NFL’s Shortened Preseason To Have Major Impact On Rookie Betting Odds

• The NFL will be cutting the preseason down to only two games this season
• There are upsides and downsides to this change including the less NFL game action for rookies.
• Rookie QBs Tau Tagovailoa (+200 odds) and Justin Herbert (+250 odds) are not favored to play in Week 1.

NEW YORK – The NFL will be changing the normal four-game preseason into a two-game preseason to the start of the 2020 season.

The National Football League will cut every game for Week one and four of the preseason this year according to reports.

There are possible pros and cons for this change to the structure of the season. Many players have advocated for a shorter preseason for years because it creates less opportunity to get hurt before the season really starts.

This will also provide teams with more time to practice with all the players since most of the offseason workouts and OTAs have been stopped due to the coronavirus pandemic.

One the other hand, the cutting of preseason games will cut the time for players to work to make the 53-man roster and move up the depth chart. Even more, it will result in less real game action for rookies who have never experience playing on this level.

The preseason has always been where rookies can earn their stripes and especially the rookies who want the starting position under the center.

There are a couple of rookie QBs that could possibly turn that downside into a starting position in Week 1 of the regular season. Having only two games to evaluate could affect the legal sports betting odds of that happening.

Fans have agreed with these odds and expect Ryan Fitzpatrick to start a majority or all of the games this season. The confidence comes from a good ending to Fitzpatrick’s 2019 season and the question of health for Tagovailoa.

With a shorten preseason, if could amplify hopes. If Fitzpatrick performs badly and Tagovailoa has a few good series it could shift the atmosphere in Maimi.

Because it is a smaller sample, the preseason may lead fans and even coaches to think that the rookie is more healthy and ready than they thought.

The Chargers seem to be very content with letting Tyrod Taylor take over as quarterback this season. If Taylor does not look as good in just one game, it could be a perfect opportunity for Justin Herbert to make is mark.

This happens a lot in preseason games but with less to game action, Herbert could push his way to being on the field in the first week of the regular season.

Sportsbooks do not have big expectations for either teams and both are favored to not make the playoffs this year right now. The start of their rookie quarterbacks in the regular could possibly change those odds.

A shorter preseason could make a bigger difference for NFL bettors than it may seem.

News tags: Justin Herbert | Los Angeles Chargers | Miami Dolphins | NFL | Preseason | Tua Tagovailoa