Washington’s Super Bowl 53 Odds Plummet After Alex Smith Injury

• Washington’s Super Bowl hopes take massive hit with Alex Smith injury
• Can the team rally behind Colt McCoy? 
• Will Washington even be able to hold on to a playoff spot in NFC East?

Fortunes in the NFL, they are fleeting.

One minute, you’re a surprise team chugging along with a clear path to a division title. The next, your season is on the brink, with no real way to climb out of it.

That’s the sobering reality hitting the Washington football team, as a typical NFL sack on starting QB Alex Smith ended in a gruesome season (and potentially career) ending leg injury.

Alex Smith suffered a compound fracture – meaning the bone broke through his skin, per source. Trauma surgeons discovered Smith suffered a spiral fracture in his leg – defined as a long bone broken by a rotational force. Smith, 34, faces a lengthy rehab process to try to return.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 19, 2018

Vegas is not expecting Washington to rally either.

Heading into Week 11, they had modest +4100 average odds to win Super Bowl 53. After Smith was carted off the field, those average odds have lengthened to the tune of +11400, with some books going as far as +20000.

They need binoculars to find the favorites.

But not all online sports betting sites are saying it’s over for Washington.

Super Bowl 53 Odds

As we head into the Thanksgiving Day games this week, it’s a legitimate question to find out if this team’s Super Bowl hopes are cooked.

Washington Roster Already Crippled with Injuries

Smith’s injury now makes it 11 players for the ‘Skins that are out for the year.

It’s actually pretty remarkable that Jay Gruden and his staff were able to cobble together a 6-3 record heading into that eventual loss to Houston.

Crazy amount of injuries piling up for Redskins 2018 draft class https://t.co/pCOOJVWFRn -via @NBCSRedskins pic.twitter.com/HS7cYILTLz

— The Burgundy & Gold (@DCGoldPants) November 13, 2018

With an offensive line in shambles, and a walking wounded at the skill positions, Washington’s offense was putting up a paltry 19.7 points per game, fifth worst in the NFL.

Just 25th in passing, only a resurgent Adrian Peterson has helped them to 12th in rushing yards at 121.5 a contest.

The Redskins have signed QB Mark Sanchez to backup Colt McCoy. 🤦‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/JWJ3YZevMk

— DC Maryland Virginia (@DMVFollowers) November 19, 2018

Thankfully, the defense has been stellar, one of only five teams that has held the opposition to under 20 points per game in this score-frenzy era of the NFL.

The combo of D and Smith’s low-ceiling, turnover-averse style was the key element holding the house of cards together and one component of that is gone.

Colt McCoy has never lost to the Cowboys. Just Facts! #HTTR #Redskins #ColtMcCoySZN pic.twitter.com/DaUKbkLIq8

— Commanders Squad CLT (@CommandersCLT) November 19, 2018

There aren’t many viable options at pivot to rescue a season (if the NFL continues to ignore Colin Kaepernick). Try to spin it as positive as you want, but Colt McCoy or Mark Sanchez are worse than even below-average replacements.

Cowboys Surge at The Right Moment

The old adage is, get to the playoffs, and anything can happen.

I think the reason Vegas harpooned Washington’s hopes on top of the Smith injury is the surging play of the Dallas Cowboys. Left for dead at 3-5, a pair of nice road wins has them right back in it.

RT if you're celebrating this #DallasCowboys win #DALvsATL https://t.co/pQOKhYcitd

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 18, 2018

Another Thursday, and the Cowboys will pull into a tie with Washington atop the NFC East. Even with the loss, Dallas would still be at 5-6, and in position to compete for a playoff spot.

Colt McCoy's 2018 stats;

1/1, 8yds, Touchdown.

McCoy finds Reed in the endzone on his first pass in 2018, and it's a #Redskins TD

It begins… pic.twitter.com/GsF1MGbBSn

— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) November 18, 2018

Their final five slate has four sub .500 opponents that include the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles (twice) and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Throw in a winnable against the 5-5 Tennessee Titans, and a Smith-led team could theoretically grind out a way to run the table. But now? There’s a case to be made that Washington doesn’t win another game this year.

The Pick

You would have to be Nostradamus to see Dan Snyder hoisting the Lombardi Trophy at season’s end. Smith’s injury was the final nail to Washington’s wildly injury-riddled season. They are done.