NFL Awards Leaders
With Thanksgiving week upon us, the NFL season has officially moved into its top gear. Every win means more, as the playoff pictures take shape. And every touchdown means more, as the continually shifting odds tell us who are the current favorites to take home end-of-season hardware.
NFL MVP
Patrick Mahomes is now paying negative numbers (-160) as the prohibitive favorite to win his second MVP award. His comeback win in the final two minutes on Sunday against the Chargers put an emphatic statement on his MVP campaign. Cold, Hard Football Facts ranks the Chiefs No. 1 in the NFL in both Real Quarterback Rating and Offensive Passer Rating.
Tua Tagovailoa has become a surprise second betting favorite at +550, and has nudged his way ahead of Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts.
Offensive Player of the Year
Since MVP has become an unofficial quarterback award, OPOY is for all of the other great offensive players this season. No one right now has been better than Tyreek Hill, paying +250. If he can resume his pace of 2,000 yards receiving, and actually achieve it, it’s impossible to see him not winning the award.
Justin Jefferson has been fantastic, and his one-handed grab in Buffalo is likely to survive the season as the best catch of 2022. He is currently paying +350 to win Offensive Player of the Year.
Defensive Player of the Year
Among all of the postseason awards, there is no bigger favorite than Micah Parsons of the Cowboys. He has 10.0 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, he has been the engine that makes the entire Cowboys defense go, and he is paying -400 to win DPOY.
According to the odds (+600), Matthew Judon is a distant second. But he leads the NFL with 13.0 sacks and is a huge reason that the Patriots find themselves in position to make the playoffs. In the eyes of voters, he might not be that far behind Parsons.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
A close race for most of the season, Seattle’s Kenneth Walker III has emerged as the favorite at -140. Cold, Hard Football Facts ranks the Seahawks 15th in Offensive Rusher Rating almost exclusively because of Walker’s season.
Texans running back Dameon Pierce is next at +350, and Saints wide receiver Chris Olave is third and paying +500.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
This has long been considered the Sauce Gardner award, with the Jets cornerback having a terrific rookie season. He’s still the heavy favorite at -165, but Seattle rookie corner Tariq Woolen isn’t going away. He leads all NFL rookies with five interceptions, as compared to just two for Gardner, who is tied for second place in the league.
A bet on Woolen is paying +350, and Lions EDGE Aidan Hutchinson is paying +650. He also has two interceptions.
