2014 NFL futures betting: MVP odds and predictions
Of the 58 men to be named NFL MVP, 55 have played either quarterback or running back (37 QBs, 18 RBs).
With a split that significant, it's difficult for bettors to justify putting money down on players from other positions, and oddsmakers know it. As such, the list of the top 25 betting favorites to win the award is dominated by those two positions, as seen in the odds comparison below.
| MVP odds | Bovada | SIA | William Hill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peyton Manning | +300 | +353 | +275 |
| Aaron Rodgers | +600 | +800 | +500 |
| Drew Brees | +800 | +800 | +800 |
| Tom Brady | +900 | +1000 | +800 |
| Andrew Luck | +1200 | +1500 | +1400 |
| Colin Kaepernick | +2000 | +1200 | +5000 |
| Jay Cutler | +2000 | +1900 | +3300 |
| Russell Wilson | +2000 | +1200 | +2500 |
| Adrian Peterson | +2500 | +1500 | +3300 |
| Calvin Johnson | +2500 | +2000 | +3300 |
| Nick Foles | +2500 | +2000 | +5000 |
| Robert Griffin III | +2500 | +2000 | +3300 |
| LeSean McCoy | +2800 | +2000 | +3300 |
| Matthew Stafford | +2800 | +2000 | +5000 |
| Cam Newton | +3300 | +2000 | +5000 |
| Matt Ryan | +3300 | +2000 | +4000 |
| Philip Rivers | +4000 | +800 (Field) | +8000 |
| Tony Romo | +4000 | +2500 | +6600 |
| Ben Roethlisberger | +5000 | +1500 | +5000 |
| Jamaal Charles | +5000 | +4600 | +6600 |
| Marshawn Lynch | +5000 | +2000 | +5000 |
| Eli Manning | +6600 | +3000 | +8000 |
| Jimmy Graham | +6600 | +5100 | +6600 |
| Matt Forte | +6600 | +3000 | +8000 |
| Dez Bryant | +7500 | +5100 | +6600 |
| Johnny Manziel | n/a | n/a | +15000 |
Odds courtesy Bovada, Sports Interaction, William Hill.
With so much information to take it in, it can be difficult for bettors to decide where to put their money. Here are three players worthy of a closer look.
Aaron Rodgers +800, SIA
As good as he's been during his time in the league, Rodgers hasn't quite had that one monster season that all elite quarterbacks can hang their hat on.
Entering his prime at the age of 30, it could be Rodgers's time. He will also be extra-motivated after missing a big chunk of the 2013 campaign due to injury.
Many will point to a receiving corps that lost James Jones and Jermichael Finley in the offseason, but their hands of stone won't be missed with Rodgers now slinging the ball to a young group of talented pass catchers.
Andrew Luck, +1500, SIA
Luck has guided the Colts to consecutive 11-5 seasons in his first two years in the league, but hasn't put up the kind of gaudy stats needed to be in the discussion for the MVP award.
That could all change this upcoming season. Luck is already very familiar with Pep Hamilton's offensive system from their days together at Stanford, and the time appears to be right for the shackles to finally come off.
Luck will be throwing to his best receiving corps yet with Reggie Wayne and Dwayne Allen returning from injury, T.Y. Hilton emerging, and Hakeem Nicks playing with something to prove.
LeSean McCoy +3300, William Hill
Shady excelled in his first year in new head coach Chip Kelly's high-octane spread offense, racking up a league-best 1,607 yards on the ground.
McCoy returns to the field with an extra year of familiarity within the system, and his sights set on hitting the 2,000-yard rushing mark. Running behind one of the league's top offensive lines, that goal may be within reach.
More 2014 NFL futures betting articles:
AFC East | AFC North
AFC South | AFC West
NFC East | NFC North
NFC South | NFC West
Super Bowl odds | Yardage leaders odds
MVP odds | Win total odds
Super Bowl odds II