The NFL preseason kicks off tonight with the Dallas Cowboys clashing with the Arizona Cardinals. It feels like a long time since Super Bowl 51 ended and the start of the 2017 preseason, but it has finally arrived. With it comes optimism for 32 teams vying for a Super Bowl ring. Only two will be good enough to play in the biggest NFL game of them all, however.
In our last NFL article, we looked at the futures for Super Bowl 52. Now we will look at the futures for NFL Most Valuable Player. Last year’s winner, Matt Ryan, will have a great chance to win it again. But with the Falcons not in the top five of best odds to win the Super Bowl, sportsbooks may believe a repeat isn’t on the cards.
So, who are the favorites to win this year’s NFL MVP?
Tom Brady +550
Tom Brady finished last season as the runner-up to Ryan in the NFL MVP race. In 2016, Brady threw for 28 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Oh, and he led New England to the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history when the Pats came from behind to beat the Falcons. The main reason Brady didn’t finish as last season’s NFL MVP was due to missing four games. If he’d been available, it could have been expected he would have topped Ryan in the MVP race. By the way, USA Today predicts the Pats to go a perfect 16-0 again. Brady is the greatest of all-time, if that happens.
Aaron Rodgers +600
Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are being picked by some to be this year’s NFC Super Bowl representative. The Packers just missed out on the Super Bowl in 2016, and could have what it takes this season. Last year, Rodgers threw 40 touchdowns and just seven interceptions as the Packers finished 10-6. In this year’s USA Today NFL record projections, Green Bay is predicted to win 12 games. If that happens, it may be due to a career year from Mr. Rodgers.
Derek Carr +800
Thirteen NFL seasons went by between Oakland Raiders’ playoff appearances. Prior to last year’s playoff berth, the Raiders hadn’t made the postseason since 2002 when the team played in the Super Bowl. Derek Carr was everything to the black and silver a year ago. With him, the Raiders were unstoppable. Without him, the team struggled. Twenty-eight touchdowns, six interceptions and more than 3,900 yards in passing were tallied by Carr. He is a great pick for NFL MVP, he isn’t at the top of the list, but with a great chance to win it all as a slight underdog. Carr’s bid for the trophy will really depend on how good the AFC West is and if the Raiders can top the division. If they can, it means Carr has played his best season yet.
Ben Roethlisberger +900
Ben Roethlisberger has done just about everything in the NFL, except win the NFL MVP award. The Ohio native has two Super Bowl rings and has passed for nearly 50,000 yards in his career. Yet, no MVP trophy has come his way. The Steelers topped the AFC Central with 11 wins in 2016, and this year, the team is projected to tally 12 wins. If the Steelers are to win 12 games and win another central title, Roethlisberger needs a solid season under center.
The NFL season kicks off on September 7th. If you haven’t made your futures bets on Super Bowl winner and NFL MVP, then what are you waiting for?
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