Odds to be Benched During 2019 NFL Season for Keenum, Fitzpatrick, Flacco & Manning
- Oddsmakers targeting odds on veteran QBs that could be benched
- Fans could pressure rookie quarterbacks into lineups faster in Denver, NY and Washington
- What wagers are worth making in this field?
Well, this is never fun: predicting the demise of an aging QB in the NFL.
However, this isn’t even writing on the wall. This is a countdown clock in bright neon lights – albeit a more depressing version of Times Square on December 31.
Let’s navigate through and find a winning bet amongst the rubble of pivots destined to be holding a clipboard this season.
Odds to Be Benched During 2019 NFL Season
| QB | Team | Yes Odds | No Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Fitzpatrick | Miami Dolphins | -500 | +300 |
| Joe Flacco | Denver Broncos | +240 | -320 |
| Eli Manning | New York Giants | -1000 | +500 |
| Case Keenum | Washington Redskins | -400 | +250 |
* Odds from 09/06/19
All four quarterbacks have youngsters at different points of development behind them, but each one of these four can’t be facing the identical fate in 2019, can they?
Can Fitzpatrick and Keenum Keep their Spots?
Let’s start in Miami, where the tanktastic Dolphins have shredded a plethora of usable pieces in favor of draft picks. They actually might have the perfect quarterback to bring this all to form: the man known as Fitzmagic. At his best, the Harvard alum is going over the top of the defense, looking for the home run ball, and reminding everyone that he’s a serviceable pivot.
Ryan Fitzpatrick and the @buccaneers CANNOT be stopped right now.
ANOTHER TD pass to @DeSeanJackson11!
?: FOX #GoBucs #Kickoff2018 pic.twitter.com/IfdQp3zCbo
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
At his worst? How about Week 3 last year as Ryan Fitzpatrick navigated Tampa to 2-0 before crashing into the retaining wall in primetime against the Steelers. It was the first of five straight losses before getting the mercy plug.
The magic is out in Tampa and Ryan Fitzpatrick is back. Throws his 3rd INT of the night and Bud Dupree returns it for the TD. #PITvsTB #MNF
pic.twitter.com/a5DnfjVD1V— Armchair NFL (@ArmchairNFL) September 25, 2018
He’ll at least keep things interesting, before blowing it. The Dolphins want as many L’s as possible, and letting Fitz ride off into the sunset leading the league in picks and sacks would be fitting.
How bad is the Dolphins’ O-line? Unless you’re a football guru, you couldn’t name anyone after Laremy Tunsil, who’s now in Houston. The Fins have a potentially legitimate star QB in second-year man Josh Rosen, but do you dare trot him out there in this carnage? Maybe it’s impossible to fight the urge for the Dolphins to actually see what they have in Rosen, but Fitz may be playing you into Tua Tagovailoa or Justin Herbert.
Case Keenum fumbled and almost threw an INT on the same play.https://t.co/kkkrBeBy9j
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 14, 2018
Meanwhile, in DC, Case Keenum will get a chance to recapture his Minnesota lightning in a bottle as the only viable option. Barring a Keenum meteor-like flash of success, it’s inevitable Dwayne Haskins will see playing time. And unlike Miami, they actually have professional football players that could form an offensive line that won’t shave years off Haskins’ career.
What About Joe and Eli?
The bar for quarterbacking play in Denver has been about heel-high since Peyton Manning retired. Even competent play from Joe Flacco will be a boon for a Broncos team that appears to have talent in many places, particularly defense. If Flacco has any juice in his 34-year-old arm, the recipe to Denver’s last Super Bowl triumph is right there for him to follow.
Post-Super Bowl Flacco has been problematic, per @NFLResearch: pic.twitter.com/5vrclAwPVZ
— Marc Sessler (@MarcSessler) February 13, 2019
Of course, that’s a mighty if. We’re about to find out if it was the system in Baltimore or his declining skills that led to him ceding his starting spot to Lamar Jackson. Still, he’ll have to be awfully bad to get Drew Lock into a game. The second-round draft pick and heir apparent did not look ready for his shot yet.
As for Eli Manning, it’s well stated that he’s just not NFL starting caliber to anyone … but the New York Giants braintrust, particularly GM Dave Gettleman, who believes Eli could start for another three years.
It appeared that was his goal, after drafting Daniel Jones waaaaay higher than anyone expected, at the six spot. Jones projected to need some serious time to transition to the pro game, but then something weird happened this preseason: the kid started spinning.
First series for Daniel Jones …
5/5, 67 yds and a TD ? (via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/m1KARhhmhC
— ESPN (@espn) August 8, 2019
How long before Giants fans start calling for the rookie? The second pass that Manning two-skips to Saquon Barkley in the flat in the first quarter of Week 1?
What’s the Best Bet?
All my choices for this bet are chalk. Keenum, Fitzpatrick and Manning will find their way to the pine, and Flacco should steer the Broncos to contention for a playoff spot in Denver. However, if you wanted a wager that would return some value, I would take Fitzmagic to be black magic and not get benched in Miami (+300), pushing the Dolphins to the top draft pick in 2020. in 14 seasons, the guy has surpassed six wins as a starter just once. There is really no one more qualified to put up a losing fight, and it could earn you a nice win if you have the guts to do it.
Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.
