Quarterbacks Dominate NFL MVP Award Betting Odds

Quarterbacks have led the way in NFL MVP award voting over the past decade, so it comes as no surprise that the marquee position holds down the top eight spots on the current odds to claim that honor on the NFL online betting lines at the sportsbooks for the upcoming season.

And sitting right in the top spot, of course, is Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, who is listed as the 3/1 favorite after he won the National Football League’s MVP award for the fifth time in his Hall of Fame career last season. Manning picked up 49 of the 50 NFL MVP votes, with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady getting the other tally from the voters. Brady has been listed at 9/1 on the odds to win the 2014 NFL MVP award.

Manning won his first MVP Award back in 2003, then won it again in each of 2004, 2008, and 2009 when he was still with the Indianapolis Colts. Two seasons ago with the Broncos he finished in second place in the voting.

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson beat Manning for the NFL MVP award in 2012, and he’s at 25/1 on the odds to claim that honor in the upcoming season – making him the highest non-quarterback on the list. Along with Manning and Brady, also ahead of Peterson on those NFL betting odds are Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (6/1), New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (7/1), Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (16/1), Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (20/1), Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (20/1), and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaeperinick (22/1).

Since Manning won his first MVP award back in 2003 two other quarterbacks have also taken the honor – Brady in both 2007 and 2010, and Rodgers in 2011. Along with Peterson, the other non-QBs who won the award in that span were Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander in 2005 and San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006.

The last time a player other than a quarterback or running back won the NFL MVP award was back in 1986 – when New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor won the voting. A wide receiver has never paid off on the NFL football betting lines with a win on the NFL MVP props, but Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson has solid 25/1 odds at the sportsbooks right now.

Betting on the NFL MVP award at the sportsbooks also has Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III and Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson at 25/1, with Philadelphia Eagles LeSean McCoy and Nick Foles both at 28/1, and Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan each listed at 33/1.

And Johnny Football fans can find him on the National Football League’s MVP odds as well, but the Cleveland Browns quarterback is a longshot on the list – Manziel sits well back at 200/1 on those odds. New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith is even farther back, as he is pegged at 300/1 odds.