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2022 Super Bowl odds, picks and predictions: Can KC Chiefs go for 2-for-3?

Analyzing the odds for the 2022 Super Bowl winner, with NFL futures picks, predictions and best bets.

The 2021 NFL season begins Thursday, Sept. 9, and the quest for the 2022 Super Bowl begins. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers begin their title defense, while the Kansas City Chiefs seek to make it back to the big game for the third straight year. Below, we look at the odds to win the 2022 Super Bowl, with NFL picks, predictions and best bets.

The Cleveland Browns loaded up on defense in the offseason and the Los Angeles Rams upgraded at quarterback while returning the league’s No. 1 defense from 2020.

So who are the best bets for this season’s championship?

2022 Super Bowl picks

Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday, Aug. 31.

Kansas City Chiefs (+450)

Bet $100 to win $450

The Chiefs have been to the Super Bowl two years in a row and have the NFL’s best quarterback in Patrick Mahomes. He throws to TE Travis Kelce and WR Tyreek Hill, while second-year RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire is expected to have a greater role in 2021.

The Chiefs also remade their offensive line after Mahomes struggled to find time to throw in their Super Bowl loss to the Buccaneers.

Also see: Week 1 odds and lines

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+600)

Bet $100 to win $600

They are the defending champions and have returned their entire starting lineup. Of course, repeat Super Bowl champions are rare, which makes this pick a bit risky.

The last team to repeat was the New England Patriots in 2004-2005. The quarterback then was Tom Brady, who is the Bucs’ quarterback now. So if anyone can do it, Brady can.

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Los Angeles Rams (+1200)

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The Rams had the No. 1 defense a year ago and just upgraded at quarterback by trading Jared Goff for Matthew Stafford. The Rams went to a Super Bowl with Goff and with an upgrade at quarterback, the offense should be great.

The defense, if it continues at its current level, will make the Rams very hard to beat.

Also see: Super Bowl LVI odds for all 32 teams

Cleveland Browns (+1300)

Bet $100 to win $1,300

Cleveland won 11 regular-season games and a playoff contest last season. They loaded up on defense in the offseason and will get WR Odell Beckham Jr. back for the 2021 campaign, making the offense even better.

There is no real weakness on this team, which feels weird to say about the historically inept Browns.

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Arizona Cardinals (+4000)

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This is a pick solely if you want to take a chance on a long shot. Of all the long shots, the Cardinals are appealing, as they just missed the playoffs last season and have a budding star at quarterback in Kyler Murray.

If he can take a step forward like Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen did last year, the Cardinals will be incredibly exciting. They are better at almost every position, they have weapons on offense and a healthier, improved defense on paper. Of all the long shots, the Cardinals are the best pick to win Super Bowl 56.

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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. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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2021 NFL futures: Team to win the most games with odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing the odds of which NFL team will win the most games in 2021, with picks, predictions and best bets.

There are a bunch of teams in the NFL right now that have a legitimate chance to win the Super Bowl. However, the team that wins the most games in the regular season isn’t always the last one standing in February. Below, we look at the odds of which team will win the most games during the 2021 season, with NFL picks, predictions and best bets.

The favorites to win the most games this season are fairly obvious. It’s the same teams most people expect to contend for a championship, with a fairly even split between the AFC and NFC. The Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are atop the heap after playing in Super Bowl LV, while the Buffalo Bills continue to garner respect as a legitimate threat in the AFC.

The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers are tied for the same odds to lead the league in wins this season, with the Seattle Seahawks not far behind – a testament to the competitiveness in the NFC West. But who are the best bets when weighing which team could finish with the most wins?

Also see: Which team will win the fewest games in 2021?

Picks to win the most games in 2021

Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Aug. 26.

Kansas City Chiefs (+450)

The Chiefs led the league with a 14-2 record last season, one game better than the Bills and Green Bay Packers. So it’s no surprise they’re the favorites to once again finish with the most wins.

Considering they’ve won at least 10 games in seven of their eight years under head coach Andy Reid and in each of the last six seasons, they’re a good bet to win the most games in 2021. With QB Patrick Mahomes, WR Tyreek Hill, TE Travis Kelce and an underrated defense led by FS Tyrann Mathieu, the Chiefs look like the best team in the league once again.

