Odds of Shaq Barrett Leading NFL in Sacks Set at -120; Given +200 Odds to Break Sack Record
By Ryan Bolta in NFL Football
Updated: April 21, 2020 at 9:35 am EDTPublished:
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB Shaq Barrett leads the NFL with 8.0 sacks in three games this season
- Sportsbooks have released a prop listing Barrett at -120 to lead the league in sacks
- Barrett’s previous career-high in sacks was 5.5 during his rookie year back in 2015
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaq Barrett has been a man possessed in the first three games of the season. He’s already tallied 8.0 sacks, leading sportsbooks to release a prop on his chances to lead the league in that stat this season.
Odds Shaq Barrett Leads the NFL in Sacks
| Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| Yes | -120 |
| No | -120 |
*Odds taken 9/25
This is one of two props regarding Barrett’s sack prowess. The clear bet to make here is “No” and here’s why.
Barrett Will Not Be Able to Keep Pace
There is no doubting Barrett has been one of if not the most exciting defensive player to watch early in the season. It’s important to remember we’re only three games into the year, though, and even more important to take this start into historical context when it comes to Barrett’s play.
Barrett’s Career Stats
| Season | Games Played | Sack Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 16 | 5.5 |
| 2016 | 16 | 1.5 |
| 2017 | 16 | 4.0 |
| 2018 | 13 | 3.0 |
| 2019 | 3 | 8.0 |
Barrett has already put up a career-high. Last week against the New York Giants, he totaled 4.0 sacks which would be equal to or more than the total he reached in three of his four full seasons.
Shaq Barrett's out here looking like a created player.#GoBucs | #BudLightCelly pic.twitter.com/LrQzHmm5D2
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 22, 2019
What would it take for Barrett to finish the year as the sack leader? Last season, Aaron Donald topped the league with 20.5 sacks. Over the past five years, the average number of the league-leader is 18.0.
If that 18.0 number holds this season, Barrett would still need 10 or 11 more sacks over the next 13 games to finish on top. Those seem like lofty expectations for a player who has never been close to double digits in the stat in his life. The fact that he only has a 2.0 sack lead over Myles Garrett has me really comfortable betting against him.
PICK: No (-120)
Odds Shaq Barrett Breaks the Single-Season Sack Record
| Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| Yes | +200 |
| No | -300 |
*Odds taken 9/25.
After reading the advice on the previous prop, it’s no surprise that my pick is a resounding “NO” when it comes to setting the single-season record. The single-season record currently belongs to Michael Strahan who tallied 22.5 sacks back in 2001. That is a record which could live for a long time. Donald’s incredible season last year still came up 2.0 sacks shy.
Shaq Barrett, the NFL's sack monster.#GoBucs pic.twitter.com/XAW0lI9bjo
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 25, 2019
While Barrett is currently on pace for 43.0 sacks this season, looking at on-pace stats after three games is not helpful. Instead, think of it this way. He would need 15 more sacks to break the record with 13 games to play. Considering he had only 14.0 in the four full seasons he played before this one, it just isn’t going to happen.
The fact you can lock this in at -300 seems like an incredible investment. Bet this one and bet it confidently.
PICK: No (-300)
Sports Writer
Ryan has been working at TSN for over eleven years, and is now a lead writer and content producer at That's Hockey. Over the years, he's launched and hosted TSN's first NCAAF podcast, The College Football Show, and been featured on the likes of TSN 1050, Sportscentre, and That's Hockey 2Nite.
