Unpredictability in NFL Opens Up Opportunities

As we come to understand our new normal, cohabitating with the coronavirus, major sports leagues are restarting. Some have limited seasons, or “bubbles,” but all that are revving up again are doing so with increased uncertainty. For those bettors who are savvy with the NFL and with the COVID-19 fallout, will be boat positioned to take advantage of this incertitude.

NFL Is revving up

While the MLB and NHL are relying on bubble systems, a semi-enclosed system where players will eat, live, train, and play, the NFL has no bubble.

Nonetheless, the NFL has reached a deal with the players’ union to start on September 10, 2020.

So, what are the limitations and measures to protect its players? What will the 2020 NFL season look like?

A huge difference this year is the scrapping of the preseason. This decision was made to limit the possibility of infections. An unintended consequence of this decision is that it makes it harder to predict how the teams will fare in the regular season.

All players and staff must be tested twice before entering training facilities, and they will undergo regular testing throughout the season.

While other leagues are performing without any fans at all, the NFL has opted for a more patchwork policy. Their policy on fans will depend on the local guidelines in place. For example, MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where the Giants and Jets play their home games, will respect the state guidelines and not allow fans inside.

While other teams, such as the Miami Dolphins, have decided to let fans in. There will be restrictions. The capacity will be reduced, and fans will be required to wear masks during the game.

Uncertainty and opportunity

The NFL is returning with extra doses of uncertainty this year. It is always an explosive game, prone to upsets. This year is especially likely to hide some surprises.

The NFL, being the biggest sports league without a bubble, is more prone to star athletes or quarterbacks having to sit out for the game due to infection, or potential infection.

The boost from home-field advantage is also up in the air. What will it mean to play in your hometown without fans?

Where there is increased uncertainty also means that the betting lines will be more valuable. This year, making the best football bets will require additional skills. Knowing how to bet on football will not be enough.

In addition to understanding sports betting, and details of NFL stats, this year, the best bettors will also understand the political and social fallout of the coronavirus. Will the CHicago Bears or the Green Bay Packers be more likely to play with fans present? Are players in New York or California more likely to become infected?

Whoever can master the details of these subjects will have huge win margins. When there are more opportunities for surprises, you also find more opportunities for larger profits.

Kaepernick

Another significant source of potential disruption to normality this year is the return of Colin Kaepernick. This excellent athlete was blacklisted from the NFL because he took a knee in protest during the national anthem.

Recently, the NFL seems to have changed course and Kaepernick is likely to be signed to an NFL team this year. We can speculate where he will sign, but we can never be sure until it is officially announced.

Keapernick is not the only blacklisted supporter of Black lives who will now be welcomed back into the NFL.  The summer’s social unrest have added a new layer of potential surprises this year.

NFL and Health of its Players

The NFL has also the health of its staff and players to think about. While most players are in excellent health, many staff and eve players have underlying conditions that make them especially fragile in the face of the coronavirus.

This is not the NFL’s first controversy when it comes to player health. They have also had to rethink certain policies to reduce concussions and long-term brain damage.

The NFL will want to avoid a public relations quagmire here. We will see how they weigh their options. For now, all 17 weeks of the regular season are scheduled, and available for sports bettors to dig their teeth into.

Unpredictability in NFL Opens Up Opportunities to NFL Football Blog

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