The only thing working against them is that the AFC West will be tougher now that the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders look like formidable foes.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+600)

The defending Super Bowl champs returned every starter on offense and defense. QB Tom Brady also continues to play at a high level, so it’s no wonder the Bucs seem ready to repeat. They won 11 games last season before going on a run in the playoffs, really finding their groove in Week 14 when their eight-game winning streak began.

After an up-and-down first 12 games of the season, the Buccaneers found a rhythm when it mattered most.

It’s scary to think about what they could do if they get off to a hot start in 2021. They have winnable games against the Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints in the first half, too, before facing the New York Giants, New York Jets and Carolina Panthers in the second half.

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Green Bay Packers (+1000)

Everything clicked for the Packers on offense last season. QB Aaron Rodgers was the NFL MVP, RB Aaron Jones broke out in a big way and WR Davante Adams was an All-Pro. The defense was decent, too, ranking ninth in yards allowed. The result was a 13-3 finish.

They have most of the band back together this season and play in a fairly soft division where the Minnesota Vikings, Bears and Detroit Lions are all expected to fight for a wild-card spot at best. The Packers are a great value to lead the league in wins at +1000 with a schedule that isn’t too daunting.

Los Angeles Rams: (+1200)

The Rams have a new look with QB Matthew Stafford under center after a blockbuster trade with the Lions this offseason. That move alone makes them Super Bowl contenders, but there are some hurdles, too. RB Cam Akers is out for the year, they suffered major losses in free agency and Brandon Staley is no longer the defensive coordinator.

The schedule is also no cakewalk in the NFC West, but if the defense continues its reign as the top unit in the NFL and the offense takes even a marginal step forward with Stafford, the Rams will threaten to win 13-14 games.

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Long shot: Tennessee Titans (+3000)

The Titans were somewhat underrated last season as an 11-5 team, but they should be taken seriously in 2021. The Jacksonville Jaguars aren’t going to be very good, the Indianapolis Colts have quarterback questions with Carson Wentz and the Houston Texans might be the worst team in the league.

That’s six fairly favorable games for the Titans, though their other out-of-division matchups feature the Arizona Cardinals, Seahawks, Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, 49ers, Chiefs and Bills.

However, at +3000, the Titans look like a great value to potentially have a great season. An offense that features RB Derrick Henry, WR Julio Jones and WR A.J. Brown should not be overlooked.

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NFL futures: Which team will win the fewest games in 2021?

Assessing the NFL futures odds for which team will win the fewest games in 2021, with picks predictions and best bets.

The 2021 National Football League regular season is about to kick off, and there are plenty of teams not expected to do very much. Below, we look at the odds for the 2021 NFL team to win the fewest games, with NFL picks, predictions and best bets.

There is plenty of money to be made off of teams expected to struggle in 2021. There is one team and fanbase expected to be worse off than any other this season, and that’s the Houston Texans. However, the list of bad teams is littered with the usual suspects, too, and there are some value bets to make against teams who could fall shy of expectations.

2021 NFL team to win the fewest games picks

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday, Aug. 25.

Houston Texans (+210)

The Texans are expected to struggle mightily in 2021. The team traded the face of the franchise, DE J.J. Watt, to the Arizona Cardinals, QB Deshaun Watson tried to force his way out of town before running into off-field issues, and his status is very much up in the air. The skill positions have very little in the way of talent, and it’s likely a rookie will be thrown into the fire under center sooner than later.

The Texans to have an 0-17 record (Yes: +2000 | No: -5000) is an actual prop you can bet, too, although they should be able to avoid the goose egg. They’re still a good play to lose the most games and secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Detroit Lions (+380)

The Lions are expected to bring up the rear in the NFC, and like the Texans, there is a prop bet on the Lions to have an 0-17 record (Yes: +4000 | No: -10000).

The Lions traded QB Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for QB Jared Goff, and the quarterback gets a chance to turn over a new leaf in the Motor City after failing to meet expectations in SoCal. Goff has a terrible group of wide receivers in Detroit, however, and the running back situation isn’t great, either. RB D’Andre Swift is the best bet, but he is dealing with a groin injury which is problematic heading into the regular season.

