NFL Injuries That Will Affect Your Super Bowl LIII Bets

There have been Super Bowls in the past in which injuries played a major role in the decision-making of the head coaches. One example came just a year ago, when the Philadelphia Eagles rolled into Super Bowl LII behind backup quarterback  Nick Foles, who led the Birds to a title — thanks in large part to the “Philly Special” trick play that Foles had run in high school. Another Eagles-Patriots Super Bowl that revolved around player health was Super Bowl XXXIX, when Eagles coach Andy Reid inserted Donovan McNabb back in at quarterback before he was ready, even though Jeff Garcia had quarterbacked the team to the title game. McNabb was visibly unable to carry out the position, and the Patriots eked out a win. What injuries should you bear in mind with your NFL betting for Super Bowl LIII? There’s not much — but we do have some thoughts for you to consider.

NFL Injuries That Will Affect Your Super Bowl Bets

Doesn’t look like there’ll be any injuries to watch during Super Bowl week. pic.twitter.com/qCdaiDmZX2

— Brad Gagnon (@Brad_Gagnon) January 24, 2019

What’s the deal with Todd Gurley?

No running back in the National Football League makes more than the former NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year. However, he only appeared in 32 snaps for the Rams in the NFC Championship, a career low, and he only touched the ball five times. One of those touches led to a touchdown before halftime, but questions have arisen surrounding the knee injury that kept Gurley out of the last two games in the regular season. According to Action Network, Rams coach Sean McVay went with C.J. Anderson because “it was a flow for the game..the Saints did a nice job as a whole slowing down our run game and we kind of just had to grind some things out.” Anderson is more of a pounding running back, and Gurley is more of a finesse ball carrier, but one wonders if there is more to this than meets the eye.

Other Ram injuries

The other key injuries during the regular season are well known. Slot receiver Cooper Kupp (knee) and defensive end Dominique Easley (knee) went on injured reserve weeks ago, and the Rams have adjusted. Jared Goff would love having Kupp as yet another option in his passing game, but the Rams were able to get to the title game without him. Then there’s Greg Zuerlein, who kicked that 57-yard winning field goal in overtime. He was seen in a walking boot on his left foot (not his kicking foot) on the day after the NFC Championship, and he appears on the Rams’ initial injury report, but McVay has said that the team did not suffer any significant injuries in their win over the Saints.

Key New England injuries

Josh Gordon isn’t injured, but the indefinite suspension that he incurred blew a hole in the Patriots’ passing game. However, the Patriots got by the high-flying Kansas City Chiefs on the road without having his speed on offense. Tom Brady was still able to find the likes of Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan and Rob Gronkowski, converting third down after third down. Offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn (Achilles) is also out, of course, but that Patriot O-line looked like it  had matters in hand, keeping the Chiefs from sacking Brady at all during that AFC Championship. So if you’re tracking injuries, take a look at the list of daily practice participants. Between now and Super Bowl LIII, the coaches will add official injury designations, but for now we are still waiting for them to come available. Before you lock in any wagers for the big game, make sure you check the latest injury updates. For now, the early money seems to have stacked up on New England’s side, pushing the point spread 3 ½ points in their direction from an initial spread of Los Angeles (-1). Pay attention to more articles on this site as well as fantasy football sites, where you can find real-time updates on injuries for both the Rams and the Patriots.