The Braves and Phillies have become familiar postseason opponents, and they’re set to meet again in the NL wild-card round.

Atlanta enters as a slight favorite, but the odds suggest a close series between the NL East rivals.

Let’s check out the series odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of Sept. 29, along with what to know about the matchup.

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

NL Wild Card: Braves vs. Phillies

   Series Winner

Braves: -310 (bet $10 to win $13.23 total)
Phillies: +240 (bet $10 to win $34 total)

   Correct Score

Braves win 2-0: +210 (bet $10 to win $31 total)
Phillies win 2-1: +225 (bet $10 to win $32.50 total)
Braves win 2-1: +290 (bet $10 to win $39 total)
Phillies win 2-0: +380 (bet $10 to win $48 total)

   Game 1 — ATL 5, PHI 3

Spread: Braves -1.5 (ATL covers)
Moneyline: Braves -192, Phillies +158 (ATL wins)
O/U: 6.5 (Over hits)

   Game 2 (Sept. 30)

Spread: Phillies -1.5 (+148), Braves +1.5 (-180)
Moneyline: Phillies -121, Braves +100
O/U: 7

Here’s what to know about the Braves-Phillies odds:

Season Series: The Braves won the regular-season series against the Phillies 9-4, outscoring them 66-43 across 13 games. Atlanta swept a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park in April, then took two of three at Truist Park the following week. The teams split four games in Philadelphia in early September before the Braves won two of three in Atlanta to close the head-to-head schedule. Atlanta finished 5-2 in Philadelphia and 4-2 at home.

Game 1: Talk about a hot start to the postseason. In the first playoff game of the year, Atlanta and Philadelphia did not disappoint. After the Braves took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth, off an Ozzie Albies RBI triple, J.T. Realmuto returned the favor for Philly, hitting his own triple in the top of the seventh that drove in two runs, giving the Phillies a 3-2 lead. Realmuto was almost the hero of the day, but Austin Riley must have had other thoughts, because he hit a 3-run homer in the bottom of the eighth that put the Braves in front for good. Game 2 is set for Wednesday in Atlanta.

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Christian Lundgaard still seems a little surprised that he has ended up at Chip Ganassi Racing.

The 25-year-old driver finished third in the 2026 INDYCAR standings with two victories — victories he earned before he was told in July that he wouldn’t be retained at Arrow McLaren. 

That had to be devastating. 

Christian Lundgaard is out at McLaren but has found a new ride at Ganassi.

–>

And yet it could easily be argued he is moving up to a better organization at Chip Ganassi Racing, an organization that has won six of the last seven INDYCAR titles.

“It’s still a big question mark to me, and I think it is too many,” Lundgaard said during a virtual news conference on Tuesday. “I choose to look at it in a very different way. I’ve done well and a better opportunity has arose versus what it could have been.

“I think this is a conversation that Chip and I have already had. We’re just looking forward now. It’s not really look back.”

Lundgaard is happy to be looking “forward” not back.

–>

But it’s hard not to look back because of the bizarre situation. 

Arrow McLaren, with a heavy focus on winning the Indianapolis 500, determined it would do better by adding six-time Scott Dixon and 2026 Indy 500 winner Felix Rosenqvist to the organization.

That meant that Lundgaard and Nolan Siegel were out. 

Now Lundgaard replaces Dixon — who last won a title in 2020 — at Ganassi, where Alex Palou has been the dominant driver in capturing five titles over the last six years (including the last four).

Lundgaard spent three years at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, where he won one race and then the last two at McLaren. He now joins CGR as the driver of the iconic No. 9 with sponsorship from PNC Bank.

“I think I’ve learned so many things in the past five years, on track, off track, matured a lot from when I joined INDYCAR … to now having the experience that I have,” Lundgaard said.

Lundgaard acknowledges that he has big shoes to fill.

–>

“It’s really [thinking about] just what I’ve done to achieve this in many ways. I wish them the best, but it’s definitely big shoes to fill.”

While it has been nearly three months since Lundgaard found out he would be released, it became clear relatively quickly that he would land at Ganassi. 

But it still didn’t make it easy.

“A lot of long nights, a lot of long race weekends, in all honesty,” Ludngaard said. “Obviously, I found out a couple of hours before the media found out back in [July]. I sort of had an idea midway through the season that that was a possibility, and I tried to just keep my head down.

