Alex Smith NFL Comeback Player of the Year odds: Washington quarterback to make first start in 2 years Week 10 at Lions

On Nov. 18, 2018, Washington quarterback Alex Smith suffered one of the most gruesome injuries in sports history at FedEx Field against the Houston Texans. Smith's leg was so badly mangled that he nearly had to have it amputated and could have died because of infection. Nearly two years to the day this Sunday in Detroit, Smith will make his first NFL start since. The Lions are currently 3.5-point favorites on the NFL odds, and the fact Smith is even starting might clinch him the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award – he's currently the favorite via SportsLine oddsmakers.

Smith will get the call because Washington starting QB Kyle Allen suffered his own type of gruesome injury in the first quarter of Sunday's 23-20 home loss to the New York Giants. Allen suffered a dislocated ankle and small fracture and will have surgery this week. He'll most likely miss the rest of the season. Allen had taken over for benched second-year QB Dwayne Haskins in Week 5.

"Obviously a ton of emotions going on for me right then. … Then they bring out the aircast and the cart. I know that routine well," Smith said to The Athletic of Allen's injury.

In relief of Allen on Sunday, Smith completed 24 of 32 for 325 yards with a touchdown and three picks – two of those interceptions were late in the game and ended any Washington comeback chances.

"It was unfortunate with the interceptions," Coach Ron Rivera said of Smith's performance. "He tried to make things happen and force things, and unfortunately bad things happened each time."

It's somewhat interesting that the 36-year-old Smith will start over Haskins, the 2019 No. 15 overall pick. It sure seems like Rivera has no use for Haskins (Rivera had no role in drafting him) and it's likely he is traded this offseason for pennies on the dollar. Rivera said several weeks ago that Smith earned his roster spot and backup role.

Rivera said having Smith start can benefit Haskins too: "I think Dwayne is going to truly see how to prepare as a starter. ... And who knows, he may get his opportunity again."

No Washington player has won the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year Award, but Smith is the -125 betting favorite. Maybe the only way he doesn't win it is if Ben Roethlisberger leads Pittsburgh to a 16-0 regular season.

Even though Washington is 2-6, it is still second in the NFC East and only a game behind first-place Philadelphia (3-4-1) in the win column. The Eagles are -320 division favorites at William Hill and Washington +600.

Via SportsLine oddsmakers: NFL Comeback Player of the Year

• Alex Smith -125
• Ben Roethlisberger +200
• Rob Gronkowski +1000
• Myles Garrett +1500
• Cam Newton +1700
• Aldon Smith +2000

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