At age 40, no one expected New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady to perform at this level and contend for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award this season. However, Brady has defied Father Time as he has led the Patriots to an 11-3 record this season and has paced the NFL with 4,163 total passing yards and 8.1 yards per attempt. Brady also ranks second in passer rating with 104.0 and third in passing touchdowns with 28.
Brady’s performance has placed him among the favorites for the MVP trophy while the Patriots are seen to win their sixth Super Bowl trophy this season.
Citing oddsmaker Bovada, Rich Hill of Patspulpit.com said Brady is the heavy favorite to win the MVP trophy for the third time. According to Bovada, Brady now has 1/5 odds or 83.3 percent of winning the MVP trophy. In his career, Brady has won the hardware in 2007 and 2010.
Gurley second in MVP odds
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley, who is having a breakout season, is second with 5/1 odds of winning the MVP trophy. Last week, Gurley ran 21 times for 152 yards and three touchdowns and caught three passes for 28 yards and a score in their 42-7 rout of the Seattle Seahawks. This season, Gurley is second with 1,817 yards from scrimmage and his 17 total touchdowns lead the NFL by a wide margin with DeAndre Hopkins of the Houston Texans and Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints trailing with 12 scores each.
Bovada gave Saints quarterback Drew Brees and Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson 12/1 odds to win the MVP trophy. Brees is tied with Brady with 104.0 passer rating, but the Patriots signal-caller has 300 more passing yards and seven more passing touchdowns. Wilson is second in the NFL with 30 passing touchdowns, but he is not likely to contend for the award as the Seahawks are bound to miss the postseason.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, who is out for the year with an injury, is fifth with 16/1 odds. Before he got injured, Wentz was having a career year, leading the NFL with 33 touchdown passes.
Patriots favorites to win AFC, Super Bowl
According to Bovada, the Patriots are now the heavy favorite to capture the AFC title with 4/5 odds or 55.6 percent, thanks to their 27-24 win over closest conference rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have a 3/1 odds while the Jacksonville Jaguars have 13/2.
The oddsmaker also gave the Patriots 12/5 odds or 29.4 percent to win their sixth Super Bowl trophy, leading the Minnesota Vikings and Steelers, who both have 6/1 odds. The Rams, Saints, and the Eagles have 10/1 chances of winning the Super Bowl. The Patriots won Super Bowl LI via a comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons.
