Week 8 has come and gone, and we’re starting to see the pretenders and contenders show their colors. Some names like Jahmyr Gibbs and Joe Burrow have shot up in their respective categories, while players like Brock Purdy and Bijan Robinson have slipped. So, let’s take a look at the current standings for the MVP, Offensive Rookie of the Year and Coach of the Year with my best bet for each market ahead of Week 9.
Make sure you also keep an eye out for our NFL Week 9 picks, too!
NFL Most Valuable Player
There was very little movement in the MVP contenders after Week 8, with the only notable change being Patrick Mahomes becoming a co-favorite with Tua Tagovailoa.
NFL MVP Odds
Tua Tagovailoa +330
Patrick Mahomes +330
Jalen Hurts +400
Lamar Jackson +500
Josh Allen +1300
Christian McCaffrey +1800
Joe Burrow +2000
Brock Purdy +2000
Trevor Lawrence +2200
Jared Goff +3500
NFL MVP Best Bet: Joe Burrow (+2000)
If you’re looking for value, look no further than Joe Burrow. Cincinnati’s quarterback had a rough start to the season as he battled a calf injury that kept him from being 100% for several weeks. The bad losses started to pile up, and the doubt continued to grow. However, Burrow has seemingly turned the corner on his season. He has thrown 8 touchdowns and 785 yards in his last three games against the 49ers, Seahawks and Cardinals. Burrow has the opportunity to move up the list with a solid performance againt Buffalo in Week 10, and based on how he’s played recently, I like his chances. If you like Burrow’s odds now, take them, because they likely will be lower after Monday.
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
There’s been a shakeup in the Offensive Rookie of the Year list as breakout Week 8 performances from Will Levis and Jahmyr Gibbs have completely changed the odds.
NFL OROY Odds
C.J. Stroud -200
Puka Nacua +350
Jahmyr Gibbs +1000
Bijan Robinson +1400
Jordan Addison +1800
Will Levis +3000
Zay Flowers +3000
De’Von Achane +3000
Jaxon Smith-Njigba +3500
NFL OROY Best Bet: Jahmyr Gibbs (+1000)
Will Levis had by far the best Week 8 performance of any rookie. After riding the bench for the first 7 weeks, Levis got the start against the Falcons and threw for 238 yards, 4 touchdowns and no interceptions in his NFL debut. And while that’s impressive, it was only one game. I’m not buying stock in Levis just yet – especially because Mike Vrabel said that Levis might not even start in Week 9. Instead, I’m turning my attention to the rookie we have all been waiting to see break out – Jahmyr Gibbs. Detroit’s rookie running back has played a much smaller role in the Lions offense than anyone could have expected, but with David Montgomery out Gibbs has seen his workload shoot through the roof. In Week 8, Gibbs ran for 152 yards on 26 carries and a touchdown while also racking up 37 receiving yards on 5 catches. Detroit has a bye in Week 9, but still, Gibbs is on the rise and I’m buying in his stock now.
NFL Coach of the Year
There are some new faces towards the top of the list, like John Harbaugh and Pete Carroll, but the top two favorites remain the same.
NFL COY Odds
Dan Campbell +175
Mike McDaniel +275
Robert Saleh +600
DeMeco Ryans +1200
Doug Pederson +1500
John Harbaugh +1600
Pete Carroll +1600
Nick Sirianni +2000
Kyle Shanahan +2500
NFL COY Best Bet: Dan Campbell (+175)
Robert Saleh has shot up the list, but he remains behind Dan Campbell and Mike McDaniel. My guess is that the Coach of the Year award will be between Campbell and McDaniel for the rest of the season, and every other coach is just fighting to come in third. Campbell and McDaniel are coaching 2 of the best teams in football. Each team has gotten plenty of attention through the first 9 weeks, and I doubt that is going to change anytime soon. But since the Lions have had a bigger turnaround season from 2022 and have a plethora of young talent on the roster, I don’t see how Campbell doesn’t win this award if the Lions stay on this path. It’s never the most fun taking the favorite, but Campbell truly does still have value — even as the favorite.
