Tag: 2020 MVP

NBA awards ballots: Unusual votes involving the Houston Rockets

James Harden finishing on the All-NBA First Team was a consensus view among voters. Harden on the All-Defensive First Team? Not as much.

In the NBA’s awards voting for the 2019-20 regular season, some choices had a relatively clear consensus view. For example, out of the 100 global media members who formed the league’s panel, 89 voted Houston Rockets superstar James Harden to the All-NBA First Team.

Only one out of 100, however, had Harden on the All-Defensive First Team. (The names and affiliations of the 100 voters are available here.)

With all awards handed out, the NBA on Saturday released the specific ballots from each voter. Here’s a look at some unusual votes — i.e. those that were minority viewpoints — involving the Houston Rockets.

Some of these are better than the consensus, like Harden’s All-Defensive First Team vote. Others, however, are worse than the consensus — such as the 16 voters that didn’t have Harden in the top five of MVP voting.

James Harden MVP votes (finished third):

Second place: Chris Hine, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Fourth place: Kevin Arnovitz, ESPN; Ric Bucher, Bleacher Report; Nick Kosmider, The Athletic; Greg Logan, Newsday; Dave Pasch, ESPN; Shaun Powell, NBA.com; Jason Quick, The Athletic; Remi Reverchon, BeIN Sport (France); Sekou Smith, NBA.com; Joe Vardon, The Athletic

Fifth place: Antoine Bancharel, Canal + Afrique; Marc Berman, New York Post; Chris Broussard, Fox Sports; Joe Cowley, Chicago Sun-Times; Jared Greenberg, Turner; Zach Harper, The Athletic; Erik Horne; The Athletic; Mark Jones, ESPN; Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic; Doug Smith, The Toronto Star;

Not in top five: Greg Anthony, Turner; Steve Aschburner, NBA.com; Tim Bontemps, ESPN; Shams Charania, The Athletic/Stadium; Davide Chinellato, La Gazzetta dello Sport; Antoni Daimiel, Movistar+; Frank Isola, Sirius Radio; Coral Lu, ESPN-Tencent; Brian Mahoney, Associated Press; Keith Pompey, Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News; Bill Simmons, The Ringer; Seerat Sohi, Yahoo! Sports; Justin Termine, Sirius Radio; Brian Windhorst, ESPN; Royce Young, ESPN

James Harden All-NBA votes:

First Team: 89 voters

Second Team (9): Shams Charania, The Athletic; Antoni Daimiel, Movistar+; Frank Isola, Sirius Radio; Sekou Smith, NBA.com; Amin Elhassan, ESPN; Steve Aschburner, NBA.com; Justin Termine, Sirius Radio; Brian Windhorst, ESPN; Tim Bontemps, ESPN

Third Team (2): Davide Chinellato, La Gazzetta dello Sport; Seerat Sohi, Yahoo! Sports

Here’s who voted for James Harden and Russell Westbrook to the All-Defensive Team (each had one vote out of 100):

Harden All-Defensive First Team: Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic;
Westbrook All-Defensive Second Team: Greg Logan, Newsday

P.J. Tucker, who narrowly missed out on the All-Defensive Second Team, had 29 out of 100 media members vote for him. Here’s who they are:

All-Defensive Second Team: Sam Amick, The Athletic; Steve Aschburner, NBA.com; Howard Beck, Bleacher Report; Davide Chinellato, La Gazzetta dello Sport; Will Guillory, The Athletic; Kevin Harlan, Turner; Zach Harper, The Athletic; Kurt Helin, NBCsports.com; Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe; Erik Horne, The Athletic; Cassidy Hubbarth, ESPN; Kelly Iko, The Athletic; Mark Jones, ESPN; Andy Larsen, Salt Lake Tribune; Kristen Ledlow, Turner; Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle; Coral Lu, ESPN-Tencent; Jackie MacMullan, ESPN; Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News; Mark Medina, USA Today; Yoko Miyaji, Sports Graphic Number; Rachel Nichols, ESPN; Jason Quick, The Athletic; Steve Smith, Turner; Casey Stern, Turner; Justin Termine, Sirius Radio; Gary Washburn, Boston Globe; Brian Windhorst, ESPN; Matt Winer, Turner

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Though Russell Westbrook made the All-NBA Third Team at guard, ballots were largely split, with 62 out of 100 voters not including him on any All-NBA team. Among the 38 who did, 29 had him on the Third Team, while nine placed him on the Second Team. Here are his voters:

