As we enter the second full week of NFL Preseason games, the focus sharpens onto key position battles where veteran and rookie players compete to see who will line up as the starter when teams take to the field on Week 1 this September.
It is the nature of the game. Franchises draft new players each year with the hopes that they’ll bring championship glory in the future. The NFL is also a league of results, and the future can become now for rookies in the league that are looking to unseat their veteran counterparts.
When QB Mac Jones fell to the New England Patriots at the 15th overall spot in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft, many felt that he would likely be the day one starter, especially considering the absence of any other legitimate challengers on the roster.
NFL odds are now on the board for betting on the Patriots and the quarterback that will take the first snap of the 2021 season, and surprisingly. Cam Newton is a heavy favorite by a 650 point separation in the moneyline.
Which QB Will Start For The Patriots On Week 1?
- Cam Newton -400
- Mac Jones +250
The above NFL prop bet does not indicate that Newton will be under center for the entire 2021-22 campaign. This line receives action until Jones, Newton, or someone else, receives the ball from center on the opening snap of Week 1.
At the time Jones was drafted, Newton was a free agent and had yet to re-sign with New England and it seemed as if retirement may have been in consideration.
When perusing the current roster of the Patriots, it makes sense to keep Newton around. The team is built to be a run-heavy offense that can be supported by a stout defensive effort. The receivers in New England are not the type that will streak wide open down the field, and are more suited for run blocking and clearing lanes for Newton and the offensive backfield.
With that said, if the plan goes south and they end up in a hole, expect Jones to step in just to simply gain experience until next season.
There are other QB competitions worth noting in the NFL that have inspired pro football betting odds, including whether Jimmy Garoppolo or #3 overall draft pick Trey Lance will get the starting job for the San Francisco 49ers.
Which QB Will Start For The 49ers On Week 1?
- Jimmy Garoppolo -400
- Trey Lance +250
Lance has shown flashes of brilliance in his limited NFL Preseason action thus far, but has a long way to go before he shows that he’s got the moxie to send Jimmy G to the bench for good.
Garoppolo is certainly one of the top 32 players at his position in the league, but he has missed significant time over the past three seasons due to injury. If not for Jimmy’s time on the IR, head coach Mike Shannahan may not have even been in the market for Trey Lance, and now the two of them are embroiled in a battle to lead the team on their next Super Bowl run.
Garoppolo is heavily favored over Lance at the moment, but that can and will change if Trey continues to dazzle in the preseason.
The following NFL Preseason odds feature three options for the opening day starting quarterback of the Chicago Bears. Rookie Justin Fields appears to be the real deal following a lights-out performance in his first preseason game, and his +250 moneyline will payout nicely if and when he takes the first snap this year.
Which QB Will Start For The Bears On Week 1?
- Andy Dalton -300
- Justin Fields +250
- Nick Foles +1600
If bettors are interested in any of these QB-related NFL odds, act fast. Once another preseason game is in the books, the NFL moneylien odds will shift, and it may not be in your favor.
NFL Betting Odds – Bovada
Source – NFL.com