“I know the media likes to talk about the relationship between the teammates there. For me, it was I need to just keep my head down and do the best that I can. I knew there was an opportunity here, and we made it work.”

One thing’s for sure: It has been a roller coaster of a season for Lundgaard.

“Obviously, I was very disappointed, very confused, and I’m sure I share that opinion with many,” Lundgaard said.

“But as soon as the conversations started, that was when I knew there was a chance, and all I had to do was keep performing on track, and it would all fall into place.”

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It would be hard to tell the story of Major League Baseball without talking about the rivalry between the Yankees and Red Sox. 

That rivalry will write another chapter this postseason, with the two teams set to face off in the AL wild-card round. 

Let’s check out the odds for the series at DraftKings Sportsbook as of Sept. 29, as well as what to know.

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

AL Wild Card: Yankees vs. Red Sox

  Series Winner

Yankees: -135 (bet $10 to win $17.41 total)
Red Sox: +115 (bet $10 to win $21.50 total)

  Correct Score

Yankees win 2-0: +205 (bet $10 to win $30.50 total)
Yankees win 2-1: +235 (bet $10 to win $33.50 total)
Red Sox win 2-1: +290 (bet $10 to win $39 total)
Red Sox win 2-0: +360 (bet $10 to win $46 total)

  Game 1 (Sept. 29)

Spread: Yankees -1.5 (+159), Red Sox +1.5 (-194)
Moneyline: Yankees -140, Red Sox +116
O/U: 6

Here’s what to know about the Yankees-Red Sox odds:

Season Series: The Yankees won the regular-season matchup between the two teams 7-6. Boston was 4-3 at home against New York at home, and New York was 4-2 at home against Boston. However, the Yankees won three of the last four over the Red Sox, including a 16-1 demolition on Aug. 30. 

MLB’s Greatest Rivalry: It doesn’t get much better than Yankees vs. Red Sox, does it? The two teams faced off in the wild-card round just last season, and N.Y. emerged victorious in three games. Prior to that, Boston defeated New York in the AL wild-card game in 2021, and beat the Yanks 3-1 in the AL divisional round back in 2018. The series took a bit of a turn on Tuesday, however, when it was announced that Aaron Judge had been left off the wild-card roster for the Yankees due to a calf injury. He hasn’t played since Sept. 16, and during the regular season, he played only 66 games.

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The four MLB wild-card series are set, with more than a few juggernaut matchups.

Get ready for the MLB postseason with FOX Sports’ wild-card series hub. 

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

AL Wild Card Series

Season Series: Houston went 5-2 against the White Sox in the regular season.

Game 1 Matchup: AJ Blubaugh (HOU) vs. Hagen Smith (CHW)

What To Know: Prior to this season, Chicago had at least 100 losses in each of the last three seasons. They last made the playoffs in 2021, and last won a playoff series in 2005, the same year they last won the World Series. As for the Astros, they have World Series wins in 2017 and 2022 and World Series losses in 2019 and 2021. 

FULL SERIES PRIMER

Everything you need to know ahead of Astros-White Sox.

Season Series: The Yankees went 7-6 against the Red Sox in the regular season.

Game 1 Matchup: Cam Schlittler (NYY) vs. Payton Tolle (BOS)

What To Know: The two teams faced off in the wild-card round just last season, and N.Y. emerged victorious in three games. Prior to that, Boston defeated New York in the AL wild-card game in 2021, and beat the Yanks 3-1 in the AL divisional round back in 2018. 

FULL SERIES PRIMER

The rivalry continues. Everything you need to know about Yankees-Red Sox.

NL Wild Card Series

Season Series: During the regular season, the Cubs went 5-1 against the Padres.

Game 1 Matchup: Michael King (SD) vs. Matthew Boyd (CHI)

What To Know: The Cubs beat the Padres 2-1 in last year’s wild-card round, but that series was played at Wrigley Field. The series now shifts to Petco Park. While Pete Crow-Armstrong has taken the baseball world by storm this summer and is a likely MVP, the Padres have been one of baseball’s hottest teams. San Diego owns MLB’s best record since July 24.

FULL SERIES PRIMER

The Cubs and Padres will meet in the wild card for a second straight season. See the odds.