All-NBA Second Team (9): Davide Chinellato, La Gazzetta dello Sport; Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe; Mark Jackson, ESPN; Nick Kosmider, The Athletic; Greg Logan, Newsday; Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News; Keith Pompey, Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News; Tim Reynolds, Associated Press; Joe Vardon, The Athletic

All-NBA Third Team (29): Matt Winer, Turner; Michael Wilbon, ESPN; Gary Washburn, Boston Globe; Matt Velazquez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News; Steve Smith, Turner; Stephen A. Smith, ESPN; Marv Albert, Turner; Sam Amick, The Athletic; Greg Anthony, Turner; Renjun Bao, Tencent; Mike Breen, ESPN; Chris Broussard, Fox Sports; Joe Cowley, Chicago Sun-Times; Will Guillory, The Athletic; Kevin Harlan, Turner; Zach Harper, The Athletic; Chris Haynes, Yahoo! Sports; Chris Hine, Minneapolis Star Tribune; Erik Horne, The Athletic; Kelly Iko, The Athletic; Ernie Johnson, Turner; Brian Mahoney, Associated Press; Dave McMenamin, ESPN; Yoko Miyaji, Sports Graphic Number; Rachel Nichols, ESPN; Jason Quick, The Athletic; Ramona Shelburne, ESPN; Remi Reverchon, BeIN Sport (France)

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No other Houston Rockets player or coach received votes. All votes were cast prior to the league’s late July restart of the 2019-20 regular season, as a means of being fair to the eight NBA teams who were not invited.

For the Rockets, this included only the 64-game portion of the schedule from the season’s launch in October 2019 until its March 11 suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rockets were 40-24 and the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference at the time of the awards voting.

The complete ballots for all voters can be accessed here.

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As expected, James Harden places third in NBA’s 2019-20 MVP voting

Harden came in a distant third behind Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers.

As expected, Houston Rockets superstar James Harden finished a distant third in the NBA’s MVP voting for the 2019-20 regular season. Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo won the award for a second consecutive year, while LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers came in second place.

The final results from the 100-person panel of global media members covering the league largely mirrored those of earlier straw polls.

Harden finished with 367 voting “points,” which easily outplaced fourth-place finisher Luka Doncic (200 votes) but was far short of LeBron James (753 points) for second place. In all, Harden had one second-place vote, 64 third-place votes, and 10 each for fourth place and fifth place. Out of the 100 voters, 15 did not have Harden among the top five.

For the season, Harden averaged 34.3 points, 7.5 assists, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game, and he joined Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson as the only players to ever lead the NBA in points and steals in the same season. He shot 44.4% from the field and 35.5% on 3-pointers.

With that scoring average, Harden became just the fourth player since the NBA/ABA merger in 1976 to win a scoring title in three straight years, joining Kevin Durant, Michael Jordan, and George Gervin.

Harden also won the scoring title in the 2018-19 season, when he led the NBA with a 36.1 points per game average, and in the 2017-18 season (30.4 points). Harden is now just the third player in league history to average more than 34 points per game in multiple seasons, joining a pair of Basketball Hall of Famers in Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain.

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Perhaps most notably, Harden’s historic numbers in the 2019-20 season again contributed to on-court success for his team. Now 31 years old, “The Beard” led the Rockets (44-28) to a top-four record in the Western Conference for a fourth straight season and the sixth time in seven years. With Harden as its star, Houston has now made the NBA playoffs in eight straight seasons, which is the league’s longest active streak.

Harden has earned Western Conference All-Star honors in all eight of his seasons with the Rockets, and he’s finished in the top three of the league’s MVP voting on five separate occasions during those eight years (2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020). He won the award in 2018.

Harden is the only NBA player to have finished in the top three of MVP voting in each of the last four seasons, and he’s also the lone player to make the All-NBA First Team in every year of that run.

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Bet on these MLB players to win the 2020 AL MVP award

Making our picks and best bets to win the AL MVP award in the shortened 2020 MLB season.

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All 15 teams in the American League will begin the 60-game 2020 MLB season in World Series contention. Players will have less time than ever to make a noticeable impact on their team’s postseason chances. Below, we look at a player from each tier of the betting odds at BetMGM and make out best picks to win the 2020 AL MVP award.

2020 AL MVP best bets: Favorite

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, July 10 at 2:10 p.m. ET.

