The postseason is here and sportsbooks didn't wait long to post Super Bowl 53 MVP odds. At this stage of the postseason it's a gamble as the large majority of players listed won't even make the Super Bowl.
On the flip side, bettors can find valuable odds on players who could be favored if their team makes it that far.
If a player you bet does make it to the Super Bowl, you can do a bit of hedging to cover your bases and guarantee profit.
Here's the initial list:
The top of the list is headlined by quarterbacks, with regular-season MVP candidates Drew Brees and Patrick Mahomes leading the way. Ten of the top 11 players listed are quarterbacks, but they actually haven't fared as well in the Super Bowl as they have in the regular season.
Quarterbacks have won 29 of the 53 Super Bowl MVPs (there were co-MVPs once), good for 54.7%. They have won seven of nine since 2010, and 12 of 19 since 2000.
In the regular season, QBs have accounted for about two-thirds of the winners and 10 of the past 11. Two defensive players and one kicker have also won, leaving the rest of the hardware to running backs.
While a wide receiver has never won in the regular season, pass-catchers have taken home six Super Bowl MVPs, including three this century. Defensive players have also had a much better shot, winning 10 times.
The only wide receivers listed are DeAndre Hopkins, Michael Thomas, Tyreek Hill and Keenan Allen — all at 50-1. If you have faith in any of their teams making/winning the Super Bowl, these players have some solid value.
Thomas and Hill are especially interesting considering the Saints and Chiefs are favored to reach the Super Bowl.
The defensive players on the list are Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack (33-1 each), as well as JJ Watt at 50-1.