Wild-Card Series: Atlanta leads 1-0

Game 1: The Braves eked out a 5-3 victory in Game 1 behind a 3-run homer from Austin Riley in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Game 2 Matchup: Cristopher Sanchez (PHI) vs. Tyler Mahle (ATL)

What To Know: The Braves and Phillies know each other well, and their rivalry has carried into October. The Phillies beat the Braves 3-1 in back-to-back division series in 2022 and 2023, and have won all three postseason series between the teams. Atlanta is on the right track in putting an end to that trend, however, taking a 1-0 lead over Philly in their best-of-three wild-card series. 

FULL SERIES PRIMER

Atlanta leads 1-0 in the best-of-three series. See the latest odds.

MLB Odds Stories

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The New England Patriots visit the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, September 27, 2026 from EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL. New England beat Pittsburgh 20-3 on Sept. 20 and Jacksonville lost at Denver in Week 2.

New England allows a league-best 8 points per game with 6 sacks. Jacksonville allows 15 points per game and carries a plus-2 turnover margin.

Jacksonville converts 45.5 percent of third downs. New England averages 122.5 rushing yards per game.

The Jaguars are 3-point favorites over the Patriots.

Below, we’ll give you all the details you need to know about how to watch this game.

How to Watch Patriots vs. Jaguars

• When: Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. ET
• Where: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL
• TV: CBS
• Stream: Paramount+
• Follow Live: FOX Sports

Players To Watch

Facing the league’s stingiest defense through two weeks complicates things for Jacksonville’s passing attack, and most of that weight lands on Lawrence. He has 434 passing yards and 4 touchdown passes on the season, though his Week 2 line told a rougher story: 17 of 29 for 189 yards, no touchdowns and an interception in the loss to Denver. Jacksonville is converting 45.5 percent of its third downs, 10th in the NFL, a number that leans heavily on Lawrence extending drives.

New England has allowed just 8 points per game through two games, the best mark in the league, and that defense will test whether Lawrence can clean up the mistakes from last week’s second half. A steadier outing from him keeps Jacksonville in control of the clock.

Targets are trending up for Thomas even though the production hasn’t caught up yet. He drew 8 looks against Denver on September 20, more than double his Week 1 total, but finished with just 3 catches for 40 yards, the same yardage total he posted in the opener.

New England’s defense has already racked up 6 sacks through two games, a pass rush that could make it harder for Thomas to turn volume into a breakout day. Jacksonville still needs him to produce the chunk plays that have been missing so far.

New England’s passing game needs to find another gear, and Maye sits at the center of that search. He has thrown for 386 yards and 1 touchdown through two games, but 4 interceptions and a 63.1 passer rating tell the fuller story, including a Week 2 line of 208 yards and 1 interception in the 20-3 win over Pittsburgh.

Jacksonville is plus-2 in turnover margin, tied for fifth in the league. Better ball security against that unit would let New England’s passing game finally complement its defense.

Henderson wasted no time making an impact in his season debut on September 20, rushing 16 times for 76 yards and a 39-yard touchdown in the 20-3 win over Pittsburgh. That burst pushed New England’s rushing average to 122.5 yards per game, ninth-best in the league through two weeks.

Jacksonville has allowed 15 points per game so far, and a heavier ground game gives New England another way to shorten the game and rest its own defense. The early burst points to a more balanced offense than the one that opened the season without him.

Patriots vs. Jaguars Odds

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The Houston Texans visit the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, September 27, 2026 from Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN. Both teams are 0-2 after Week 2 losses to Cincinnati and Kansas City respectively.

Houston allows 85.5 rushing yards per game. Indianapolis allows 337.5 passing yards and 530 total yards per game.

Houston has 7 sacks through two weeks. Indianapolis averages 26.5 points per game.

The Texans are 2.5-point favorites over the Colts.

Below, we’ll give you all the details you need to know about how to watch this game.

How to Watch Texans vs. Colts

• When: Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. ET
• Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
• TV: CBS
• Stream: Paramount+
• Follow Live: FOX Sports

Players To Watch

Indianapolis is leaning on the run more than anything else so far, and Taylor is doing the heavy lifting. Through two games he has carried 43 times for 190 yards and 4 touchdowns, adding 7 catches for 63 yards out of the backfield. On September 20 against Kansas City alone, he turned 24 carries into 92 yards and 2 touchdowns while catching 4 passes for 40 yards.

