Week 7 has come and gone, and we’re starting to see the pretenders and contenders show their colors. Some names like Lamar Jackson and AJ Brown have shot up in their respective categories, while players like Jared Goff and Tua Tagovailoa have slipped. So, let’s take a look at the current standings for the MVP, Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year with my best bet for each market ahead of Week 8. Make sure you also keep an eye out for our NFL Week 8 picks too!
NFL Most Valuable Player
It’s the usual suspects at the top of the MVP contenders list with a shake-up in the top three heading into Week 8.
NFL MVP Odds
Patrick Mahomes +240
Tua Tagovailoa +430
Jalen Hurts +450
Lamar Jackson +700
Brock Purdy +1100
Christian McCaffrey +1200
Josh Allen +1500
Trevor Lawrence +2500
Jared Goff +3500
NFL MVP Best Bet: Jared Goff (+3500)
Heading into Week 7, the Lions were tied for the NFL’s best record of 5-1 with the Chiefs, Eagles and 49ers. At that point, Jared Goff’s MVP odds were down to +1800 at Caesars Sportsbook, the lowest it had been all season. However, Week 7 turned out to be a reality check for the Lions. Detroit lost to the Ravens by a score of 38-3 as Lamar Jackson totaled four touchdowns and the Baltimore offense cut right through the Lions’ secondary. Although the Lions were without David Montgomery, his absence shouldn’t have been too big of an issue since Detroit has rookie Jahmyr Gibbs as the backup.
Goff was 33/53 for 284 yards and an interception, so his MVP odds nearly doubled as he now sits at 35/1 heading into Week 8. However, even with the Week 7 loss, he still has excellent value. The Lions have the Raiders, Chargers and Bears in the next three weeks, so that could be three wins for Detroit, and that would put Goff’s odds back to below 20/1. At 35/1, he’s worth the sprinkle.
NFL Offensive Player of the Year
We’re seven weeks into the NFL season, and the top contenders for the Offensive Player of the Year award have primarily stayed the same.
NFL OPOY Odds
Tyreek Hill +125
Christian McCaffrey +150
AJ Brown +1000
Ja’Marr Chase +2500
Lamar Jackson +2500
Tua Tagovailoa +3000
Stefon Diggs +3000
Jalen Hurts +3500
Travis Kelce +4000
NFL OPOY Best Bet: Travis Kelce (+4000)
Has anyone else never heard about this “Travis Kelce” guy before Taylor Swift? I’m kidding, of course, but the Kelce and Swift drama has captured the NFL’s attention for the last three weeks or so. But make no mistake – Kelce did not need anyone to put him on the map. He’s been one of the best tight ends in the league for the last several years and has the potential to go down as one of the greatest tight ends to ever play. He’s been a big part of Kansas City’s success once again this season (no surprise there), as he’s hauled in 21 catches for 303 yards and a touchdown in his last two games. He will continue to get 10+ targets every game, so if he continues to stay healthy and open, Kelce has an excellent chance to continue moving up this list until he’s a top-five contender.
NFL Defensive Player of the Year
The contenders for the Defensive Player of the Year award are exactly who you would expect, and it continues to be a three-man race for the award.
NFL DPOY Odds
Micah Parsons +180
Myles Garrett +200
TJ Watt +250
Aidan Hutchinson +1200
Nick Bosa +2000
Fred Warner +2500
Chris Jones +2500
Maxx Crosby +3500
Danielle Hunter +6000
NFL DPOY Best Bet: Myles Garrett (+250)
At the top of the list are Micah Parsons, Myles Garrett and TJ Watt, and I would be very surprised if the winner of this award wasn’t one of those three. It’s been between those three defensive stars since Week 1, and while players like Maxx Crosby and Fred Warner have moved up in the list in the last few weeks, it seems hard to imagine that they could top Parsons, Garrett or Watt. For that reason, I’m going to take Garrett as my pick heading into Week 8. Cleveland has cemented itself as the best defense in football after they beat the 49ers in Week 6, and the star of that defense is Garrett. In six games this season, Garrett has 22 tackles, 7.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. If he stays on that pace, it will be hard to consider anyone but him for this award.