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New York Jets (+750)

The Jets look like they struck gold with QB Zach Wilson, who has played very well in the preseason. However, there hasn’t been a significant amount of pressure on the rookie, either. Wait until those games against the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots inside the competitive AFC East, and we’ll find out a lot more about the rook.

The Jets are also snake-bitten, as they lost DE Carl Lawson to a season-ending injury, so the pass rush takes a huge hit, and that’s exactly what Gang Green did not need.

Jacksonville Jaguars (+1300)

Speaking of snake-bitten franchises and injuries, head coach Urban Meyer is dealing with some early adversity in Northeast Florida. Rookie RB Travis Etienne suffered a Lisfranc injury and will require foot surgery, ending his 2021 season. Running back is a position of strength for the Jags, however, as they still have James Robinson, Carlos Hyde and Dare Ogunbowale.

While they also have the No. 1 overall pick, QB Trevor Lawrence, working under center, they have an uphill battle against the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans inside the AFC South. Expect plenty of losses.

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Philadelphia Eagles (+1300)

The Eagles on this list? It’s hard to believe, but the offense has been atrocious during the preseason.

Philadelphia gave up on former first-round pick QB Carson Wentz, shipping him to the Colts, and QB Jalen Hurts will begin his first full season under center. The team also cleaned house, parting ways with veteran leadership in WRs DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffrey, as well as DT Malik Jackson.

The problem for the Eagles is their home schedule is ranked as the most difficult in the NFL, including visits from both Super Bowl combatants from last season, the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They also host the likes of the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers, as well as their divisional brethren.

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2021 NFL futures: Receiving yards leader picks and predictions

Analyzing the odds to be the 2021 NFL receiving yards leader, with picks, predictions and best bets.

There’s a wealth of talented wide receivers in the NFL today. At least 10 players in the league are clearly capable of finishing with the most receiving yards, making it difficult to predict who will lead the NFL in that category. Below, we look at the odds to be the 2021 receiving yards leader, with NFL picks, predictions and best bets.

Last season, Buffalo Bills WR Stefon Diggs came out of nowhere to lead the league in receiving with 1,535 yards on 127 receptions – also a league-high. The next closest player was Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce (1,416 yards), followed by Arizona Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins (1,407) and Minnesota Vikings rookie WR Justin Jefferson (1,400).

Could Diggs repeat as the NFL’s receiving yards leader in his second season with the Bills? Or will a different player – be it, a tight end or wideout – unseat him atop the league in 2021?

2021 NFL receiving yards leader picks

Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday, Aug. 24.

Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers (+750)

Adams is tied with Hill, Jefferson and Diggs as the second favorites to lead the league in receiving, but in my mind, he should have the best odds. With QB Aaron Rodgers staying in Green Bay and the Packers lacking a true No. 2 receiver who can take a significant number of targets away from Adams, the 2020 All-Pro is poised to put up big numbers.

Also see: Where to draft Adams in fantasy football

He was targeted 149 times in only 14 games last season and still managed to rack up 1,374 yards, leading the NFL with 98.1 yards per game. Had he stayed healthy, he very likely would’ve finished first in receiving yards. He’s a good value at +750.

Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs (+750)

Hill was targeted 137 times and caught 87 passes in 2018. He received 135 targets and caught 87 passes last season. However, he had 203 more yards in 2018 than he did last season, which was a difference of 2.3 yards per catch.

Also see: Where to target Hill in fantasy football

He’s a big-play weapon capable of scoring from anywhere on the field. The issue is he has to compete with Kelce for targets after the tight end saw 20 more passes thrown his way in 2020. Still, the Chiefs are going to air it out every week with QB Patrick Mahomes and Hill knows how to create big plays.

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Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills (+750)

Diggs was a productive receiver with the Vikings, posting at least 720 yards in each of his first five NFL seasons, including back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2018 and 2019. He really took off with QB Josh Allen in Buffalo.

He led the NFL with 1,535 yards and 127 catches last season, quickly becoming Allen’s favorite target on offense. There’s no reason to believe he’ll slow down, even with the emergence of WR Gabriel Davis, making him a good bet at +750.

Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons (+650)

Ridley erupted in 2020 while WR Julio Jones was injured and finished with a career-high 90 receptions for 1,374 yards and 9 touchdowns. He finished sixth in receiving yards and ninth in targets, two areas where he should see an uptick now that Jones is with the Tennessee Titans.

He’ll have to compete with rookie TE Kyle Pitts for targets, but Ridley is the unquestioned No. 1 receiver in Atlanta. He’s a solid pick at +650, but I don’t necessarily think he should be the favorite.

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Long shot: Terry McLaurin, Washington Football Team (+1500)

One of the only things McLaurin lacks that the other receivers on this list don’t is a Pro Bowl quarterback. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is expected to start for Washington and while he’s undoubtedly a gunslinger, he’s not in the same class as Mahomes, Rodgers, Allen or Matt Ryan.

McLaurin still managed to catch 87 passes for 1,118 yards last season, though, despite getting poor play from his quarterbacks. If Fitzpatrick can steady the ship in Washington, McLaurin could break out the way Ridley and Jefferson did last season.

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NFL Awards: 2021 Coach of the Year odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing the odds to be named the 2021 NFL Coach of the Year, with picks, predictions and best bets.

The NFL season is closing in and we can look ahead and project how teams will do. Coaching is a big factor in team performance, which is why coaches of teams who overachieve tend to be recognized for the NFL Coach of the Year award. Who should we look at for the 2021 honor? Below, we look at the odds to win the 2021 NFL Coach of the Year award, with NFL picks, predictions and best bets.

There has not been a repeat winner of the award since Joe Gibbs won in 1982 and 1983. Last year’s winner was Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and the year before that it was John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens.

It is a regular-season award, but the winner’s team is not usually the Super Bowl champion. The winner of the award typically leads a team that has great regular-season success when not necessarily expected to.

The Browns have rarely had success and won 11 games last season. The Ravens won 14 games with a second-year quarterback under center.

So to project a Coach of the Year, you have to look at teams who will absolutely dominate or be surprisingly good.

2021 NFL Coach of the Year picks

Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday, Aug. 23.

Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers (+1500)

Shanahan is largely viewed as one of the best coaches in the league but has only one winning season in his four years as the head coach of the Niners. That one year, they went to the Super Bowl.

They dealt with injuries last season but have a talented roster. They are not the favorites to win the NFC West, so if they remain healthy and win the toughest division in the league, especially if rookie QB Trey Lance ends up starting at some point, Shanahan probably wins it.

Brandon Staley, Los Angeles Chargers (+1300)

Staley is a rookie head coach with a promising second-year quarterback in Justin Herbert. If they are a double-digit win team and make the postseason, which is not beyond realistic possibilities, Staley is a perfect pick. It is why he has the shortest odds among all coaches.

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Kliff Kingsbury, Arizona Cardinals (+3000)

Kingsbury has some of the longest odds to win and is viewed by some as being on the hot seat. However, the team stacked the roster with veteran players who have had storied careers and QB Kyler Murray enters his third season. The Cardinals have taken the necessary step each year under Kingsbury, although they faltered late last season to lose out on a postseason berth.

The Cards play in the toughest division in football but have a roster with a Super Bowl ceiling. They could be this year’s Cleveland Browns or Buffalo Bills if things work out. Kingsbury makes a great value pick.

Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints (+2000)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the clear favorites in the NFC South to win the division, as they are the defending Super Bowl champs and are bringing back the whole roster. If the Saints are competitive and can get to 10 or 11 wins with either Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill at quarterback, it might end up being the finest coaching performance of Payton’s career.

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Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys (+3000)

McCarthy is another long shot but he gets QB Dak Prescott back and they play in a weak division. The Cowboys, if they stay healthy, should have one of the best offenses in the league and appear to have an improved defensive unit. If they run away with the NFC East, McCarthy would be the guy, especially being in only his second season as the Cowboys head coach.

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NFL Awards: 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing the odds to be named the 2021 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, with picks, predictions and best bets.

The NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year is more varied than the offensive counterpart. While only nine times has the Offensive Rookie of the Year been anything other a quarterback or running back, many positions get the defensive award. Who could be the player this year? Below, we look at the odds to be named the 2021 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, with NFL picks, predictions and best bets.

Three of the last seven winners have been edge defenders who specialize in rushing the passer. Last year, it was Washington Football Team DE Chase Young, and the year before it was San Francisco 49ers DE Nick Bosa.

However, linebackers, defensive tackles and cornerbacks have won it. Only one safety ever has.

Who are the best bets for the award this year? Read on.

2021 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year picks

Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 7:30 a.m. ET.

Pick 1: Miami Dolphins OLB Jaelan Phillips (+750)

The edge rushers in this rookie class are not as good in years past. There is no Chase Young or Nick Bosa, both of whom got some consideration for the top pick in the draft. However, Phillips is the most talented pass rusher among the rookies and has two very good cornerbacks behind him to give him extra time to pick up sacks.

Pick 2: Dallas Cowboys LB Micah Parsons (+500)

Parsons can fill a stat sheet and will get playing time from the beginning. He already is showing in the preseason he will be in on most plays. He also plays for a prominent Cowboys team that a lot of people see on television. That does matter.

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Pick 3: Arizona Cardinals LB Zaven Collins (+1200)

The Tulsa product is a freak. He is built like traditional middle linebackers from 20 years ago and moves like the smaller backers of today. He gets the Cardinals’ starting job from Week 1 and has players like J.J. Watt, Chandler Jones and Markus Golden playing in front of him at the line of scrimmage. He can tackle, rush the passer and make plays in coverage. He will be able to fill the stat sheet.

Pick 4: Carolina Panthers CB Jaycee Horn (+1500)

There are three very talented corners in this year’s rookie class, but Horn is my favorite. He plays well in coverage and gets his hands on the ball. A cornerback has to be a ballhawk, which he can be, and he also will mix it up and get dirty in the run game.

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Pick 5: Indianapolis Colts DE Kwity Paye (+1000)

Paye is a bit more raw as a pass rusher, but he has freakish athleticism and will play for a talented Colts defense. He also plays in the AFC South, where the Jaguars have a rookie quarterback and the Texans have a mess of a roster.

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NFL Awards: 2021 Offensive Rookie of the Year odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing the odds to be named the 2021 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, with picks, predictions and best bets.

The 2021 NFL season is approaching, and several teams will count on rookies to contribute in major fashion. The No. 1 overall pick was Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence, who likely will be the team’s starting quarterback beginning Week 1. Who will end up being the league’s best offensive rookie? Below, we look at the odds to be named the 2021 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year with NFL picks, predictions and best bets.

Last year’s winner was Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert. The previous year, it was Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray.

In fact, history suggests the rookie of the year will either be a quarterback or running back. It has been the case each of the last six years and 10 out of the last 11.

In fact, dating back to 1987, it has been a quarterback or running back all but nine times. The other nine times it has been a wide receiver. A tight end has never won it.

Who are the best bets for the award this year? Read on.

2021 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year picks

Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 7:15 a.m. ET.

Pick 1: Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence (+280)

Herbert and Murray were the last two winners. Murray started from Week 1 and was dynamic. Lawrence is considered the most talented quarterback prospect in some time. Of all the potential rookie starting quarterbacks, Lawrence is the most likely to start all year.

Pick 2: Pittsburgh Steelers Najee Harris (+550)

The running back position is one of the easiest to excel at as a rookie. He is the top back for the Steelers, who will rely on him to take the load of the offense off QB Ben Roethlisberger. He is the most talented back among the rookies and will have heavy usage.

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Pick 3: San Francisco 49ers QB Trey Lance (+550)

What makes Lance a good bet is the talent around him. The 49ers were in the Super Bowl two years ago. While he appears to be the least likely of the first-round quarterbacks to start early, Jimmy Garoppolo has a history of getting hurt. The 49ers have the best offensive scheme for him to succeed, and he has talent around him.

Pick 4: San Francisco 49ers RB Trey Sermon (+2000)

Head coach Kyle Shanahan might have the best running scheme in the NFL, considering the production he gets from seemingly lesser-talented players at the position. He is following in the footsteps of his father Mike Shanahan, who seemed to make different Pro Bowl running backs every other year.

