- The NFL released its COVID-19 vaccine policy which states that teams without vaccinated players who contract the virus can see games forfeited as a result.
- DeAndre Hopkins of the Arizona Cardinals has alluded to potentially retiring as a result as the Arizona Cardinals have +3800 long odds to win the Super Bowl.
NEW YORK – The new vaccine memo released by the NFL has shaken up the league and could potentially affect betting lines during the 2021 NFL season.
The memo states that if unvaccinated players contract COVID-19 and games are canceled, and the league is unable to reschedule the game, the team will suffer a forfeit loss.
This could shift NFL betting odds as teams could potentially lose games without even getting the chance to play. This could be the difference in team total wins betting lines as well as futures odds for Super Bowl contenders.
COVID-19 Still Affecting The League
The NFL just informed clubs that if a game cannot be rescheduled during the 18-week season in 2021 due to a COVID outbreak among unvaccinated players, the team with the outbreak will FORFEIT and be credited with a loss for playoff seeding, per sources.
Massive implications.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 22, 2021
There were a total of 13 games affected by COVID-19 outbreaks during the 2020 NFL season. If the vaccine protocols were in place, this would have resulted in mass losses for teams.
The entire shape of the league, playoffs, and even Super Bowl could have been different. With the harsh rules in place this year, betting fans should be cautious of futures betting lines for teams with unvaccinated players.
Super Bowl 56 Odds To Win
- Kansas City Chiefs +500
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers +650
- Buffalo Bills +1200
- Green Bay Packers +1200
- Los Angeles Rams +1200
- San Francisco 49ers +1300
- Baltimore Ravens +1400
- Cleveland Browns +1600
- Denver Broncos +2200
- Indianapolis Colts +2500
- New England Patriots +2500
- Seattle Seahawks +2600
- Tennessee Titans +2800
- Dallas Cowboys +3000
- Los Angeles Chargers +3000
- New Orleans Saints +3000
- Miami Dolphins +3500
- Arizona Cardinals +3800
- Minnesota Vikings +4000
- Pittsburgh Steelers +4500
- Washington Football Team +4500
- Chicago Bears +6600
- Carolina Panthers +8000
- Las Vegas Raiders +8000
- New York Giants +8500
- Philadelphia Eagles +9000
- Atlanta Falcons +10000
- Cincinnati Bengals +10000
- Jacksonville Jaguars +10000
- New York Jets +10000
- Detroit Lions +15000
- Houston Texans +30000
Arizona Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins has vocally opposed the vaccine, for example. Cardinals have +3800 long odds to win and were viewed as fringe contenders. Should an outbreak occur on their roster, their chances could be greatly affected.
DeAndre Hopkins with a big statement on today’s news… pic.twitter.com/YSt4uG8NUe
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 22, 2021
The defending champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers have also seen players like RB Leonard Fournette speak out against the NFL’s protocols and adamantly oppose the vaccine.
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The Bucs have +650 short odds to repeat.
Add #Bucs RB Leonard Fournette to the list of players against getting the COVID-19 vaccine. pic.twitter.com/1IqlksESap
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 22, 2021
Los Angeles Rams CB Jalen Ramsey has publicly been opposed to the vaccine since it was initially released and continues to speak against it. Rams +1200 odds may be appealing, but there is a risk of forfeit with this team as well.
Some of y’all clearly didn’t get what I’m saying here lol.. the NFL is pressuring/ “influencing” guys to get the vaccine. They are saying if there is an outbreak, the team will be penalized heavily. My point is no teammate of mine will feel that pressure from me because… https://t.co/odRnl7xUUZ
— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) July 22, 2021
Even with the protocols, however, the NFL expects this season to run with little to no interruption compared to last season.
Heading into training camp, 80% of NFL players are vaccinated. All coaches and staff must be vaccinated in order to be around players, and players who aren’t vaccinated are hit with strict protocols to avoid contracting the virus.
"I think we are off to an excellent start," said Dr. Allen Sills, the league's medical director. "Those numbers are much higher than what we're seeing in society as a whole. There has been a lot of movement in that area. As you see players coming to training camp, you will see more players beginning that process (of vaccination)."
Those placing action at USA online sportsbooks can still partake in futures betting, but be cautious as a single outbreak can affect the outcome of the entire season.
After graduating from Florida State University with a degree in creative writing, Giovanni spent his professional career writing short stories for online journals. Now at USAOnlineSportsbooks, you can find him keeping fans up to date on their favorite teams best betting odds. Giovanni still tries to incorporate his passion for storytelling through the perspective of sports betting.
