Another TD Pass from a Non-QB in Week 17 Pays +155
By Daniel Coyle in NFL Football
Updated: April 1, 2020 at 12:25 pm EDTPublished:
- Non-quarterbacks have connected on 10 total touchdown passes this season
- Odell Beckham Jr. leads the way with two TD tosses
- Christian McCaffrey poised to toss for two TDs for first time since his sophomore year at StanfordÂ
An anemic Arizona offense got a brief boost last weekend, when wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald connected on a 32-yard touchdown pass to David Johnson in the Cardinals’ 31-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Fitzgerald’s TD toss lifted the total number of scoring passes thrown by non-quarterbacks this season to a lofty 10.
But that trend is not expected to continue in the final weekend of the NFL regular season, with the odds of at least one touchdown pass being thrown by a non-QB during Week 17 pegged at a lengthy +155 on the NFL specials.
Touchdown Passes Thrown By Non-QBs In Week 17
How Many Touchdown Passes Will Be Thrown By Non-QBs In Week 17? | Odds |
---|---|
Over 0.5 | +155 |
Under 0.5 | -220 |
*Odds taken 12/28
TD Passes by Non-QB’s on the Rise in 2018
The prolific passing exploits of non-quarterbacks this season comes in stark contrast to recent years.
Over the eight NFL campaigns prior to 2018, non-quarterbacks averaged fewer than 4.4 scoring passes per season, with a passer other than a quarterback connecting on just two scoring passes in 2015.
Larry Fitzgerald did what?? #AZCardinals https://t.co/ia4M2muwTJ
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) December 23, 2018
While Fitzgerald is the most recent non-QB to hit an end zone target, it is Odell Beckham Jr. who has led the way.
Former #LSU WR Odell Beckham Jr. throws touchdown pass to former LSU WR Russell Shepard. Amazing. https://t.co/cij3h6d1nq
— TigerDroppings (@TigerDroppings) December 2, 2018
The colorful New York Giants wide receiver has made the highlight reel with two scoring passes, first hitting rookie Saquon Barkley with a 57-yard scoring strike in a 33-31 loss to Carolina in Week 5, and following up with a crucial 49-yard scoring pass to Russell Shepard in New York’s stunning 30-27 win over the Chicago Bears in Week 13.
OBJ Sidelined for Week 17
But after being sidelined by injury for the past three weeks, the Giants have confirmed that OBJ will also miss the team’s Week 17 clash with the Dallas Cowboys, further strengthening short -220 odds of UNDER 0.5 touchdown passes being thrown this weekend by non-quarterbacks.
Week 17 NFL Injury Report: Marcus Mariota, Eric Ebron, Who’s Resting, Morehttps://t.co/eIq8C6E0kD
— FantasyLabs (@FantasyLabs) December 25, 2018
Boswell and Sanders Missing Too
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell and Denver Broncos WR Emmanuel Sanders will also be denied a chance at tossing a second scoring pass the season.
Boswell was placed on the IR with a shoulder injury earlier this week, while Sanders remains sidelined with a leg injury suffered in Week 13.
However, there remains no shortage of potential candidates eager to match OBJ’s passing numbers this season.
Panthers will Count on McCaffrey in Season Finale
With Cam Newton on the shelf with a shoulder injury, Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen will take all the help he can get in his first NFL start in New Orleans on Sunday.
Throwing for touchdowns is nothing new for the McCaffrey, who also connected on a pair of TD passes during his sophomore season at Stanford in 2015
The undrafted rookie will likely lean on rusher Christian McCaffrey, and with good reason.
https://youtu.be/EU2iihoENPE
McCaffrey has not only set the NFL record this season for receptions by a running back, but also connected on a 50-yard scoring pass to Chris Manhertz in a 12-9 loss to the Saints two weeks ago.
Indeed, throwing for touchdowns is nothing new for the McCaffrey, who also connected on a pair of TD passes during his sophomore season at Stanford in 2015.
Fantasy Football Week 17 Start 'Em & Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks https://t.co/VprgJMWUOq pic.twitter.com/Mz2VhSJPEE
— SportsRadio 740 (@SportsRadio_740) December 26, 2018
With several playoff-bound squads expected to give their starting quarterbacks plenty of rest in Week 17, opportunities could abound for non-quarterbacks setting their sights on end zone targets.
And with nothing on the line, eliminated squads could look to stir up offense with some creative play calling, resulting in a scoring pass from a non-QB for a third straight week.
Sports Writer
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.