2022 NFL MVP odds: Steelers' TJ Watt among 4 players taking more betting action than their team's quarterback
There's an interesting NFL MVP trend going on at Caesars Sportsbook currently.
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Which four teams have the most questionable starting quarterback situation entering the 2022 NFL season? One could make an argument for the Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelers… and the Tennessee Titans? The latter is a questionable inclusion, but as of today at Caesars Sportsbook those ffour teams are the only ones whose most popular player wager (by tickets) to win NFL MVP is not the starting QB.
The Falcons will start the post-Matt Ryan era with Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota at quarterback, although he might not hold off third-round rookie Desmond Ridder all that long. Mariota opened the 2019 season as the Titans' starter but was replaced by Ryan Tannehill about halfway through that campaign and hasn't started a game since. Mariota is +10000 to win MVP but has taken fewer tickets than second-year tight end Kyle Pitts. The former Florida Gator had a historically good rookie season for the position, but no tight end has won MVP and Pitts is +30000 to be the first.
Speaking of Tannehill, he remains entrenched as Tennessee's starter despite a face plant in the postseason. He is +20000 to win MVP but is taking fewer tickets than running back Derrick Henry, who is +4500 – the shortest odds of any non-QB. That makes sense, because Titans' offense all but entirely runs through Henry.
Mitchell Trubisky should be Pittsburgh's Week 1 quarterback but it's likely only a matter of time before first-round rookie Kenny Pickett takes over. There have been reports out of Steelers camp that Trubisky has not been sharp thus far. He is +8000 to win MVP but taking fewer tickets than reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year TJ Watt, who is +25000. That's somewhat understandable as well, especially if Watt breaks the single-season sack record of 22.5 that he tied last year. Watt was voted Pittsburgh's team MVP for the third consecutive year in 2021. No defensive player has won league MVP since Lawrence Taylor in 1986.
Finally, the Seahawks will have decide between Geno Smith (the early favorite) or Drew Lock to start Week 1, unless perhaps Jimmy Garoppolo is released by the 49ers. Smith isn't even a betting option for MVP, while Lock is +25000. Receiver DK Metcalf is also +25000 and taking more tickets than both quarterbacks.
Which Fantasy Football sleepers, breakouts and busts should you target and fade? And which QB shocks the NFL with a top-five performance? Join SportsLine now to get Fantasy Football cheat sheets for every single position, all from the model that called Jonathan Taylor's huge season, and find out.