A Look at the 2019 NFL Odds for Interception and Sack Leaders

Defensive statistics are not as always sexy as touchdowns and yards, but they are often the ones that can make games turn in the blink and an eye. One of the more interesting futures opportunities for sports betting enthusiasts has to do with picking the leaders for the season in such statistics as interceptions and sacks. We have the NFL odds for the top contenders in each of these categories as well as our thoughts on some of the contenders.

A Look at the 2019 NFL Odds for Interception and Sack Leaders

He racked up 12 sacks as a rookie with the @Broncos 💪 That earned @astronaut being ranked 82 on the #NFLTop100! pic.twitter.com/uHduWIJidY

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) July 24, 2019

Odds to Have the Most Sacks in 2019

• Aaron Donald                          20.5                                                     +240
• J.J. Watt                                  16                                                        +500
• Khalil Mack                             12.5                                                     +600
• Von Miller                                14.5                                                     +1000
• Myles Garrett                          13.5                                                     +1400
• Joey Bosa                               N/A                                                      +2000
• Frank Clark                             14                                                        +2200
• DeMarcus Lawrence              10.5                                                     +2200
• Bradley Chubb                        12                                                        +2500
• Chris Jones                             15.5                                                     +2500

Aaron Donald

Donald saw his sack total take off in 2018. In his previous four seasons, he had racked up between eight and 11 sacks each year. The Rams posted 41 total sacks as a team — which means Donald’s massive improvement led to him putting up half the total for the entire team. He also forced four fumbles, and he has created 67 more pressures than any other interior lineman since 2016. His workout regimen changed in the off-season before the 2018 campaign so that he would be stronger and faster.

J.J. Watt

Watt put up 16 sacks and finished as runner-up to Donald as the league leader. Houston permitted just 19.8 points per game, fourth-lowest in the league. He is also 30 years old, and he has suffered injuries over the last few seasons that kept him from playing for long periods of time. In 2012 and 2014, he put up 20.5 sacks per season, but if he stays healthy, he could rack up 16 to 18 this season, so if the Rams’ opponents figure out how to manage Donald, Watt could take the title.

Khalil Mack

Mack had his highest sack total in 2015, when he posted 15. In 2016, he had 11, and then he had 10.5 in 2017. In Chicago, that number jumped up to 12.5. As he continues to mesh with the Chicago defensive scheme, that number has an excellent shot to increase again — which means that he represents a real value choice here.

Odds to Throw the Most Interceptions in 2019

• Ben Roethlisberger                             16                                                        +800
• Jameis Winston                                   14                                                        +800
• Josh Allen                                           12                                                        +1000
• Kyler Murray                                       7 (in college)                                       +1000
• Sam Darnold                                       15                                                        +1100
• Cam Newton                                       13                                                        +1400
• Philip Rivers                                        12                                                        +1400
• Dwayne Haskins                                 8 (in college)                                       +1600
• Baker Mayfield                                    14                                                        +1600
• Josh Rosen                                         14                                                        +1600

Ben Roethlisberger

Roethilsberger led the NFL in passing yards (5,129) AND interceptions, with 16, in 2019. Antonio Brown, his top receiver, is now in Oakland with the rebuilding Raiders. Juju Smith-Schuster is still around, but how comfortable will Big Ben be now that he has that two-year, $68 million contract extension?

Jameis Winston

Winston has 58 interceptions in his first four seasons. He will have a new head coach (Bruce Arians) and a new offensive coordinator (Byron Leftwich). Arians likes an attack that pushes the ball down the field, so I would expect Winston to have some big numbers, but one of those big numbers will be his interception total.

Josh Allen

Allen had 10 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions, taking 28 sacks. Allen was a rookie and only played in 12 games, so if you expand that to an entire season, he could end up leading the league. However, he is also used to the speed of the game — and the Bills made some upgrades to their offensive line, so he should not have to spend as much time running for his life. Expect some growing pains, but expect improvement in Buffalo.