Los Angeles Angels 3B Anthony Rendon (+1600)

Angels OF Mike Trout is the odds-on favorite to defend his 2019 AL MVP crown at +130, but is still uncertain of his playing status for the full season with his wife expecting to give birth later this summer. With the risk of him not even being available for a full 60 games, there’s no sense in eating this much chalk on an award race that’s wide open this season.

Rendon has the next best odds of any Angels player and is the fifth favorite overall. The free-agent signee and reigning World Series champion with the Washington Nationals is a plus defender at the hot corner. He slashed .319/.412/.598 with 34 home runs and led the majors with 126 RBIs in a career-best 2019 season. Should Trout miss any amount of time and the Angels remain in playoff contention, Rendon should be justly rewarded in his first season in the AL.

Baseball season is finally here! Get some action on the 2020 season with an MLB futures bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!

2020 AL MVP best bets: Contender

Chicago White Sox C Yasmani Grandal (+6000)

3B Yoan Moncada (+4500) is the top contender from a White Sox team being widely picked as a darkhorse World Series contender, but he was there last year and can be overshadowed by 2020’s marquee additions should the team reach new heights in 2020.

Grandal signed as a free agent this offseason after hitting .246/.380/.468 with 28 home runs for the Milwaukee Brewers last season. He’s also one of the best defensive catchers in baseball and could be largely credited with helping to get the best out of a young and largely inexperienced starting rotation.

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2020 AL MVP best bets: Long shot

Boston Red Sox OF Alex Verdugo (+17500)

As noted above, the AL MVP race is up for the taking this year. As such, it only makes sense to sprinkle at least a small wager on one of 10 players with the longest odds on the board. Verdugo slashed .294/.342/.475 and hit 12 homers with four stolen bases across 377 plate appearances with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season.

Verdugo will be under pressure in Boston this year as the replacement for former-MVP OF Mookie Betts in the trade with the Dodgers. A similar line and helping to keep the Red Sox in contention with the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays for the AL East title will get him the recognition he needs on one of baseball’s most popular teams.

Want action on any 2020 MLB futures? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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2020 NFL MVP Odds: Is Jaguars RB Leonard Fournette worth a bet?

Analyzing the betting odds to be named the NFL’s 2020 MVP, with a look at whether Leonard Fournette is worthy of a bet this season.

Do you think Jacksonville Jaguars RB Leonard Fournette has what it takes to win the 2020 NFL MVP? Let’s examine his chances, the BetMGM NFL futures odds around it happening and whether or not Fournette is worth a bet.

Recent NFL MVP winners

Running backs used to frequently be MVP candidates, however, they have slipped from consideration in the modern pass-happy NFL. The last seven MVPs and 12 of the last 13 have been quarterbacks. Only four running backs have been named MVP since 2000.

Adrian Peterson was the last running back to do it in 2012. He threatened the NFL single-season rushing record coming off a torn ACL and finished with 2,097 rushing yards, leading the Minnesota Vikings to the playoffs with Christian Ponder at quarterback.

Before that, Shaun Alexander and LaDainian Tomlinson won it in consecutive years in 2005 and 2006 when they both set NFL records for touchdowns in a season. Marshall Faulk was the other in 2000 when he rushed for 1,359 yards and set the single-season record for touchdowns that year with 26.

For a running back to win MVP, it has taken a special season.

Leonard Fournette’s 2020 NFL MVP odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday, April 19 at 11:00 p.m. ET.

Fournette is a long shot. Among the 60 players with odds, he and seven other players are listed at +15000. The other players are Los Angeles Chargers DE Joey Bosa, Miami Dolphins QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, Chicago Bears QB Nick Foles, Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins, Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew (Fournette’s teammate), and rookie QBs Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Fournette to be named MVP returns a profit of $1,500.

Looking to place a bet on the 2020 NFL MVP? Place your legal sports wagers online at BetMGM. Bet now!

Leonard Fournette’s stats

Fournette had a career-high 1,152 rushing yards in 2019. It was the second time in his three-year career he rushed he topped 1,000 yards. He scored only three total touchdowns for a bad Jaguars team, and the Jags are not expected to be competitive in 2020.

Is Fournette worth a 2020 NFL MVP bet?

