Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. Pictured: Logan Thomas, Terry McLaurin
With Alex Smith inactive and Taylor Heinicke starting for the Washington Football Team against Tom Brady and the Buccaneers, the spread has reached a historic level.
For the first time in playoff history, a home team will be a double-digit underdog if the current spread holds. Washington is +10 at time of publish (real-time odds). This is according to our Bet Labs data.
The spread opened at 7.5 and reached 9.5 early in the week, but sharps hit Washington to drop the line back to 8. Nothing was stopping the line from getting to double digits once Smith was ruled out on game day.
According to our PRO Report, 57% of bets are on Tampa Bay with the Bucs getting 66% of money.
Heinicke has just one career start, throwing three interceptions against the Falcons in 2018. Smith was 5-1 as Washington’s starter this season. The quarterback switch is worth more than 2 points on the spread, according to our expert’s projections.
On the other side, Brady makes his first playoff start for Tampa Bay. Brady was 30-11 as the starting quarterback in the playoffs for New England.
Smith wasn’t the only injury news in the game. Tampa Bay had both receiver Mike Evans and top corner Carlton Davis listed as questionable entering the weekend. Both are now active and expected to play.
Previously, Seattle was a 9.5-point underdog against the Saints. The Seahawks leaned on Marshawn Lynch to win outright in 2011. The Tim Tebow-led Denver Broncos beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime in 2012 as a 7.5-point underdog.