9 weeks in the rearview mirror. For better or worse, it’s time to stop and take stock of some futures tickets.
close to coaster
Dak Prescott (+5000 MVP)
Dallas’ QB has been at his best in recent weeks, but any thoughts of him being an MVP candidate are on hold as he once again comes up short at the end of a key game. There is time to revive this ticket, but history shows no reason to believe things will change.
Tua (+650 MVP) and McDaniel (+400 COY)
Speaking of falling short, the Dolphins have won here twice after losing in Germany, with both Tagovailoa and their head coach. I’m not sure there are enough quality wins left on the schedule to revive each incident.
Bijan Robinson (+1600 OROY)
The Falcons’ running backs might be special. He could be the top offensive talent in the 2023 draft. But for now, CJ Stroud just needs to stay healthy to earn Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. On that note, have Carolina’s management and owners reconsidered the Stroud vs. Young “debate” they had leading up to the draft?
Josh Allen (+2000 MVP)
Ironically, injuries to the Bills’ defensive end have kept Allen out of the MVP conversation. Those same injuries could keep Buffalo out of the playoffs. Check out the rest of the schedule.
Worth the sprinkling
Lamar Jackson (+3000 OPOY)
If you’re in the Patrick Mahomes MVP camp (+350), it looks like you’re going to have to find some room somewhere to acknowledge the great season Lamar Jackson and the Ravens have produced. Tyreek Hill (+125 OPOY) stalls overseas, AJ Brown (+550) is good but not great at home against Dallas, and Christian McCaffrey (+125) and the 49ers are in a bit of a scuffle. Is there room in the market to consider a Baltimore signal-caller (+3000) to win the award?
CeeDee Lamb (+1000 Most Receiving Yards)
With Tyreek Hill (-130) and AJ Brown (+300) both on defaults this week, can CeeDee Lamb catch them and get his most receiving yards of the season (+1000)? Over the past three weeks, Lamb has gained 466 yards on 30 catches (on 37 targets). Just know that Dallas Goedert’s injury in Philadelphia has reduced Brown’s productivity in two seasons.n.d. Half, but Ram’s dominance after calling for the ball shouldn’t be ignored.
Atlanta Falcons (+190 to win NFC South)
The Falcons trail the Saints by one game in the South Division. New Orleans (-145) has his second-easiest late-season schedule, while Atlanta has the easiest. Plus, they still have to play New Orleans twice, which gives them plenty of time to get past Derek Carr and co. Aim for the top spot.
As the coming weeks unfold, we’ll be reflecting on other opportunities, and those very much lived, but also squandered.
Enjoy the game and work up a sweat.
*All odds provided by DraftKings