The odds unveiled by Bovada on Tuesday say Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is the favorite to win the NFL’s Most Valuable Player Award in 2014.
With 3 to 1 odds, Manning is a clear favorite over the likes of Saints quarterback Drew Brees (11 to 2), Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (15 to 2) and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (9 to 1).
Down the list a little further is the 2012 NFL MVP Adrian Peterson. The Vikings running back has 25 to 1 odds behind his name, the same as Eagles running back LeSean McCoy and Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson.
Peterson, McCoy and Johnson are the only non-quarterbacks with top 20 odds. The trio of stars are tied for 12th on the list.
Yahoo Sports’ Eric Edholm sees their chances like this:
OK, the fantasy football elite here, and the first wave of non-quarterbacks. McCoy is dreaming of 2,000 yards this season, and his quarterback Nick Foles would have to do something pretty dramatic (and improve on his statistically eye-popping season from a year ago) to be a real candidate. So Shady makes some sense. Peterson beat out Manning two years ago, and he’s a cyborg, so that too is eminently possible. Calvin Johnson is Megatron. He also knows a little something about the 2K yardage mark. All shockingly legit choices, and maybe even higher (in non-betting reality) than some of the QBs listed right above them.
When Peterson won the award in 2012, none of the pundits gave him a chance because he was less than a year removed from reconstructive knee surgery. Peterson shocked the world by rushing for 2,097 yards and leading the Vikings to the playoffs.
Bleacher Report gave McCoy and fellow running backs Arian Foster, Ray Rice, Maurice Jones-Drew and Matt Forte a better shot to win the award in 2012.
Bovada also released other NFL prop bets. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater fourth among rookies with 7 to 1 odds to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.
