NFL Week 4 Odds Report: Brian Hoyer Likely Starting for Raiders at QB

All sportsbooks offer a weekly prop on whether there will be an overtime game at pretty long odds, and bettors who took that prop each of the first three weeks cashed in. Only five previous seasons (2021, 2018, 2002, 1983 and 1979) had an overtime game in each of the first four weeks. Let’s break down three Week 4 games that have seen odds shifts and why – and it usually involves a quarterback.

Rams at Colts

+1 to -1.5

Indianapolis played without rookie No. 4 overall pick QB Anthony Richardson due to a concussion in Week 3, but the Colts have one of the best backups in the NFL in veteran Gardner Minshew and he led a stunning 22-19 OT win in Baltimore. Most NFL experts didn’t project the Colts to perhaps win their second game this year until November, but they are 2-1. Richardson, who showed what a dual-threat star he can be in the first two games, has been cleared and will start Sunday. And his centre, Ryan Kelly, also is out of protocol and will go. Richardson himself helped with the line shift but also that the Rams were offensively inept Monday night in Cincinnati and obviously on a short week. They might be down top tight end Tyler Higbee, and stellar rookie WR Puka Nacua is dealing with an oblique injury but probably fights through it. The fifth-round pick has the most receptions (30) through three career games in NFL history. We think Indy ends its six-game home skid. It hasn’t lost seven in a row at home since 1991.

Vikings at Panthers

+3 to +4.5

Last week when Carolina visited Seattle and Panthers rookie No. 1 overall QB Bryce Young was ruled out a few days beforehand with an ankle injury, the Cats became shorter underdogs instead of longer. Very, very rare that happens because a team is WITHOUT its starting QB. Young will return Sunday and that’s why this number has moved toward Minnesota (Panthers also are really banged up on defence). While Young’s offensive line has to take some blame, the former Heisman winner simply looks overwhelmed so far with only 299 yards passing and two picks in two games. Young has averaged 4.2 yards per attempt in his first two NFL games, the third-fewest yards per attempt number in a QB’s first two career games in NFL history (minimum 50 attempts). Is Carolina better right now with veteran Andy Dalton starting? Probably as he threw for 361 yards and two scores with no interceptions in Week 3 as the Panthers scored a season-high 27 points but lost regardless. Maybe Young gets mentally healthy against a terrible Vikings defence that has allowed a 27.3 points and 261.7 passing yards per game through the first three weeks.

Raiders at Chargers

-4 to -5.5

Jimmy Garoppolo was maybe the Raiders’ No. 3 choice this offseason to be their starting quarterback behind at least Tom Brady (retired) and Aaron Rodgers (traded to Jets). Jimmy G’s reunion with his former Patriots offensive coordinator and Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels has not gone well with Las Vegas at 1-2 and McDaniels among the betting favourites to be the first coach fired. Garoppolo has thrown six picks already and is iffy for Sunday with a concussion suffered in the Week 3 loss to Pittsburgh. No player yet this season has suffered a concussion and gotten out of the protocol in time to NOT miss a game. Thus it most likely will be 15-year veteran journeyman Brian Hoyer under centre. Hoyer has made millions of dollars while largely holding a clipboard as he has made only 40 career starts. Most of those were from 2013-17 and Hoyer hasn’t won one since 2016 – 12 straight losses. Rookie Aidan O’Connell, a fourth-round draft pick from Purdue who has yet to be active for an NFL game, is the other QB on the roster.