Jordan Love’s Thumb Surgery Won’t Delay Week 1 Start

Jordan Love’s Thumb Drama is No Big Deal… Yet

Green Bay Packers fans, take a deep breath. Yes, Jordan Love had surgery on his throwing hand’s thumb. But no, it’s not time to panic. Word is, he’ll be back at practice soon, and unless there are setbacks, he’s still on track to start Week 1. From a betting perspective, this news doesn’t shift the Packers’ odds drastically.... yet. If he’s back under center with a healthy receiving corps and an improving offensive line (ranked top-10 in the latest O-line rankings), Green Bay remains a sleeper pick to win the NFC North. But if there’s any hint of lingering issues in August, keep an eye on Love’s MVP longshot odds, they’ll evaporate faster than a Lambeau beer in December.

Offensive Line Rankings: Bet On the Big Uglies

Every year, we talk about quarterbacks, skill positions, and defensive playmakers. But savvy bettors know that trenches win games, and bets. Offensive line rankings are out, and there are some movement trends worth considering. The Eagles remain the gold standard, but the Broncos, Vikings, and Bears have quietly built formidable fronts. Denver in particular is a sneaky team to watch. Their line is ranked second overall, and even if their QB play is uneven, that protection could power an overachieving season. Futures bettors should consider Broncos overs and maybe even a cheeky playoff prop.

The Bears are another story. After years of being the NFL’s turnstile, Chicago is finally giving its quarterback time to breathe. With a better line and a maturing Callum Williams, the Bears’ offense could surprise defenses, and bettors. Their team win total might be one of the better over bets on the market right now.

On the flip side, the Chiefs and Lions, two of last year’s darlings, are trending downward. Detroit’s line dropped from first to eighth, and Kansas City’s fell out of the top five entirely. For the Chiefs, this could be a sign that the offense may not be as invincible as usual. If you’re betting Mahomes MVP or KC to win the AFC, tread carefully. Protecting the franchise quarterback is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.

Running Back Renaissance? James Cook Gets Paid

Running backs still matter! At least in Buffalo, where James Cook just inked a new contract extension. This is a vote of confidence from the Bills, and it signals they plan to lean more on their ground game. That’s a good thing for Josh Allen, who’s taken more hits than a drumline over the past few seasons. If Cook stays healthy, his rushing yard props could be a tasty market to target early in the season, especially with the Bills trying to manage Allen’s workload and reduce turnover risk.

“I Can Fix Him” Season Returns: Justin Fields, Trey Lance, and Jalen Ramsey Edition

Welcome back to the most delusional, er, hopeful, time of the NFL calendar: “I Can Fix Him” season. And we've all had a few partners that have thought that of us, until one realises he won't change, just live with it! This year’s candidates include Justin Fields, Trey Lance, and Jalen Ramsey. Fields is now a Jet, where he’ll work behind a vastly improved offensive line and a coaching staff that might actually play to his strengths. If he starts, and that’s still an “if,” Fields’ rushing props and anytime TD bets could offer serious value early on. The Jets are also a wild card pick for the AFC East if everything clicks.... and it usually doesn't!

Meanwhile, Trey Lance is in Charger blue now, learning under Justin Herbert and Jim Harbaugh. This is a low-pressure, high-upside situation. He’s not expected to start, but if injuries hit or if Harbaugh wants to spice things up, Lance could see gadget plays or even packages designed for his mobility. Keep him on your radar for midseason DFS or live betting chaos moments.

And then there’s Jalen Ramsey, who might be the missing piece for a Steelers defense looking to evolve. Ramsey brings swagger, creativity, and versatility. Pittsburgh’s defense is already solid, but if Ramsey can elevate them into elite territory, the Steelers could be a sneaky team to back in divisional matchups, especially against turnover-prone QBs. At the very least pick the Steelers to make the playoffs, they always do.

Injury Watch: Saints, Browns, Chargers. Proceed With Caution

Trevor Penning is out with turf toe again, and that’s an ugly blow for a Saints team already dealing with offensive inconsistency. Without Penning, the Saints’ offensive line, already hovering in the “meh” tier, could struggle to protect their QB, be it Tyler Shough or Spencer Rattler. If you’re eyeing Saints overs or passing props, you might want to wait for better news.

In Cleveland, Dillon Gabriel is questionable, which could open the door for another look at Shedeur Sanders in pre-season. He was meh in the last game. Some good, some bad.. But if he starts, expect the Browns to lean heavily on their run game and short throws. Keep an eye on QB announcements, oddsmakers will move lines fast if Gabriel is ruled out.

The Chargers continue to be the NFL’s most cursed team when it comes to health. Mekhi Becton among the walking wounded. With Rashawn Slater already down, LA’s offensive line has gone from dark horse top-10 to bottom-tier in a matter of weeks. That’s bad news for Herbert and even worse news for bettors backing the Chargers to win the AFC West. Unless Harbaugh pulls a rabbit out of his khakis, proceed with caution.

Key Takeaways

• Jordan Love’s thumb surgery isn’t catastrophic..... yet. But monitor his status closely.
• The Broncos and Bears are rising in the offensive line rankings, bet the overs accordingly.
• James Cook’s contract signals a more balanced Bills offense; his rushing props are worth watching.
• Justin Fields and Trey Lance are “fixer-upper” QBs again. History says high reward, higher risk with these two.
• Injuries to Saints, Browns, and Chargers players could derail early-season bets, stay nimble.