This NFL season has been characterized by an unsettling number of injuries to pivotal players, leading to a shuffling at the quarterback position. Out of necessity, teams have been compelled to put backup quarterbacks on the field, steering a wave of low-scoring games. This unexpected turn of play has proven to be a boon for gamblers, who have consistently backed the “under” option in points total bets through the initial nine weeks of the season. In fact, out of 29 prime-time games featuring low scoring, 22 followed this trend, signaling a success rate of 75.8%.
Proof of this trend continually surfaced during the season. Los Angeles Chargers’ linebacker Khalil Mack furiously launched himself at New York Jets’ quarterback Zach Wilson during one of the weekly Monday Night Football games, leading to a low scoring encounter. Betting on the under option resulted in an encouraging 83-52-1 outcome, a clip success of 61.5%.
The ninth week featured three prime-time games that followed this trend, intimating the possible continuation of this trend. Pittsburgh Steelers trounced Tennessee Titans in a Thursday Night Football fixture, penciling a total of 36.5 points. Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow and Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen tussled in the Sunday Night Football match, aggregating a total of 42 points while the stipulated over/under points were 51.5. The Monday Night Football game saw Los Angeles Chargers top the chart with a 27-6 win over New York Jets, tallying a total of 33 points against an established 41 points over/under.
The scoring average, understandably, took a direct hit. Only six teams averaged more than 26 points per game, with Miami Dolphins leading the pack at 31.7 points. Seventeen teams on the other hand, scored less than the season average of 21.7 points. Five teams featured a dismal average of scoring less than 17 points per game, with New York Giants averaging a paltry 11.2 points, the lowest of the season.
The rookie influx further compounded the points reduction. Week 9 featured at least eight backup quarterbacks in fourteen games. Significant rookie presence was seen in teams like Tennessee Titans (Will Levis), Minnesota Vikings (Jaren Hall), Arizona Cardinals (Clayton Tune), among others. Injuries to established quarterbacks like Kirk Cousins led to the rookies basking in the limelight. Despite the fall in point totals, week 10 sees betting continue with six games opening at a points total under 40.
And, with the current scoring landscape in the NFL, those missing the exhilaration of high-stakes could consider a different type of entertainment altogether. If you yearn for the thrill of the game but wish to step away from the gridiron, you might want to visit our guide to the best online casinos that we’ve carefully curated. At West Island Blog, we understand the sudden craving for some high-intensity action, and what could be better than a round of online gambling at the highly-rated casinos? You could put those imaginary quarterback skills to the test and see if you can beat the house. Even better, you don’t have to worry about any injuries!