There is nothing in Fournette’s career to suggest he will have the type of season that has been required from a running back to win MVP. His team will not be good in 2020 and he will be productive but not special. The potential payout is huge, but it would just be throwing away money. Fournette IS NOT worth a 2020 NFL MVP bet.

Want action on the 2020 NFL MVP award? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @senorjessroot on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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2020 NFL MVP Odds: Is Nick Chubb worth a bet?

Analyzing the betting odds to be named the NFL’s 2020 MVP, with a look at whether Nick Chubb is worthy of a bet this season.

Do you think Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb has a shot at winning the 2020 NFL MVP?

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson took home the goods as the 2019 NFL MVP, a player Chubb and the Browns play two times every season in the grind of the AFC North Division. Chubb and the Browns failed to live up to lofty preseason odds a year ago, floundering in another sub-.500, non-playoff season after entering with plenty of fanfare after significant offseason additions. Now the Browns find themselves with yet another new coach, another new general manager, etc. …

Let’s examine Chubb’s MVP chances, the BetMGM NFL futures odds around it happening and whether or not Chubb is worth a bet.

Recent NFL MVP winners

Jackson was impressive in rolling to the MVP award in 2019, following Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, the 2018 winner. In fact, quarterbacks have had a monopoly on the award recently, taking the trophy in seven straight seasons, and 12 of the past 13. The good news for Chubb and others at his position, running back was the last position other than quarterback to be named MVP when RB Adrian Peterson, then of the Minnesota Vikings, won in 2012. Running backs also won in consecutive seasons with Shaun Alexander (2005) and LaDainian Tomlinson (2006).

Nick Chubb’s 2020 NFL MVP odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, March 27 at 11:15 p.m. ET.

Chubb (+8000) is tied with Oakland Raiders RB Josh Jacobs for the sixth-best odds on the board among running backs, but that’s still a rather hefty long shot. Add in the fact that RB Kareem Hunt, a former MVP candidate, is also in the Browns backfield, and Chubb should see his touches curtailed somewhat. That won’t help Chubb’s chances to really explode and post 2,000 total scrimmage yards, which seems to be the minimum requirements for MVP consideration.

Looking to place a bet on the 2020 NFL MVP? Place your legal sports wagers online at BetMGM. Bet now!

Nick Chubb’s stats

Chubb completed his second NFL season in 2019 with 1,494 rushing yards (5.0 yards per attempt) and eight rushing scores with 36 grabs for 278 yards and no scores. He did lose three fumbles total after failing to put the ball on the ground in his rookie campaign of 2018. Chubb is very consistent, and he could take another step forward in 2020. But again, Hunt will not be suspended for eight games like last season, and the Browns have a lot of mouths to feed among the skill positions, so a huge jump in production for Chub seems unlikely.

Is Nick Chubb worth a 2020 NFL MVP bet?

Again, Hunt’s presence for a full season of games means Chubb won’t be the workhorse. He could potentially see a bump in average yards per carry, but expect a decrease in overall production as they give him more breathers. Add in the fact a quarterback has won this award seven seasons in a row, and the Browns should pass quite frequently with QB Baker Mayfield, WRs Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, as well as newly acquired TE Austin Hooper, and it’s fair to project Chubb with about 1,500 rushing yards and 300 receiving yards, or close to his 2019 numbers. Is that MVP-worthy? Not even close.

Want action on the 2020 NFL MVP award? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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2020 NFL MVP odds: Is Ben Roethlisberger worth a bet?

Analyzing the betting odds to be named the NFL’s 2020 MVP, with a look at whether Ben Roethlisberger is worthy of a bet this season.

Do you think Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger has what it takes to win the 2020 NFL MVP? Below, we take a look at MVP futures odds for the 2020 NFL season. Let’s examine his chances, the BetMGM NFL futures odds around it happening, and whether or not Big Ben is worth a bet.

Roethlisberger played just two games in the 2019 season after injuring his elbow in Week 2. But he will be rejoining one of the most talented rosters in the NFL. Let’s take a look at some reasons you should or shouldn’t consider betting on Roethlisberger to win his first MVP award in 2020.

Recent NFL MVP winners

2019 – QB Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens)

2018 – QB Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs)

2017 – QB Tom Brady (New England Patriots)

2016 – QB Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons)

2015 – QB Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers)

2014 – QB Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers)

2013 – QB Peyton Manning (Denver Broncos)

Ben Roethlisberger’s 2020 NFL MVP odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, April 17, at 2 p.m. E.T.

