NFL betting awards watch – Jonathan Taylor enters the MVP conversation

With seven teams favored by at least nine points, Week 15 figured to provide minimal drama and the chalk was expected to keep eating. However, the top of both the MVP and Super Bowl betting boards shook up, setting up an intriguing home stretch to the regular season.

Value is out there but where?

MVP odds

As my ESPN colleague Lee Corso would say, “not so fast, my friend.” Tom Brady looked well on his way to his fourth MVP award, but the Buccaneers lost as 11.5-point favorites and the quarterback laid another egg against the New Orleans defense. Entering the weekend, he was a -140 favorite to win the award but now Aaron Rodgers (+150) surpassed Brady (+170) as the favorite with three games left.

This is the point where we must handicap the voters more than the athletes? Will voters recognize that Rodgers also struggled against New Orleans in the opener with just 133 passing yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions? I doubt it. Will the reigning MVP lose votes due to voter fatigue, his Covid vaccine word salad or his off-season contract shenanigans? I believe some media members will hold things against him.

I can’t believe I’m about to write this next sentence… I now think Jonathan Taylor is worth a play at 10-1. Voters like to be different and many will feel like a purist if they actively do not vote for a quarterback. Plus, voting for a RB is an easy solution to the Brady-Rodgers dilemma. And let’s also indicate that Taylor is very good and a key reason for Indianapolis’ playoff push. So while I personally do not believe he should win, I do believe there’s a solid chance voters will back him. At 10-1, it’s a play for me.

Preseason betting favorite Patrick Mahomes (+900) remains in the mix but I doubt he has the stats or narrative. Yes, Kansas City has won eight-straight games and is currently the AFC’s top seed but the defense has been earning the…