posted August 20, 2007 at 18:52 EST in NFL Articles

The Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player Award has been dominated by quarterbacks and running backs. Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants was the most recent non-quarterback, or non-running back, to take the award home and that was in 1986. The last two awards have been given to Shaun Alexander in 2005 and LaDanian Tomlinson in 2006, who both broke the rushing touchdowns record during their respective campaigns.

Venture to our NFL Betting Futures section in our sportsbook and you will find more then a handful of eligible bachelor’s waiting to take this award off its feet and take it home. Smart betting investors should stay away from the wide receiver position, although a few will warrant interest. Let’s take a look at the favorites, and some sleepers that could find themselves in the mix by season’s end.

1a. LaDanian Tomlinson – San Diego Chargers

What’s to stop him this year? Even Norv Turner isn’t stupid enough to screw this up. LDT (Lawrence Taylor is the rightful propagator of the nickname “LT”) is at the top of his game and there is a chance he could break his own scoring record of 31 rushing touchdowns. At +500, he is the favorite to win aside from…

1b. Peyton Manning – Indianapolis Colts

Manning finally got the monkey off his back by winning a Super Bowl and is also +500 to win this award. If the Colts steam roll through the season again, Peyton will receive endless praise since this team’s defense has been blown asunder by free-agency and injuries. The 2003 co-MVP will almost always be in the picture as long as he stays healthy.

2. Tom Brady – New England Patriots

Brady, surprisingly, has never won this award but this could very well be his year. At +650 he is just behind LDT and Peyton, and the reason the oddsmakers are pulling towards the Best Dressed Man in the World (as voted on by Esquire Magazine…don’t get me started) because of the recent acquisition of Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Donte Stallworth. Brady is a born winner, a patient and smart competitor and a three-time champion. Don’t be surprised if he adds league MVP to his mantle.

3. Larry Johnson – Kansas City Chiefs

Two things are killing Larry Johnson’s +800 chances at MVP. First, he is still holding out worse then a sober nun on prom night and, second, Priest Holmes is back in the fold. It is still unknown how much of an impact Holmes will have on the Chiefs offense, but 2007 is not off to the best start for the unsigned Johnson.

What should also concern LJ investors is the Curse of 370, which states that any running back who has carried the rock more then 370 times suffers an inevitable decline in his numbers and production over the next two seasons. It’s a proven commodity [link to Johnson vs. Holmes article if possible] and LJ could very well be cursed after rolling the rock 416 times last season.

4. Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints

Brees was the best quarterback in the 2006 NFL Season, and that was his first season with a new coach and a new team. With weapons like Marques Colston, Reggie Bush and rookie Robert Meacham, Brees stands to improve on his league leading 4,397 yards from last season.

5. Shaun Alexander (Seahawks), Carson Palmer (Bengals)

Both are given +1200 chances in the BetUS.com sportsbook and I don’t like either of their chances. Alexander is soft and Palmer’s Bengals will struggle to be in the NFL playoff hunt this season.

The following sleepers have some sexy odds, but a lot depends on how well their team fares. Here are some underdogs that should be catching the eye of a properly informed betting man.

Matt Leinart (Cardinals) – Easiest schedule in the league, three amazing receiving weapons and more football talent then sex appeal, this +2000 NFL MVP may be a bit young, but don’t be kicking yourself at season’s end when the AP calls his name.

Reggie Bush (Saints) – The most exciting playmaker to grace the NFL is a huge reason the Saints are a feared team. As Payton learns how to use this unique weapon, Bush’s numbers will escalate him up the stat board and on to the NFL MVP ballot. At +1500, why not take a flier?

Brian Westbrook (Eagles) – A very slim chance, especially at +2000, but Westbrook is the reason the Eagles have any fighting chance. He is durable, dynamic as a receiver, rusher and return man plus he puts up monster numbers. If the Eagles are able to rally towards an NFC crown, Westbrook will be a large reason why and you can cash in on the Eagles’ success which will undoubtedly be attributed to Westbrook.

Randy Moss (Patriots) – The +1500 favorite has the odds stacked against him since no receiver has ever won this award. But with Brady at the helm, anything is possible.

As always, the smart money resides with the favorites listed about, but the underdogs could be worth a chance if you are a NFL betting man (or woman). Either way, these eleven stars are going to be making headlines all season, but only one can win the NFL’s AP MVP award in 2007.

The 2007 NFL betting season is here in full force! If you like to bet on the NFL, you are in the best possible place for online betting. The BetUS sportsbook has NFL odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NFL lines up for early games as well. Join BetUS today and we'll help guide you right through to Super Bowl XLII and beyond!