While Shanahan hasn’t leaned on one back for the load, he hasn’t had a player like Sermon, who is physical. If you are looking for a long shot with a big payout, Sermon might be the guy.

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Pick 5: Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts (+750)

This seems like a throwaway as no tight end has ever won it. However, there has never been a more athletic player at the position. The Falcons typically have a prolific passing attack, and they no longer have Julio Jones. WR Calvin Ridley will be the primary target, and Pitts is likely going to become QB Matt Ryan’s favorite target.

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2021 Sack leader odds, picks and prediction: Who challenges T.J. Watt for the sacks title?

Analyzing the odds to be the 2021 NFL sack leader, with picks, predictions and best bets.

The NFL has become a passing league offensively, which means that getting pressure on quarterbacks is a priority for defensive coordinators. Quarterback sacks are huge. Who will lead the NFL in sacks in 2021? Below, we look at the odds to be named the 2021 NFL sack leader, with NFL picks, predictions and best bets.

Last year’s sack leader was Pittsburgh Steelers LB T.J. Watt with 15. His 15 sacks were the lowest for the league leader since Kevin Greene’s 14.5 in 1996. Only 10 players had at least 10 sacks last season.

There has not been a repeat sack leader in the NFL since Reggie White accomplished the task in 1987 and 1988, so we can certainly expect someone other than Watt this season.

2021 NFL sack leader picks

Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 7:15 a.m. ET.

Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett (+750)

The Browns added talent on the back end of their defense, which will allow Garrett a little longer to get to the quarterback. He is one of the most-feared pass rushers.

Los Angeles Rams DT Aaron Donald (+750)

Donald is always a good bet as he has led the league before. He is as close as we have in this generation to Reggie White. He has surpassed 20 in a season and was 1.5 sacks off the lead last season.

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San Francisco 49ers DE Nick Bosa (+2000)

Bosa is coming off a torn ACL last season but was incredibly disruptive as a rookie in 2019. He is just the sort of player to come into his own in his third season.

Arizona Cardinals OLB Chandler Jones (+1500)

Jones only had one sack in 2020 in five games before going down with a torn biceps. He led the league in sacks in 2017 and was a half-sack off the lead in 2019 with 19. While he is 31 years old, he is motivated, playing in a contract year and has additional help. The Cardinals signed J.J. Watt to rush from the other side, and offenses will either have to slide protection to one or the other. DE Jordan Phillips, who had 9.5 sacks in 2019, offers a big presence on the inside to push quarterbacks toward Jones when he is rushing.

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Washington Football Team DE Chase Young (+2000)

Young was the No. 2 pick in the draft last year and was a force as a rookie without an offseason or preseason to get some experience. He plays in a very physical defense and plays in the NFC East, where the three other teams he faces twice a season have had protection issues for their quarterbacks.

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2021 NFL futures: Odds, picks and predictions for most touchdown receptions

Analyzing the odds for the 2021 NFL leader in touchdown receptions, with picks, predictions and best bets.

With the NFL becoming such a passing league having talented receivers who can score touchdowns is something every team seeks. The Green Bay Packers certainly have one in WR Davante Adams, who led the NFL in touchdown receptions last year with 18. Below, we look at the odds to be the 2021 touchdown receptions leader, with NFL picks, predictions and best bets.

Adams hauled in 18 touchdown receptions from QB Aaron Rodgers despite playing just 14 games, leading the league by 3 over the next-closest player, Kansas City Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill. As the best receiver in football last season, earning All-Pro honors with Hill and Buffalo Bills WR Stefon Diggs, there’s no reason to believe he can’t follow it up with another huge season.

The tight ends shouldn’t be forgotten though. There are plenty of good ones in the NFL right now, led by Chiefs TE Travis Kelce, Las Vegas Raiders TE Darren Waller and San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle. Might one of them lead the league in touchdown receptions this season?

2021 NFL most TD receptions picks

Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday, Aug. 11, at 1:10 p.m. ET.

