Playing quarterback in the NFL is the most valuable position in team sports, but every team has a different starting and backup QB, so determining the gap in point-spread value between the two can be an extremely useful tool for bettors.
Put another way: How much would the spread move if Patrick Mahomes was suddenly injured leading up to a game and Justin Fields was forced to be the starter?
It's an important question for bettors (and bookmakers) alike to answer, and one that has real-world applications every NFL season.
For example, back in January when Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix was ruled out of the AFC Championship Game with a broken ankle suddenly (leaving Jarrett Stidham as the starter), the Broncos went from a lookahead line of Denver -1.5 to +4.5 against the New England Patriots (which was then quickly bet up to Denver +5.5).
Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2026 NFL season
#starter
Put another way: How much would the spread move if Patrick Mahomes was suddenly injured leading up to a game and Justin Fields was forced to be the starter?
It's an important question for bettors (and bookmakers) alike to answer, and one that has real-world applications every NFL season.
For example, back in January when Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix was ruled out of the AFC Championship Game with a broken ankle suddenly (leaving Jarrett Stidham as the starter), the Broncos went from a lookahead line of Denver -1.5 to +4.5 against the New England Patriots (which was then quickly bet up to Denver +5.5).
Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2026 NFL season
#starter
3 months ago