Roethlisberger’s current odds to win the 2020 NFL MVP Award sit at +6600. Seventeen quarterbacks have better odds to win the award than Roethlisberger, including Jameis Winston (+5000), who isn’t even on a roster as of this posting.

Roethlisberger has the same odds to win the award as Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen and Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott and he is just ahead of Cam Newton (+8000), who is also searching for a new team.

Looking to place a bet on the 2020 NFL MVP? Place your legal sports wagers online at BetMGM. Bet now!

Ben Roethlisberger’s 2019 stats

Roethlisberger played just six total quarters during the 2019 season, failing to throw a single touchdown. He completed just 56.5% of his passes against the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks before needing surgery on his elbow.

It is worth noting Roethlisberger threw for a league-high 5,129 yards with 34 touchdowns during the 2018 season in which he played a full 16 games.

Is Ben Roethlisberger worth a 2020 NFL MVP bet?

Sitting as a 66-1 underdog to win the award, it’s hard not to see the value in betting on Roethlisberger this season. The Steelers win total is set at 9 on BetMGM, which means many believe Pittsburgh will be right in the playoff hunt in 2020.

If Roethlisberger can come close to matching the stats he posted in 2018, he will certainly get some MVP consideration if the Stee;ers return to the postseason. If the Steelers are even close to being contenders in the AFC this season with Roethlisberger back in the fold, it’s not hard to see that happening, either, especially if he leads his team to an AFC North crown.

Considering the odds, take Roethlisberger to win the MVP award as a fun long shot pick. There is certainly the chance that at 38-years old, he doesn’t have the arm strength to play at an MVP level, but a year off might be good for the veteran quarterback as he will step into a fantastic situation built for him to succeed. Roethlisberger may be the best long-shot bet on the board right now ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Want action on the 2020 NFL MVP award? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship, and there is no influence on news coverage.

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2020 NFL MVP Odds: Is Matthew Stafford worth a bet?

Analyzing the betting odds to be named the NFL’s 2020 MVP, with a look at whether Matthew Stafford is worthy of a bet this season.

Do you think Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford has what it takes to win the 2020 NFL MVP?

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson ran away with the 2019 NFL MVP, as the exciting, young quarterback flashed all season long with his legs and his strong arm. In the past couple of seasons we have seen a bit of a changing of the guard at the quarterback position, as the MVP has landed in the laps of two young, up-and-coming stars after being dominated for years by long-term veterans.

Let’s examine Stafford’s MVP chances, the BetMGM NFL futures odds around it happening and whether or not Stafford is worth a bet.

Recent NFL MVP winners

Stafford will be looking to join the ranks of recent winners Jackson (2019), Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (2018) and QB Tom Brady (2017), then of the New England Patriots. The good news for Stafford is that a quarterback has won the MVP in seven straight seasons, and 12 of the previous 13 years. The bad news is that the award has been trending toward younger, more mobile signal callers in recent seasons.

Matthew Stafford’s 2020 NFL MVP odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated April 16th at 10 a.m. ET.

Stafford (+5000) is a long shot for MVP. There are 15 quarterbacks listed with lesser odds than the Detroit signal caller, and 18 total players with better odds. Mahomes (+325) is the favorite, followed by Jackson (+500), Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson (+500) and New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees (+1400). In the NFC Central, Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (+1600) and Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins (+4000) have lower odds, while Chicago Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky (+8000) is the clear-cut underdog in the division.

Looking to place a bet on the 2020 NFL MVP? Place your legal sports wagers online at BetMGM. Bet now!

Matthew Stafford’s stats

Stafford has 11 NFL seasons under his belt, all in the Motor City, but he was limited to eight games in 2019 due to fractured bones in his back. Stafford had played eight consecutive 16-game seasons before 2019, so it was shocking to see him sidelined since he has been one of the most durable players in the NFL. Stafford was on his way to a potential career season last year, throwing for 2,499 yards and 19 touchdowns with just five interceptions in the eight games before departing, and he was sacked just 18 times. His 106.0 QB Rating was a career high.

Is Matthew Stafford worth a 2020 NFL MVP bet?

Stafford, who is now 32 years old, will be coming off a major injury for the first time in his career. He isn’t mobile at all, and should be even less so after his back ailment. Most of the monumental moves for the Lions in free agency have been on the defensive side of the ball, particularly in the secondary, although OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai bolsters the O-line and gives Stafford more peace of mind.