Green Bay Packers WR Davante Adams (+700)

Adams was borderline uncoverable last season, catching 115 passes for 1,374 yards and 18 touchdowns in only 14 games. The Packers aren’t a team that pounds the ball into the end zone when they approach the goal line which is why Adams is such a good bet to lead the league in touchdown catches. He had a league-leading 28 red-zone targets last season, catching 23 of them for 14 scores.

Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce (+1000)

Kelce is a rare high-volume tight end who saw 145 passes thrown his way last season. He caught 105 of them for 1,416 yards and 11 TD. He’s going to get plenty of chances to score and catch passes with the way Kansas City’s offense operates. I like Kelce as a better value than Hill at +750, which is why he’s my second pick here.

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Atlanta Falcons WR Calvin Ridley (+900)

WR Julio Jones is now with the Titans which opens the door for Ridley to be the No. 1 wideout in Atlanta – which he was when Jones was out last year. Ridley has been highly productive when it comes to scoring touchdowns in the NFL with 26 in only 44 career games thus far. His 20 red-zone targets ranked third in the NFL last season, although he caught only 11 of them.

Seattle Seahawks WR DK Metcalf (+1300)

Metcalf really broke out last season with 83 catches for 1,303 yards and 10 touchdowns. Metcalf is a big target in the red zone and also has the speed to score on deep passes but he has to share targets with WR Tyler Lockett. That makes him an enticing pick at +1300, especially with how often the Seahawks are likely to throw the ball.

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Long shot: Las Vegas Raiders TE Darren Waller (+3000)

Only one player in the NFL had more red-zone targets last season than Waller: Davante Adams. Waller was targeted 22 times in the red zone, and he caught 18 of those passes but only for 6 touchdowns. Even inside the 10-yard line he was targeted 11 times and caught 9 passes but scored just 6 times on those receptions.

If QB Derek Carr can give Waller more chances in the end zone, he might just lead the league in touchdown receptions.

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2021 NFL MVP odds, picks and predictions: Contenders must go through Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes remains the favorite to be crowned NFL MVP in 2021. Jess Root looks at the NFL futures odds and offers up picks, predictions and best bets for the 2021 award.

Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is the reigning NFL MVP entering the 2021 NFL season. There has not been a repeat MVP winner since Peyton Manning won it in 2008 and 2009. So who will win it this coming season? Below, we look at the odds to be named the 2021 NFL MVP, with NFL picks, predictions and best bets.

The MVP is almost always a quarterback. A signal-caller won the award every year since 2012 and 18 of the last 22 MVPs have been quarterbacks.

Last year, it was Rodgers. The previous year was Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson. Before that, it was Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes.

The favorites this year are Mahomes at +450, Rodgers at +750, Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen at +1000 and Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady at +1200.

2021 NFL MVP picks

Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (+450)

Because of his production since his sophomore 2018 season, Mahomes is always a possibility. He is arguably the best quarterback in the game and plays for the preseason 2022 Super Bowl favorites. He has won it before and has players all around him to put up big numbers.

Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen (+1000)

Allen broke out last season and the Bills were one win from the Super Bowl. He returns with much of the same offensive personnel and the Bills are a favorite to challenge the Chiefs for the AFC crown. Allen had big numbers last season and led the Bills to 13 wins. If he approaches that success again, it will take a huge season from someone else to top him.

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Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson (+1500)

Wilson looked like he was going to roll to the MVP last season with how he played in the first five games of 2020. He has been in the conversation almost yearly since entering the league in 2012.

Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray (+2000)

Murray is a very nice sleeper pick with a ton of value. He looked like an MVP candidate in the middle of the season when he was flirting with the potential of 4,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards. He became the first player to ever pass for more than 3,500 yards and rush for over 750 yards.

Now he has an improved offensive line in from of him and WR A.J. Green was added opposite WR DeAndre Hopkins. Murray offers the potential for the 4,000/1,000 combo with as many as 45 combined passing and rushing touchdowns. If he does what Allen did last year and the Cardinals win games, Murray is a real threat.

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Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield (+3000)

Mayfield had a big season last year while playing much more efficiently. But here’s the thing: the Browns might be the most talented team in the AFC and Mayfield gets WR Odell Beckham Jr. back this season.

If the Browns are contenders in the AFC and Mayfield’s numbers take another step forward, he will be a real threat.

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