NFL Week 13 Odds & Key Injuries: Bettors Beware

Atlanta QB Matt Ryan won't be playing on Sunday, but backup Chris Redman is cool with stepping up. (AP Images)

Matt Ryan, QB, and Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons: Ryan is officially out of Sunday’s big home game with the Eagles after suffering a turf toe injury in last Sunday’s win over Tampa Bay. Chris Redman, who threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns while leading the Falcons to a comeback against the Bucs, gets his first start since 2007. He may not have Turner to hand off to, as the star running back is very uncertain after aggravating an already ailing ankle against the Bucs and leaving early. Atlanta is a long shot to make the playoffs if it doesn’t beat Philly because the Falcons would then be down the head-to-head tiebreaker to both the Eagles and Giants among likely wild card teams (the Packers would be the fourth likely wild-card club, and they are already a game ahead of the Falcons). There is no line yet on Philadelphia-Atlanta on Bodog’s NFL odds.

Brian Westbrook, RB, and DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles: Westbrook will sit yet another week with his concussion, and it’s all but certain that Jackson will join him on the sidelines against Atlanta. Jackson, arguably the biggest-play threat in the NFC this season, suffered a concussion of his own Sunday against the Redskins and temporarily lost consciousness. Jackson leads the team with 769 receiving yards and six touchdowns. There is no line on the Eagles-Falcons yet on Bodog’s NFL odds.

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Big Ben missed last Sunday’s loss to Baltimore with a concussion but is expected to play this week against Oakland. Roethlisberger hasn’t suffered from any concussion-like symptoms since last Friday, but a neurologist recommended he not play against the Ravens. Pittsburgh needs a win badly, having lost three games in a row to fall into the middle of the wild-card pack in the AFC. There is no line yet on this game on Bodog’s NFL odds but there should be one posted once Big Ben practices Wednesday.

Jake Delhomme, QB, Carolina Panthers: Delhomme’s terrible season got worse last week when he broke a finger on his throwing hand, and he’s expected to sit out Sunday’s home game against Tampa Bay. Matt Moore, who started three games as a rookie in 2007 but didn’t play in a single game in 2008 and has thrown all of one pass this season, will start against the Bucs. There is no line posted on Bodog’s NFL odds for this game as of yet.

Kurt Warner, QB, Arizona Cardinals: Warner was a late scratch last week against Tennessee and his status for Sunday’s game with Minnesota is up in the air as he deals with concussion symptoms. Warner practiced all week and was expected to play against the Titans but then started suffering from eyesight issues. He probably will be a game-time call against the Vikes, and there’s no line on Bodog’s NFL odds yet because of Warner’s status.

Cedric Benson, RB, Cincinnati Bengals: Benson, who has missed the past two games with a hip injury, expects to return and start Sunday against the Lions. Before he was hurt, Benson led the league in rushing attempts with 205 in nine games, but both Bernard Scott and Larry Johnson could steal carries from Benson; Scott, however, is iffy this week with his own injury. A victory Sunday would give the Bengals only their second winning season in the past 19 years, and they are 13-point favorites on Bodog’s NFL odds.

Matthew Stafford, QB, and Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions: Both banged-up players did play in the Thanksgiving loss to Green Bay and both are expected to go again Sunday in Cincinnati although it’s evident neither is 100 percent. Detroit is +13 on Bodog’s NFL odds.

Lance Briggs, LB, Chicago Bears: Briggs, the team’s best defensive player, is likely to be game-time call this week against the Rams after suffering a knee sprain and hip pointer in Sunday’s loss the Vikings. Chicago has lost six of seven (1-6 ATS) but is a 9-point favorite on Bodog’s NFL odds over St. Louis.

Shaun Rogers, DT, Cleveland Browns: One of Cleveland’s few good defenders, Rogers is done for the season after being placed on injured reserve this week with a leg injury. Rogers, a three-time Pro Bowler, recorded 36 tackles with two sacks, two blocked extra points and one blocked field goal this year. Without him, there’s simply no one to fear on that side of the ball for Cleveland’s opponents. The Browns are 13-point home dogs this week to San Diego on Bodog’s NFL odds.

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