Still, MVP? He was on his way to career type numbers in 2019, and projected over a 16-game season he would have flirted with 5,000 passing yards and 38 TDs. Can he do it in 2020? He has a stud wideout in WR Kenny Golladay, while RB Kerryon Johnson should be back healthy to make the offense a bit more balanced. After Golladay there is a steep drop in talent at wide receiver. Unless the team makes a splash with another playmaker, there might not be enough skill position talent for Stafford to seriously be considered for MVP.

Want action on the 2020 NFL MVP award? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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2020 NFL MVP Odds: Is Odell Beckham Jr. worth a bet?

Analyzing the betting odds to be named the NFL’s 2020 MVP, with a look at whether Odell Beckham Jr. is worthy of a bet this season.

Do you think Cleveland Browns WR Odell Beckham Jr. has what it takes to win the 2020 NFL MVP? Let’s examine his chances, the BetMGM NFL futures odds around it happening and whether or not Beckham is worth a bet.

Beckham came over to the Browns from the New York Giants in a huge trade last offseason. The expectations went through the roof in Cleveland; however, First Energy Stadium was once again a Factory of Sadness, and Beckham and several other new offensive weapons were unable to jell. Not only did they fall short of lofty expectations, but the Browns were also still unable to produce a winning record.

Recent NFL MVP winners

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson picked up the MVP award in 2019, while last season’s Super Bowl MVP, Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, was the winner in 2018. QB Tom Brady, then of the New England Patriots, claimed the 2017 award.

If Beckham, or any other wideout, was to win the 2020 MVP, it would be historic. Since 1954 we have never had a wide receiver win the award. We have had a fullback, an offensive tackle, a kicker, a linebacker and a defensive tackle win the award at least once, but no wideouts.

Odell Beckham Jr.’s 2020 NFL MVP odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, March 26 at 10:40 a.m. ET.

Beckham (+12500) has extremely long odds as he enters the 2020 season, while Browns QB Baker Mayfield (+4000) is the favorite among all Browns, followed by RB Nick Chubb (+8000).

Wide receiver just isn’t a position which has been seriously considered for MVP, as generally, quarterbacks steal the show. In fact, a quarterback has won in each of the past seven seasons, and 12 of the past 13. Beckham is tied with Green Bay Packers WR Davante Adams, Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill and Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones for the second-best odds among wideouts, with New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas (+10000) priced as the favorite among WRs.

Looking to place a bet on the 2020 NFL MVP? Place your legal sports wagers online at BetMGM. Bet now!

Odell Beckham Jr.’s stats

Beckham certainly didn’t post MVP caliber numbers in 2019, his first as a member of the Browns. While he finished the seasons with 74 receptions, 1,035 yards and four touchdowns, it was rather mediocre by today’s standards.

He posted 161 receiving yards and a touchdown in Week 2 against the New York Jets in his old home stadium, and that was just one of two 100-yard performances on the season. It was the only time he had at least six grabs, 100 or more yards and a score in the same contest.

Is Odell Beckham Jr. worth a 2020 NFL MVP bet?

In a word, no. Betting on a wide receiver to win the MVP award is simply throwing good money away. Beckham is a tremendous downfield talent with speed to burn, but if he and the Cleveland offense improve exponentially in 2020, it’s likely Mayfield would get more attention for the award than Beckham or any other skill position player.

Want action on the 2020 NFL MVP award? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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2020 NFL MVP Odds: Is Michael Thomas worth a bet?

Analyzing the betting odds to be named the NFL’s 2020 MVP, with a look at whether Michael Thomas is worthy of a bet this season.

Do you think New Orleans WR Michael Thomas has what it takes to win the 2020 NFL MVP?

Despite being months away from the NFL season, there are already odds for the 2020 NFL MVP. There are clear favorites and many long shots. Here we look at those MVP futures bets for the coming season and specifically Thomas.

Let’s examine his chances, the BetMGM NFL futures odds around it happening and whether or not Thomas is worth a bet.

Recent NFL MVP winners

The quarterback position dominates the award. A quarterback has won the last seven MVP awards and 12 of the last 13. The last five MVPs have been Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson (2019), Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes (2018), then-New England Patriots’ Tom Brady (2017), Atlanta Falcons’ Matt Ryan (2016) and then-Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton (2015).

