, but he won’t be 100% and behind him there’s little depth. Luck could be in trouble.
San Francisco’s Jimmy Garoppolo will get a chance to validate the hype that he generated for himself by leading his team to five straight victories to close out 2017 with a 67% completion. Minnesota’s defense may have to try to stop him without a pair of cornerbacks, Xavier Rhodes and Mackensie Alexander. Rhodes was an All-Pro last season who was great in pass coverage and run support. He did return to full participation in practice, although he is officially listed as ‚questionable‘ and it’s worth keeping an eye on his status to be sure. The Vikings are favored by almost a touchdown. But an „over“ play is worth considering with San Francisco’s problems on defense. Linebacker Malcolm Smith, who accrued combined 225 tackles in his past two seasons (31 games) in Oakland, has been downgraded to ‚doubtful.‘ Backup linebacker Dekoda Watson has been ruled ‚out.‘
Tampa Bay, heavily dogged in New Orleans, will miss some key players on defense. Their attempt to stop New Orleans’ up-and-coming star running back Alvin Kamara will be hindered by the injury to first round pick defensive tackle Vita Vea. More worrisome, though, is the injury to Brent Grimes, who is a crucial veteran presence in Tampa Bay’s mostly young secondary and its most productive defensive back in the past couple seasons. Tampa Bay ranked 27th in opposing passer rating last season and will miss his help. On offense, Ryan Fitzpatrick will start at quarterback for the suspended Jameis Winston. Fitzpatrick was decent in his limited action last season, producing an 86.0 passer rating in five games played. He benefited from mostly facing inferior secondaries in terms of opposing passer rating. Against a tougher test in New Orleans, he was 8-for-15 with 68 yards. Underdog backers beware.
Steelers Superstar Le’Veon Bell tops in terms of notoriety the list of players expected to miss their season opener. But, in terms of having a betting impact, a few injured players also deserve mention.
Star Players Missing
When September rolled around and running back Le’Veon Bell still hadn’t shown up, his teammates still nourished hope that he would arrive by Labor Day. Now, a few days before Sunday’s opener against Cleveland, it looks like Pittsburgh will play without Bell, who is disgruntled as the result of a contract dispute.
Bell was Pittsburgh’s work horse last season. He had a career-high 321 rush attempts and 85 receptions in 15 games played. His backup, James Conner, never had more than five carries in a game and didn’t manage a single reception. Measured against the number of passes that Roethlisberger threw, Bell comprised approximately 35% of Pittsburgh’s offense. He’s a huge loss.
Pittsburgh's odds against Cleveland have shrunken somewhat due to Bell’s absence. The line opened at 6.5 and is down to as low as 4.5. Last season, Pittsburgh beat Cleveland by three points and four points, respectively. In neither game did Bell play much of a role—if one at all and in neither game did Pittsburgh cover. An improved Cleveland squad is worth looking at as a play while Bell frustrates and distracts his teammates with his absence.
On the defensive side of things, Kansas City safety Eric Berry is the most meaningful injury. He has been downgraded to ‚doubtful‘ because of his heel. Berry missed 15 games last season and the effects of his absence grew conspicuous. His absence wasn’t immediately noticeable because they defeated an Eagles squad that outgained them heavily in yardage, but were one-dimensional on offense and committed turnovers. They then got to face winless San Diego and the lousy Redskins and Texans. But once the competition stiffened and the offense could no longer carry them, the Chiefs missed their versatile playmaker, who is a reliable tackler against the run, an adept defender who maintains his effectivity deep in pass coverage and overall a star who generates turnovers. The Chiefs lost six of their next seven games, getting shredded by Le’Veon Bell, torched by Oakland QB Derek Carr, and so on as they ranked towards the bottom in yards per drive allowed. If the Chargers, favored by a small number at home, are anything what the hype indicates, then Chief backers should worry.
Overview of Other Notable Injuries
The good news for Indianapolis is that it’s looking like quarterback Andrew Luck will play in the season opener against Cincinnati. The Colts need him to stay healthy because, per last year’s results, they’re a 4-12 team without him. But their offensive line, which ranked last in adjusted sack rate, already has its questions. Left tackle Anthony Castonzo is hugely important because he’s responsible for Luck’s backside. He should play, but he won’t be 100% and behind him there’s little depth. Luck could be in trouble.
San Francisco’s Jimmy Garoppolo will get a chance to validate the hype that he generated for himself by leading his team to five straight victories to close out 2017 with a 67% completion. Minnesota’s defense may have to try to stop him without a pair of cornerbacks, Xavier Rhodes and Mackensie Alexander. Rhodes was an All-Pro last season who was great in pass coverage and run support. He did return to full participation in practice, although he is officially listed as ‚questionable‘ and it’s worth keeping an eye on his status to be sure. The Vikings are favored by almost a touchdown. But an „over“ play is worth considering with San Francisco’s problems on defense. Linebacker Malcolm Smith, who accrued combined 225 tackles in his past two seasons (31 games) in Oakland, has been downgraded to ‚doubtful.‘ Backup linebacker Dekoda Watson has been ruled ‚out.‘
Tampa Bay, heavily dogged in New Orleans, will miss some key players on defense. Their attempt to stop New Orleans’ up-and-coming star running back Alvin Kamara will be hindered by the injury to first round pick defensive tackle Vita Vea. More worrisome, though, is the injury to Brent Grimes, who is a crucial veteran presence in Tampa Bay’s mostly young secondary and its most productive defensive back in the past couple seasons. Tampa Bay ranked 27th in opposing passer rating last season and will miss his help. On offense, Ryan Fitzpatrick will start at quarterback for the suspended Jameis Winston. Fitzpatrick was decent in his limited action last season, producing an 86.0 passer rating in five games played. He benefited from mostly facing inferior secondaries in terms of opposing passer rating. Against a tougher test in New Orleans, he was 8-for-15 with 68 yards. Underdog backers beware.
