The best midseason NFL bets for MVP, top rookie, and most improved
With Week 8 on tap and the NFL season nearing its halfway point, here are the best prop bets still on the board - complete with a favorite, underdog, and long shot for each category.
Most Valuable Player
Top favorite: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (+150)
Mahomes has all kinds of angles working for him. He's a public darling who burst onto the scene quicker than expected, and is leading a 6-1 Chiefs team that was projected to win roughly 8.5 games. From a stats perspective, Mahomes ranks first in the NFL with 22 touchdown passes while engineering the league's top scoring offense.
Top underdog: Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams (+1800)
It'll be extremely tough to keep Goff's name out of MVP talks should the Rams continue scoring - and winning - at such a torrid pace. The third-year quarterback has effortlessly led the NFL's only undefeated team and the No. 3 scoring offense while compiling the fourth-most passing yards in the league. If Todd Gurley was playing for any other team, Goff might be the front-runner.
Top long shot: Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (+3300)
Scoring is up, quarterbacks are trendy, and Ryan's currently pacing the NFL in passing yards with 2,335. The Falcons are throwing even more than usual to make up for their defense, so Ryan should consistently put up big numbers down the stretch. If Atlanta can climb out of its 3-4 funk, this might be the best value pick in the MVP category.
Super Bowl winner
Top favorite: New England Patriots (+600)
The 2018 Patriots aren't as talented as their teams of the past. Still, this franchise loves to stay out of the spotlight for the early parts of the season, only to surge through November and December and into the playoffs.
The defense will likely make or break this team, but Tom Brady and the offense have found a rhythm. Meanwhile, Bill Belichick is Bill Belichick, and you can almost certainly mark the Pats down for a trip to the AFC Championship Game, at worst.
Top underdog: Philadelphia Eagles (+2500)
This one's strictly based on getting Philadelphia at arguably its best price of the season. The NFC East is still very much up for grabs, and I expect the 3-4 Eagles to come out on top, as they'll likely be favored in at least six of their remaining nine games. This a buy-low opportunity on the defending champs, and speaking of buying low ...
Top long shot: Jacksonville Jaguars (+3300)
If you were brave enough to wait one more week and hope Jacksonville would suffer its third straight loss, good on you. The reeling Jaguars have been outscored 90-28 over those three games and could get an even better price with a loss to the Eagles in England this weekend. Even so, the AFC South is less than daunting, the Jaguars' defense can't possibly play worse, and who knows - maybe the team makes a deal or two, and perhaps Blake Bortles stops doing (very bad) Blake Bortles things.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Top favorite: Saquon Barkley, New York Giants (-110)
Barkley - not Odell Beckham Jr. - has been the bright spot for the Giants' offense in 2018. Even with the unit putting up stinkers on a weekly basis, the No. 2 overall pick keeps getting rave reviews while creating big plays on the ground and through the air. With over 900 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns already, it's easy to see why Barkley's the favorite, especially given the New York market.
Top underdog: Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons (+2000)
Like Ryan in the MVP category, Ridley should be a strong Rookie of the Year candidate because the numbers should be there.
The Falcons wide receiver has become a secondary target in the passing game behind Julio Jones. And while the big games aren't happening every week, Ridley's steadily piling up stats, which should continue as Atlanta's defense forces the team into shootouts.
Top long shot: Kerryon Johnson, Detroit Lions (+8000)
Johnson should be given consideration simply because he's the first Lions running back in the last four centuries to top the 100-yard mark in a single game ... or so it seems.
The rookie out of Auburn has helped Detroit shift to a more two-dimensional offense. And Johnson's usage is trending up, as he's quietly averaging 6.5 yards per carry. If Detroit somehow makes the playoffs, Johnson figures to gain a little more exposure. At this price, he's the best value pick in the category.
(All prop bets were pulled from BetOnline and BetDSI. Always shop around for the best prices.)
Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.