Oddsmakers post higher Super Bowl odds on Bengals after Andy Dalton’s injury
An injury to quarterback Andy Dalton does not necessarily mean the Cincinnati Bengals' season is shot, according to oddsmakers at MGM Resorts.
Oddsmakers at the Westgate Las Vegas view Dalton's absence differently and have made the Bengals long shots to win the Super Bowl.
"We made a significant move on the Bengals," said Jeff Sherman, assistant manager at the Westgate sports book. "The Bengals were fighting for one of the top seeds in the AFC playoffs, and now it's going to be a lot more difficult."
The Westgate adjusted Cincinnati from 8-1 to 25-1 odds on the futures board after Dalton suffered a fractured right thumb Sunday in a 33-20 loss to Pittsburgh.
However, Dalton does not need surgery, and it's possible he could return for the playoffs in January. Dalton said he might even be able to come back for Week 17. Those reports led MGM Resorts to make only a conservative adjustment in the Bengals' odds from 7-1 to 10-1.
Of course, Dalton does not have an impressive postseason history anyway. While he has led Cincinnati to the playoffs in each of his four seasons, he's 0-4 in the playoffs.
Second-year quarterback AJ McCarron will make his first career start this weekend at San Francisco. McCarron passed for 280 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in relief of Dalton against the Steelers.
Cincinnati (10-3) still has a two-game lead over Pittsburgh in the AFC North. The Bengals will be underdogs at Denver on Dec. 28 and home favorites over Baltimore in Week 17.
New England (7-2) is the Super Bowl favorite at the Westgate, followed by Carolina (4-1) and Arizona (5-1). Pittsburgh and Seattle are each at 6-1, with Denver and Green Bay each at 8-1.
The Westgate adjusted its proposition price on the Panthers (13-0) to go 16-0 in the regular season to "No" minus-160 and "Yes" plus-140. Carolina opened as a 5-point road favorite over the New York Giants in Week 15.
Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. Follow him on Twitter: @mattyoumans247
