Impact of Missing WRs on NFL Odds: Falcons vs. Buccaneers

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00:00Now, if we've learned something about the oddsmakers in terms of how you, as you said,

00:08as they value wide receivers in the NFL, there's no question that we've learned that Mike Evans

00:13and Chris Godwin, the combination of them both not playing is worth a few points in

00:17the NFL.

00:18Not as much as a quarterback, Matt, but the Falcons are two and a half point favorites

00:22over Tampa Bay now going into the weekend with a total of 45 and a half.

00:26I'm going to guess that if both those wide receivers were playing, I mean, Matt, wouldn't

00:31the Bucs be a point favorite at least maybe two?

00:35I mean, it looks to me like they've shifted this at least three points with those two

00:38players out.

00:39Yeah, at least, you know, before Monday night when I was looking at the upcoming week's

00:44slate of games, I was just thinking back to the first time these teams played and the

00:48Buccaneers had them, they were moving the ball at will.

00:51And then all of a sudden we had some crazy late game heroics from Kirk Cousins, crazy

00:55over time.

00:56He throws for over 500 yards.

00:57That's what it took for them to beat the Bucs at home on a Thursday night.

01:01So I was just like, yeah, the Bucs are going to win.

01:03I mean, I really thought it could be about a three point favorite.

01:06And then Monday night happens and next thing you know, we're running out Trey Palmer and

01:10Jalen McMillan as number one receivers and the game plan really changes and they still

01:15have that three headed monster in the backfield.

01:17But I just don't think you can count on that team with the wide receivers the way they

01:21are.

01:22Baker Mayfield's having a great year.

01:23I think he can still make plays, but it's just a lot harder when you don't have guys

01:27like that.

01:28You don't have the NFL leader in receptions.

01:29You don't have one of the best big play touchdown catchers of all time at wide receiver, take

01:35them out of the lineup.

01:36It's going to make a difference.

01:37And we know the Falcons can move the ball.

01:38We know that they know what they do on offense.

01:41They have hiccups, but they're still a solid team.