These quarterbacks all led their teams to the postseason and almost all led the NFL in some significant passing statistic. Jackson led the league with 36 touchdown passes, while throwing for 3,127 yards and rushing for 1,206 yards. In 2018, Mahomes led the league with 50 passing TDs, while finishing second in passing yards (5,097). in 2017, Brady threw for 32 TDs and an NFL-best 4,577 passing yards.

Meanwhile, a wide receiver has never won the MVP since the Associated Press started handing out the award in 1957.

Michael Thomas’ 2020 NFL MVP odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday, April 14 at 2:30 a.m. ET.

Thomas is a long shot at +10000, but is the favorite among all other receivers. Four wideouts check in at +12500. They are Davante Adams (Green Bay Packers), Odell Beckham Jr. (Cleveland Browns), Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons) and Tyreek Hill (Chiefs).

Looking to place a bet on the 2020 NFL MVP? Place your legal sports wagers online at BetMGM. Bet now!

Michael Thomas’ stats

In 2019, Thomas set an NFL single-season record with 149 receptions. His 1,725 receiving yards led the league and are the seventh-highest total in any season. He was the biggest offensive weapon on a Saints team that went 13-3 in the regular season and won the NFC South Division.

Is Michael Thomas worth a 2020 NFL MVP bet?

Unfortunately, history is against Thomas. He set NFL records last season and was the Offensive Player of the Year. However, even if he were to replicate those numbers in 2020, he probably wouldn’t get a single MVP vote. The votes would go to his quarterback, Drew Brees.

While the +10000 offers a payout of 100 times your investment, betting on Thomas is a bet against history.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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2020 NFL MVP Odds: Is Ezekiel Elliott worth a bet?

Analyzing the betting odds to be named the NFL’s 2020 MVP, with a look at whether Ezekiel Elliott is worthy of a bet this season.

Do you think Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott has what it takes to win the 2020 NFL MVP? Below, we take a look at MVP futures odds for the 2020 NFL season. Let’s examine his chances, the BetMGM NFL futures odds around it happening, and whether or not Elliott is worth a bet.

Elliott had another monster season with the Cowboys in 2019, totaling 1,777 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns. It was his fourth straight season of at least 1,200 total yards, and it was his highest touchdown total since scoring 16 times as a rookie in 2016.

Recent NFL MVP winners

2019 – QB Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens)

2018 – QB Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs)

2017 – QB Tom Brady (New England Patriots)

2016 – QB Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons)

2015 – QB Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers)

2014 – QB Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers)

2013 – QB Peyton Manning (Denver Broncos)

Ezekiel Elliott’s 2020 NFL MVP odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday, April 13, at 4:15 p.m. E.T.

Elliott’s current odds to win the NFL MVP award in 2020 sit at +6600. Derrick Henry (+3300), Saquon Barkley (+3300), Christian McCaffrey (+3330) and Dalvin Cooks (+5000) are the only running backs with better odds than Elliott to win the award this season.

Looking to place a bet on the 2020 NFL MVP? Place your legal sports wagers online at BetMGM. Bet now!

Ezekiel Elliott’s 2019 stats

Elliott played all 16 games for the first time in his NFL career in 2019, but he saw his rushing yards per game drop from 95.6 to 84.8 as the Cowboys evolved into a more pass-happy offense. Elliott still finished the season with 355 touches for 1,777 total yards.

Is Ezekiel Elliott worth a 2020 NFL MVP bet?

While it’s still a safe bet to assume Elliott will have a strong season with the Cowboys, you should AVOID betting on him to be named MVP despite the intriguing odds.

Consider this: when the Cowboys went 13-3 in 2016 with Elliott totaling 1,994 yards and 16 touchdowns, he received just six of the 50 MVP votes. It’s tough to imagine any scenario in which Elliott posts better numbers, and the Cowboys have more team success than they did in 2016. The only real path for Elliott to win this award would be for the Cowboys to win without QB Dak Prescott, and Elliott would need to post historic numbers. It doesn’t feel realistic, especially in a very competitive NFC.

Don’t expect him to be in the MVP conversation this year despite being one of the league’s most consistent running backs. It’s a harsh truth for the modern-day running back. Elliott is an intriguing bet (+2500) to win the Offensive Player of the Year award, which is more likely to recognize a running back than the MVP award.

Want action on the 2020 NFL MVP award? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Marcus_Mosher on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship, and there is no influence on news coverage.

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