Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl Odds Lengthen on Carson Wentz Injury

Posted on: December 11, 2017, 09:00h. 

Last updated on: December 11, 2017, 09:03h.

Oddsmakers are lengthening the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl odds this morning after star quarterback Carson Wentz suffered a devastating injury in the third quarter of the team’s 43-35 win over the Los Angeles Rams.

Super Bowl odds Carson Wentz
Carson Wentz exited yesterday’s game with a potentially season-ending injury. The Eagles’ Super Bowl odds might have left with him. (Image: Jeff Gross/Getty)

Initial testing detected loose ligaments around Wentz’s knee. The second-year quarterback will undergo a full MRI today, but loose ligaments usually indicates a torn ACL. If that’s indeed the result, Wentz will likely be done for the year.

Former QB starter Nick Foles led the Eagles to two field goal drives in the fourth, which capped off an otherwise exciting win for Philly fans. Wentz’s injury, however, kept the celebration to a minimum.

“NFC East Champs! So proud of the resiliency of this team,” Wentz tweeted afterwards. “I greatly appreciate all the prayers! I know my God is a powerful one with a perfect plan. Time to just lean in to him and trust whatever the circumstances!”

The circumstances at the sportsbooks are that oddsmakers feel the Eagles have a slimmer chance at winning their first Super Bowl since 1960.

Online book Bovada lengthened Philadelphia’s Super Bowl odds from 11-2 to 9-1 That alters the line’s implied odds of winning the big game from about 15 percent to 10 percent.

With their record at 11-2, the Eagles are heading to the playoffs for the first time since 2013. If the regular season ended today, they would also receive a first-round bye.

It’s the second consecutive year that a quarterback “coming out” party has been ruined during the regular season. On Christmas Eve in 2016, Oakland Raiders star Derek Carr suffered a season-ending injury in week 15. Then 12-3, the Raiders went on to lose in the Wild Card round.

So You’re Telling Me There’s a Chance

Sportsbooks in Las Vegas are also adjusting the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl offering. The Westgate SuperBook lengthened their title chances to 10-1. Before the big win over the Rams (9-4), the Westgate SuperBook had Philly at 4-1 to win Super Bowl 52, which was the third-shortest line. Only the New England Patriots (2-1) and Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2) were shorter.

However, football prediction simulators still have plenty of faith in the Eagles. CBS’ Sportsline says its simulator gives Philadelphia a 90.3 chance of claiming the top seed in the NFC, down less than four percent. CBS also still has the Eagles with a 15.5 percent chance of winning the Super Bowl, down from 18.3 percent.

FiveThirtyEight, Nate Silver’s website that focuses on opinion analysis, has the Eagles with a nearly certain first-round bye (99 percent likely), and 18 percent chance of winning the Super Bowl.

Which team is the favorite across the board? The Pats, of course, which have a 30 percent chance of defending their title.