He gets a Houston defense that has held up far better against the run than the pass, allowing just 85.5 rushing yards per game through two weeks. Indianapolis has kept riding that approach through an 0-2 start, and there is no reason for that to change on Sunday.

Stroud has kept producing even as Houston sits at 0-2, throwing for 627 yards, 2 touchdowns and zero interceptions across two games, an average of 313.5 yards per outing. He threw for 353 yards in last week’s loss to Cincinnati after opening the season with 274 against Buffalo, back-to-back 270-plus-yard performances.

That volume lines up well against a Colts defense that has been carved up early, allowing 337.5 passing yards per game. Houston’s offense has had to travel through the air in both losses, and Stroud’s arm is the clearest reason it has stayed competitive.

Houston’s passing game has increasingly funneled through the middle of the field, and Schultz is the one catching the ball there. He leads the Texans with 175 receiving yards on 16 catches through two games, including a 12-catch, 140-yard outing on September 20 against Cincinnati.

Indianapolis has been vulnerable to sustained drives, allowing 530.0 total yards per game, and Schultz’s work underneath figures to test that again. Houston has already shown it will feed him at that volume when the matchup allows it.

Jones has kept Indianapolis competitive through two starts, throwing for 376 yards and 2 touchdowns against 2 interceptions, with the offense averaging 26.5 points per game overall. The record still reads 0-2.

Houston’s front has racked up 7 sacks in two games, yet Jones has been sacked just twice himself, an encouraging sign for his pocket management so far. If he avoids untimely turnovers and finishes the drives this passing game keeps building, the Colts can finally turn one of these leads into a win.

Texans vs. Colts Odds

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The Cincinnati Bengals visit the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, September 27, 2026 from Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA. Cincinnati is 2-0 after a win over Houston and Pittsburgh lost to New England last week.

Cincinnati averages 26.5 points per game and converts 44.8 percent of third downs. Pittsburgh averages 11.5 points with 175 passing yards per game and ranks 31st in third-down conversion.

Cincinnati has 8 sacks and a league-best plus-3 turnover margin. Pittsburgh allows 16.5 points per game with 3 interceptions and averages 74.5 rushing yards per game.

The Bengals are 3.5-point favorites over the Steelers.

Below, we’ll give you all the details you need to know about how to watch this game.

How to Watch Bengals vs. Steelers

• When: Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. ET
• Where: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
• TV: CBS
• Stream: Paramount+
• Follow Live: FOX Sports

Players To Watch

Cincinnati needs its passing game to keep carrying the offense, and Burrow has delivered. He leads the Bengals with 461 yards and three touchdowns through two games, and Cincinnati is averaging 26.5 points while converting 44.8 percent of its third downs.

Pittsburgh’s defense has allowed 16.5 points a game through two weeks, and Burrow gets a chance to keep that pace going on the road against a unit still finding its footing.

Tee Higgins is riding a hot stretch into this matchup. He caught five passes for 95 yards in last week’s win over Houston, and through two games he has eight receptions for 154 yards, a 19.3-yard average per catch.

Pittsburgh’s defense has already picked off three passes this season, so ball security on contested throws will matter for Higgins against that secondary. Cincinnati’s passing game leans on him to win those looks regardless of coverage.

A Cincinnati defense that already has eight sacks this season, tied for the most in the league, is the next test for a Pittsburgh passing attack that has produced next to nothing so far. Rodgers has thrown for 408 yards and one touchdown through two games, but the Steelers are averaging just 11.5 points and 175 passing yards a game, ranking 29th in passing offense and 31st in third-down conversion at 20 percent.

Rodgers has faced pressure early, and finding rhythm behind a shaky Pittsburgh line remains the challenge this week.

Rico Dowdle is ruled out for Sunday with a toe injury from last week’s loss to New England, leaving Warren in line for a bigger workload. Warren is listed as questionable with a shoulder injury. He turned 11 carries into 43 yards and added two catches for 34 yards in that game, and Pittsburgh is averaging 74.5 rushing yards a game on 3.4 yards per carry this season. 

