Sportsbooks take Detroit Lions off the board after QB Jared Goff placed on COVID-19 list
Lance PugmireEven before the NFL’s overwhelming Week 15 bout with coronavirus could conclude, another prominent quarterback was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list about 24 hours after leading Detroit (2-11-1) to its stunning 30-12 upset victory over the NFC West-leading Arizona Cardinals Sunday at Ford Field.
Goff was superb, completing 21 of 26 passes for 216 yards and three touchdowns in what opposing quarterback Kyle Murray called a “hungrier” effort by the Lions.
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The Lions are scheduled to play Atlanta this weekend, and traders at Tipico Sportsbook moved the game off the board with Goff testing positive. The Falcons (6-8) were initially established as a 3.5-point favorite when the news broke. Other books, including the Las Vegas Superbook, also removed the game pending further information.
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The Falcons were likely to increase to at least a -5.5 favorite due to the Goff news, an industry official told USA TODAY Sports+ on Monday. The individual was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter because internal discussions were still ongoing.
Goff’s backup is Tim Boyle, a fourth-year pro out of Eastern Kentucky who is 15 of 23 passing for 77 yards and two interceptions this season.
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Landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list has proven unpredictable for bettors and fans wanting to know when an affected player could return.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield tested positive last week and still couldn't clear protocol for the Browns' game against the Raiders Monday. The NFL had postponed the game one day but the Browns still had 19 players and staff on the reserve/COVID-19 list at kickoff Monday.
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