The contender list for NFL Offensive Player of the Year is a long one…
but how many are legitimate threats?
Flawed Cases for OPOY?
What Happened: Take a look at the odds for the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award, and you’ll see some of the league’s most exciting talents. (Minus QBs – the best passer gets the MVP nod and the rest are left trophyless.)
You’ll also see some holes in the case for the top contenders, making this feel like a wide open market at the moment.
Why It Matters: Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill (+700 at DraftKings) leads the way in OPOY odds, seemingly a no-brainer choice. But in the last five games of the season, Hill missed one with injury and failed to top 100 yards in the other four (as well as in Miami’s playoff loss) as he dealt with injuries. He’s only 30-years old, but if ankle injuries take their toll, his speed could diminish quickly.
Christian McCaffrey (+750)? Already dealing with a calf injury in an offense that’s crowded with playmakers. Receivers CeeDee Lamb (+950) and Ja’Marr Chase (+1200) aren’t even practicing yet as hold-outs (or hold-ins, depending on the day with Chase) in search of improved contracts.
Further down the list, quarterback health muddies the cases for Justin Jefferson (+1500) and Breece Hall (+1500) to fully unlock their abilities. It’s a wide open field of contenders; the way to a winning bet may be predicting which players actually suit up for 17 games this season.
What We’re Watching Today
Cardinals at Reds (6:40 PM ET) – Neither of these clubs is going to catch the Brewers atop the NL Central, but both are within striking distance of the last wild card spot in the NL. The Cards are 3.5 games out, the Reds 4.5 away, so keeping pace in this crowded playoff picture is paramount for these two rivals. Plus, any excuse to watch Elly De La Cruz is one we’ll take.
Astros at Rays (6:50 PM ET) – Tampa Bay, somehow, is still alive in the American League. (Evergreen sentiment.) Despite a sub-.500 record, the Rays are only 5.5 back of the Royals for the final wild card berth. Things won’t be easy today though, as they face the Astros, the hottest team in MLB (seven straight wins,) with their ace Ronel Blanco on the hill.
The Look Ahead
Joey Estes STRIKEOUTS – The bats have gone cold in Queens, and we think today, Estes will benefit from New York’s slump. The Athletics right-hander carries a line of 3.5 strikeouts into his start tonight against the Mets, which is a figure he’s bested 11 times in 15 starts this year. The Amazins have whiffed 13 times in consecutive games, by the way, so even if you doubt Estes, his opponent may make this easy on him.
