Over/Under on Jacoby Brissett Starts in 2019 Set at Just 10.5
- Jacoby Brissett will replace Andrew Luck as starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts
- Books offering an over/under wager on how many games Brissett will start this season
- The total has been set at 10.5 starts
It will be Jacoby Brissett under center for the Indianapolis Colts for the 2019 NFL season. That’s also how it was two years ago during a campaign Colts fans would just as soon forget.
The sudden retirement of Andrew Luck handed the starting quarterback role to Brissett. The same scenario played out in 2017, when Brissett replaced Luck due to injury.
Books wonder how long Brissett will get to prove he’s Indy’s guy. They’re offering an over/under on how many games Brissett starts this season. They’ve set the bar seemingly low at just 10.5 games.
Jacoby Brissett Total Starts During 2019 NFL Regular Season
| Over/Under | Odds |
|---|---|
| Over 10.5 | -190 |
| Under 10.5 | +145 |
*Odds taken 8/27/19.
Brissett started 15 of 16 games for the Colts in 2017 while Luck recovered from shoulder surgery.
Brissett Part One Wasn’t Pretty
With Luck on injured reserve in 2017, Scott Tolzien started Indy’s season opener, a dreadful 46-9 loss to the Chargers. Brissett took over late in that game and assumed the starter’s role for Week 2.
He won two of his first four starts and posted a passer rating of 120.0 in his first victory of the season, a 31-28 decision over the Cleveland Browns. The Colts ended up last in the AFC South at 4-12.
Jacoby Brissett had an all time whattttttt moment here ??? pic.twitter.com/BRnuHEd0sr
— Footballism™ (@FootbaIIism) August 25, 2019
Brissett finished 22nd in the NFL in passing yardage (3,098) and 33rd in yards per game (193.6). He was 26th in touchdown passes (13) but his TD pass to interception ratio (13/7) wasn’t bad.
QB Jacoby Brissett is at the podium: https://t.co/g09VNvfPcJ
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) August 26, 2019
Brissett’s 81.7 passer rating was better than Jay Cutler (80.8), Cam Newton (80.7), Joe Flacco (80.4) and Eli Manning (80.4).
Including two games under center for the New England Patriots, Brissett is 5-12 as an NFL starter.
Why Brissett 2.0 Could Be Better
Colts head coach Frank Reich pointed out that his new starting QB has taken over 1,200 reps with the first-team offense during training camp. He thinks they’ll be fine with Brissett.
The sportsbooks begged to differ, dropping Indy’s total wins from 9.5 to 6.5 and the Colts’ Super Bowl odds soared from +1600 to +5000.
Thread on Jacoby Brissett, one of the game's best backup QBs. He's not on the level Andrew Luck provided but I still think he can play. pic.twitter.com/A2ZNEbx9I1
— Johnny Kinsley (@Brickwallblitz) August 25, 2019
Reich wasn’t the Colts coach in 2017. In fact he was offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. He was the guy who schemed an offense after a season-ending injury to starting QB Carson Wentz that won Super Bowl 52 with backup Nick Foles at the helm.
Jacoby Brissett has a unique opportunity in front of him:
– Starting job is his.
– Top-5 offensive line.
– Deep receiving group.
– Up-and-coming RB Marlon Mack
– HC Frank Reich [who helped backup Nick Foles win a SB]– Most importantly for him: Entering a contract year.— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) August 25, 2019
As Indy coach, he also changed the offense from deep-drop passing plays that take longer to evolve into quick-hitting three- and five-step drops, targeting pass catchers in the short and intermediate zones. That should be better-suited to Brissett’s strengths as a QB.
Could Indy’s Luck Return?
There’s been speculation that Luck might change his mind. While it’s difficult to rule that out for the future, anyone thinking Luck might play in 2019 wasn’t paying attention to his painful words at his retirement news conference.
“Heart. Toughness. A guy that loves to bring it, shows his passion on the field. I can’t wait to see him out there, man.”#Colts WR T.Y. Hilton offered some high praise of Jacoby Brissett, even as he dedicates his season to Andrew Luck. More in our @nflnetwork interview: pic.twitter.com/GSnBVRkFGI
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 26, 2019
It’s Brissett’s ball for this season. And unless he’s hurt, there’s no way he doesn’t start more than 10.5 games.
Pick: Over 10.5 (-190)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