Cincinnati protects the ball at a league-best rate, with a plus-3 turnover margin through two games, so avoiding negative plays and controlling the clock will matter for Warren and Pittsburgh’s offense Sunday.

Bengals vs. Steelers Odds

Learn more about the Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers game and check the full schedule on FOX Sports!

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The Las Vegas Raiders visit the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, September 27, 2026 from Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA. Las Vegas is 2-0 after a Sept. 20 win over the Chargers and New Orleans is 1-1 after a Sept. 20 win over Baltimore.

Las Vegas allows 13.5 points per game with 8 sacks and 3 interceptions. New Orleans averages 305.5 passing yards per game and leads the NFL in receiving yards per game at 331.

Las Vegas has 9 passes defended while allowing 30 completions on 55 targets. New Orleans allows 136.5 rushing yards per game and carries a minus-1 turnover margin with 4 sacks.

The Saints are 3-point favorites over the Raiders.

Below, we’ll give you all the details you need to know about how to watch this game.

How to Watch Raiders vs. Saints

• When: Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 4:25 p.m. ET
• Where: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA
• TV: CBS
• Stream: Paramount+
• Follow Live: FOX Sports

Players To Watch

New Orleans’ passing game has propped up an offense that sits 1-1 overall, and Shough has been at the center of it through two weeks. He has thrown for 662 yards and 4 touchdowns, the Saints are averaging 305.5 passing yards per game, second most in the league, and New Orleans has converted 50 percent of its third downs behind him.

Las Vegas brings the toughest test yet: the Raiders have piled up 8 sacks and 3 interceptions while allowing just 13.5 points per game through two weeks. How Shough handles that rush will shape how often New Orleans’ receiving corps, which leads the NFL in receiving yards per game at 331, gets the ball in space.

Jeanty’s workload keeps climbing before the per-carry average has caught up to it. He handled 25 touches in the Week 2 win over the Chargers on September 20, 21 carries for 48 yards and 4 catches for 15 yards, and he has stayed the clear lead back through two games while also working as a safety valve in the passing game.

New Orleans has allowed 136.5 rushing yards per game through two weeks, a number that gives Jeanty room to work. Consistent touches on early downs keep the Raiders offense ahead of the chains and force New Orleans to respect the run, which opens driving lanes underneath for the rest of the offense.

Windows have been tight against every team the Raiders have faced through two weeks, but Olave has still turned into New Orleans’ most reliable target regardless. He caught 8 of 10 targets for 86 yards and a touchdown in the Saints’ September 20 win over Baltimore, and his season line now sits at 18 catches for 268 yards and a score on 23 targets, tops on the team in every category.

Las Vegas has allowed just 30 completions on 55 targets through two games and has 9 passes defended, evidence of a secondary that has bothered nearly everyone it has faced. Olave’s route timing gives New Orleans a way to beat that coverage in the game’s most important moments.

Cousins has quietly directed the Raiders to a 2-0 start, and the numbers back up the results. He has thrown for 413 yards and 6 touchdowns, tied for the most in the league, on a 68 percent completion rate, giving Las Vegas a steady presence in the red zone through two weeks.

New Orleans has piled up 4 sacks through two weeks, but the Saints sit at minus-1 in turnover margin, a shaky number that hands Las Vegas short fields whenever Cousins finishes the possession that follows.

Raiders vs. Saints Odds

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The Los Angeles Rams visit the Denver Broncos on Sunday, September 27, 2026 from Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO. Both teams are 1-1 after Week 2 wins over the Giants and Jaguars respectively. 

Los Angeles has 10 sacks and allows 16.5 points per game. Denver averages 209.5 passing yards and 15 points per game.

Denver allows 157.5 rushing yards per game with 3 rushing touchdowns. Los Angeles allows 113 rushing yards per game without allowing a rushing touchdown and averages 142.5 rushing yards per game.

The Rams are 2.5-point favorites over the Broncos.

Below, we’ll give you all the details you need to know about how to watch this game.

How to Watch Rams vs. Broncos

• When: Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 8:20 p.m. ET
• Where: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
• TV: NBC
• Stream: Peacock
• Follow Live: FOX Sports

Players To Watch

Denver’s passing attack has been unable to find much rhythm through two weeks, a problem that starts with its quarterback. Nix has thrown for 419 yards and 2 touchdowns this season, and the Broncos as a team are averaging just 209.5 passing yards and 15.0 points per game.

