Many football fans will lose hundreds of dollars — if not much, much more — on fantasy football, friendly wagers and prop bets during the NFL 2017 season. Why not pick a long shot for the NFL MVP and win it all back?
Bovada updated their odds for prop bets and there are plenty of delectable options, particularly at MVP, where 40 players are listed with odds of plus-10,0 or better.
Most of those 40 players aren't worth a penny (e.g. Joe Flacco or T.Y. Hilton), but many are, including the reigning MVP and a two-time Super Bowl MVP.
MORE: NFL Production by College: Cal, Michigan State and USC Alums Most Productive in 2016
Here are three players buried in Bovada's NFL MVP odds that are worth throwing $10 on.
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Matt Ryan
Odds: 1/16
The reigning MVP led the Falcons to the Super Bowl last season, but Matt Ryan is light years behind Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, who came in second and third in MVP voting, respectively.
Under the tutelage of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, Ryan had by far the best season of his career — setting career highs in every major statistical categories. He had a top-three ranking in yards, touchdowns and completion percentage, which cannot be overstated. Completion percentage is a wildly overrated stat with how many dink-and-dunk systems the NFL now has, but his 9.26-yards per attempt average — highest in the league by more than one full yard — speaks for itself.
Shanahan is gone, which isn't great news for Ryan, but we know he's capable becuse he's done it as recently as last year.
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Eli Manning
Odds: 1/50
Eli Manning has never been close to winning an MVP — nor should he have been. He is however, just a year removed from back-to-back seasons of 4,000 yards, 30 touchdowns and fewer than 15 interceptions. And the Giants further bolstered an already-elite receiving corps this offseason by drafting Evan Engram in the first round.
Even with the Beckham-Shepard-Engram group, improved defense and winnable division, Manning is a major long shot. Still, those odds are too good to pass up.
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Kirk Cousins
Odds: 1/50
Call me crazy, but Kirk Cousins at 1/50 is the biggest steal of any player.
One of nine players with 1/50 odds, Cousins has been the subject of bizarre contract negotiations with the Redskins, who fail to realize a franchise quarterback fell into their lap after their heavy investment in Robert Griffin III blew up.
Cousins did lose DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garçon in free agency but got Terrelle Pryor — who's suddenly a better and more reliable receiver than either of them — and welcomes back Jamison Crowder. There are questions about the health of tight end Jordan Reed, but if he can stay on the field he will be another capable weapon for Cousins.
It's unclear if the front office turmoil will impact on-the-field results from both Cousins and/or the rest of the team but don't forget that the Redskins won eight games, narrowly lost to the Cowboys twice and went 3-1 against the Eagles and Giants.
If none of those three players tickle your fancy, here's a look at NFL MVP odds for all 40 players:
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Tom Brady | 2/11 |
| Aaron Rodgers | 1/6 |
| Derek Carr | 1/8 |
| Ben Roethlisberger | 1/9 |
| Dak Prescott | 1/12 |
| Russell Wilson | 1/16 |
| Matt Ryan | 1/16 |
| Le'Veon Bell | 1/16 |
| Ezekiel Elliott | 1/20 |
| Cam Newton | 1/25 |
| Andrew Luck | 1/25 |
| Drew Brees | 1/25 |
| Jameis Winston | 1/25 |
| David Johnson | 1/33 |
| Marcus Mariota | 1/33 |
| Carson Wentz | 1/33 |
| Antonio Brown | 1/50 |
| Julio Jones | 1/50 |
| Carson Palmer | 1/50 |
| Sam Bradford | 1/50 |
| Matthew Stafford | 1/50 |
| Eli Manning | 1/50 |
| Philip Rivers | 1/50 |
| Adrian Peterson | 1/50 |
| Kirk Cousins | 1/50 |
| Alex Smith | 1/66 |
| Ryan Tannehill | 1/66 |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | 1/66 |
| J.J. Watt | 1/66 |
| Rob Gronkowski | 1/66 |
| Khalil Mack | 1/66 |
| T.Y. Hilton | 1/100 |
| Von Miller | 1/100 |
| Andy Dalton | 1/100 |
| Joe Flacco | 1/100 |
| Marshawn Lynch | 1/100 |
| LeSean McCoy | 1/100 |
| Blake Bortles | 1/100 |
| DeMarco Murray | 1/100 |
