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Ryan Stetson
NFL MVP Odds: Bet Andrew Luck to Win First MVP
If you take the NFL odds board as bond, this season’s MVP is a three-horse race between Andrew Luck, Aaron Rodgers, and Peyton Manning. Who has the edge?
NFL MVP Odds
In the last eight years, a quarterback has won the NFL MVP award seven times. Peyton Manning took home the hardware three times over that span and has five total MVPs while Aaron Rodgers has two MVPs on his mantle. This year, Andrew Luck is in the mix to win his first MVP and if you look at the early odds, he has as good a chance as anybody.
Aaron Rodgers won’t have his favourite receiver this season after Jordy Nelson wrecked his knee in preseason, but Green Bay’s gunslinger still has a lot of weapons. Randall Cobb should slide over to the No. 1 WR role easily enough and this might be the opportunity Davante Adams needs to show what he can do. As far as Rodgers goes, he’s smart enough to lean on his running game when needed and throws the ball as well as anyone in the business. Outside of talent alone, the big upside with a Rodgers bet is he’s playing on a team which just happens to be a -276 favourite to win the NFC North. The Packers look poised for another great season and Rodgers should have plenty of help.
Andrew Luck put the NFL on notice last year. In his third season as the Indianapolis Colts’ starting quarterback, he threw for 40 touchdowns and 4,700 yards while adding another 273 yards and three scores on the ground. And that was with a non-existent running game and questionable receiving depth. This year is different as veterans Andre Johnson and Frank Gore joining an attack that already produced the third-most points in the AFC last season. The Colts look a lot better on paper this year and it’s easy to forget Andrew Luck is just 25 years old as he begins his fourth year in the league. He’s the reason this team is in win-now mode, because he’s just that good already.
Peyton Manning may be 39 years old and coming off a tough end to last season, but he isn’t ready to hang them up just yet. Last year he threw for more than 4700 yards with another ho-hum 39 touchdown passes. While he did struggle a bit down the stretch, he’s reportedly throwing the ball better now in preseason than last year and has some serious artillery in this offence even after tight end Julius Thomas skipped town for Jacksonville. That said, Peyton will be working in Gary Kubiak’s new West Coast offense and behind a very inexperienced offensive line. At some point, Manning will start to slow down and considering the new system and line, this may be that year. Then again, Manning has made a career of proving everyone wrong and was just strong-armed into taking a big pay cut. Bet on another very good season from No. 18, but not a sixth MVP season.
Best MVP Bet
Considering the current odds, Andrew Luck is your best bet at +500.
Rodgers could put up some huge numbers but the Packers may evolve into more of a running team with Eddie Lacy this season, which may hurt the QB’s numbers. Peyton may throw another 35 TDs again and take the Broncos to the playoffs again, but the AFC West might be a lot tougher this year too. There aren’t many “buts” with Andrew Luck. He’s just getting better and has a much stronger supporting cast this season. At +500, he’s the best value bet for your buck.