The Rams present a stiff test on that front. Los Angeles has racked up 10 sacks and is allowing only 16.5 points per game through two contests, so clean pockets and fast decisions will matter more than usual for Nix on Sunday night.

Los Angeles’ passing game looked every bit like a top-tier unit in Week 2, and Adams was at the center of it. He caught 8 passes for 195 yards and both of Matthew Stafford’s first-half touchdowns in the win over the Giants on September 21, part of an offense now averaging 243 passing yards and 4 passing touchdowns through two games.

Denver’s defense has already forced 2 interceptions this season but is also giving up 22.0 points per game, a combination that suggests Adams should see chances to attack down the field again.

Denver’s run defense has been generous through two weeks, allowing 157.5 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, and Williams is coming off a game built to punish exactly that. He carried 12 times for 85 yards and added 2 catches for 12 yards and a touchdown in the September 21 win over the Giants.

That workload lines up with how the Rams have used him all season. Los Angeles is averaging 142.5 rushing yards per game, and Williams remains the back the offense turns to near the goal line.

Dobbins leads the Broncos with 72 rushing yards on 18 carries through two games, and he carries no injury designation into Sunday night after getting banged up against the Jaguars. Denver cleared him to play against the Rams, as it did RJ Harvey, who sat out Week 2 with a hamstring injury.

Los Angeles’ run defense hasn’t allowed a rushing touchdown yet this season and is holding opponents to 113.0 yards per game on the ground, so Denver has already leaned on options beyond Dobbins. Rookie Jonah Coleman, who stepped in during Week 2 and turned 10 carries into 39 yards and his first career touchdown, is ruled out with an ankle injury, leaving Harvey as the back behind Dobbins.

Rams vs. Broncos Odds

Learn more about the Los Angeles Rams vs. Denver Broncos game and check the full schedule on FOX Sports!

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No longer just clipboard holders, high-priced backup quarterbacks are now viewed as essential season insurance policies.

It’s not just about having a backup plan, but it’s the sheer volume of starting quarterbacks going down. Just two weeks into this season, six teams have already been forced to turn to backups due to injury.

Replacing a starting quarterback isn’t just an offensive issue. It completely changes how the defense plays. On “FOX NFL Kickoff,” analysts Charles Woodson and Julian Edelman broke down how a quarterback change forces both sides of the ball to adjust.

Woodson focused on the predatory mindset of a defense facing an unproven passer.

“From a defensive standpoint, you’re licking your chops because you’re thinking to yourself that this guy doesn’t have the time on task that the regular guy does,” Woodson said. “He doesn’t work with the ones. As a defense, you’re throwing the entire kitchen sink at the backup because you think you can get him rattled.”

The Vikings came after Bears backup QB Tyson Bagent in Week 2, sacking him on the final play of the game. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

–>

However, Woodson pointed out that the message on the backup’s team is completely different. He revealed what players and coaches should be telling their QB2.

“You tell him, ‘Hey man, we got your back,’” Woodson said. “‘Don’t turn the ball over, we’ll be fine.’ That’s the situation today with Seattle and Washington. For the past couple of weeks, [the Seahawks] had Drew Lock. He came in and held it down.”

Edelman, on the other hand, pointed to the surge of energy a backup can bring to an offense, focusing on how having the right player under center can motivate an entire locker room. He pointed to Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as a prime example.

“Penix comes back from injury and what happens? The Atlanta Falcons look like a completely different football team,” Edelman said. “I mean we were talking about Atlanta potentially losing to a college football team before Week 3. It looked really bad.”

The return of Penix not only shows the impact of a difference-making quarterback, but Edelman thinks his return is bigger than we think. He went so far as to say the Falcons could now win the NFC South. That’s how much a quarterback means to his team.

“The NFL is so week-to-week,” Edelman said. “It’s so unbelievable. We were writing these guys off for dead and now they could potentially win the [NFC] South because the run game travels and that offensive line travels. It’s going to be really interesting.”

WHAT YOU SHOULD READ NEXT

Everyone thinks it’s easy to be a backup quarterback. But these NFL journeymen spill the secrets about performing a very difficult job.

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