NFL Futures Betting: Best bets for NFL MVP
03 Sep
NFL
Robbie Keane
Zach Brunner's NFL betting picks for the 2021 Most Valuable Player award include three quarterbacks poised to win their division and put up big numbers.

With the season set to kick off in just a matter of days, it’s important to lock in any NFL futures bets you have soon! One of the most notable futures picks is betting on the NFL MVP.

This award has been dominated by the quarterback position, with passers winning it in 13 of the past 14 seasons. Over the past 10 seasons, nine quarterbacks have taken home the NFL MVP, with all nine also winning their divisions. The lone exception was Adrian Peterson, running back for the second-placed team in the NFC North in 2012 — the Minnesota Vikings. 

So, it seems wise to put money down on quarterbacks that are likely to lead their team to a division title. With that being said, here are three of the best NFL betting picks to win the league MVP award.

Patrick Mahomes (QB, Kansas City Chiefs) 9/2

Patrick Mahomes was named NFL MVP in 2018 and is the favorite to take home the award again this season. It’s easy to see why.

After being embarrassed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl, Mahomes and the Chiefs have found a new motivation.

By many, they were the presumed Super Bowl champions before even playing a game last season. In 15 games, Mahomes coasted to a 14-1 record, passing for 4,740 yards, 38 touchdowns and only six interceptions.

With a new sense of motivation, this is one scary Chiefs team and Mahomes is one dangerous quarterback. He passed for 50 touchdowns in his previous NFL MVP season. With 17 games on the schedule, he may set new records.

Josh Allen (QB, Buffalo Bills) 17/2

We have seen Josh Allen improve greatly every single season in the NFL. His passing numbers spiked last season, finishing the year with 4,544 yards, 37 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and a 69.2 per cent completion rate.

The addition of Stefon Diggs to the receiving corps was a massive help, but changes to Allen’s mechanics were even more influential. Adding another 421 yards and eight touchdowns with his legs, Allen finished the year second in the NFL MVP voting.

The Buffalo Bills’ receiving corps looks even better this season, and they are projected to win the AFC East yet again.

Allen was given a massive contract for his hard work and continuously improving play, so we will see if he can maintain this upward trajectory. If he can, an NFL MVP and Super Bowl berth would be the next goals on the list. 

Dak Prescott (QB, Dallas Cowboys) 16/1

The NFL MVP is a media-given award. We can’t ignore the media bias for the Dallas Cowboys, as they are always hyped up in their weak division every preseason. Dak Prescott winning the league MVP is also a great story, given his season-ending injury less than a year ago. 

We also shouldn’t ignore the talent on the field. Prior to his injury, Prescott threw for 1,856 yards and nine touchdowns in less than five full games. The Cowboys’ defense was and still is their biggest weakness, which allows Prescott to be aggressive offensively. He is also surrounded by one of the most talented group of skill position players in the league.

If we’re picking a longshot, Prescott makes sense, given the Cowboys’ odds to win their division and the talent surrounding him.