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L A S V E G A S W E E K LY
9.2.21
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson 25-to-1 & Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott 25-to-1 (Golden Nugget) Wilson was the favorite to win the MVP through the first half of last season before tailing off and falling short. Still, it’s worth remembering the outcry during his hot streak, when every pundit was wondering aloud how the former Super Bowl champion had never as much as earned a single MVP vote. The same support will emerge this year if Wilson is successful, and considering Seattle’s average record under him is 11-5, there’s no reason to believe he won’t be. There’s more hype around the NFC West rival 49ers and Rams, but the Seahawks are the surest thing, and that’s all because of Wilson. Narrative matters to voters, a reason why it’s worth taking Prescott as a second mid-tier option next to Wilson. Prescott has put up MVP-worthy statistics when healthy, and despite an early scare in training camp, he now seems healthy and recovered from offseason ankle surgery. Prescott has a strong chance to lead Dallas back to fielding one of the NFL’s most efficient offenses, and if he pulls it off, he’ll get strong MVP consideration.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt 10-to-1, Broncos edge rusher Bradley Chubb 60-to-1 (William Hill) & Seahawks safety Jamal Adams 80-to-1, Buccaneers linebacker Devin White 80-to-1 (BetMGM) The traditional formula for this award is to find a team that exceeds expectations behind a great defense that makes up for a mediocre offense and pick that defensive unit’s best player. Watt and Chubb both fit the bill perfectly. Neither Pittsburgh nor Denver is guaranteed to be any better than average this year, but they both have a chance, and if they do exceed expectations, it will be because of their defenses. Watt narrowly finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting last year to the Rams’ Aaron Donald, making him a favorite worth backing this season. Adams and White are on more offensively competent teams, but their prices are too high not to take a shot as two of the most highly-regarded defensive players in the NFL poised for their best seasons yet.
OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
49ers quarterback Trey Lance 8-to-1 (Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook) Expect spirited competition here between the five first-round draft pick rookie quarterbacks breaking into the league this year—Lance, Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, the Jets’ Zach Wilson, the Bears’ Justin Fields and the Patriots’ Mac Jones. But Lance has a big advantage over his competitors: He’s got by far the best team around him. The 49ers look like the only one of the bunch coming into the year as Super Bowl contenders if they stay healthy, and Lance’s big-play ability should only make them better. At the least, Lance should be sitting as a co-favorite next to Lawrence at no higher than 4-to-1.
PLAYER PLAYS
