Top 3 Super Bowl MVP bets
The Super Bowl Most Valuable Player is always a popular bet. Based on our outlook, here are the three candidates we recommend in Sunday's game between the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams.
Rams QB Jared Goff (+250)
It feels as though Goff has been almost forgotten about since we entered 2019. Perhaps it's because the rejuvenation of running back C.J. Anderson has dominated L.A. headlines, or the fact that championship weekend featured a quartet of quarterbacks which included the likely regular-season Most Valuable Player, two surefire Hall of Famers, and Goff. Whatever the reason, it seems the football world is sleeping on the Rams' signal-caller.
But for an award which has been given to a quarterback in seven of the previous nine Super Bowls, it shouldn't be surprising that the Rams gunslinger is behind only Tom Brady (+100) in the odds. If Los Angeles wins, Goff has a great chance of taking home the honors.
The Patriots' defense was relatively average in basic statistical categories this season. New England was dealt a slew of weak passing offenses, including the Bills (No. 31 in the NFL in passing yards per game), Dolphins (No. 30), and Jets (No. 25) - each of whom it played twice - as well as the Titans (No. 29), Jaguars (No. 27), Lions (No. 21), and Bears (No. 20). The Patriots played only three teams with passing offenses ranked in the top 10 (the Chiefs twice, Steelers, and Packers) and allowed an average of 285.5 yards through the air and 11 passing touchdowns over those four games. The total is high and the Rams are underdogs; Goff should put up some big numbers.
Any running back (+400)
Most respected shops are offering nice hauls on running backs to win the award: Todd Gurley +1000, Sony Michel +1200, Anderson +1600, James White +2000, and frequent touchdown vulture Rex Burkhead at +6600. The way both teams distribute the ball to their backs - especially as Anderson has taken on a larger role alongside Gurley - makes it tough to pick which candidate will rise above the rest. Running backs don't typically take home MVP - there have been only seven - but taking the +400 instead of trying to hit a home run on one of the many involved Sunday is somewhat of a safety valve.
Rams WR Robert Woods (+5000)
The prices on defensive players can sometimes be attractive if you're looking for a flier, but that's for good reason. Production on that side of the ball is somewhat random, as it's tough to predict who will be there when an interception is up for grabs or a fumble is bouncing around. So, we'll stick with the offensive players and recommend wide receiver Woods. He has the ceiling an MVP candidate needs, as he netted 100 or more yards in three games this year and scored multiple touchdowns in two. He's also attempted a rush in 13 of the Rams' 18 games, which could simply pad his stats or possibly lead to a huge play on Sunday.
Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.