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Football Betting Odds: The National Football League Most Valuable Player is an award given by various entities to the player who is considered most valuable to his team in the NFL. Selectors of the award have included the Associated Press (AP), the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), and United Press International (UPI).
The first award described as a most valuable player award was the Joe F. Carr Trophy, awarded by the NFL from 1938 to 1946. The honor was first given in 1937 to Dutch Clark of the Detroit Lions. However, both contemporary and modern sources consider the 1938 award the first retroactive Joe F. Carr Trophy, and thus the first NFL MVP award. Players were chosen by a panel of sportswriters and the award remains the only MVP award the NFL has officially sanctioned.
UPI sportswriters gave an NFL most valuable player award in 1948, 1951, and from 1953 to 1969. In 1970 they instituted separate awards for the National Football Conference (NFC) and American Football Conference (AFC).
The NEA presented its MVP award from 1955 to 2007. The winner was chosen by a poll of NFL players and received the Jim Thorpe Trophy, which by 1975 was described as "one of the pros' most coveted honors." The Pro Football Writers of American named their first most valuable player in 1975 and continue to do so.
The Associated Press NFL most valuable player award is voted upon by a panel of 50 sportswriters at the end of the regular season, before the playoffs, though the results are not announced to the public until the day before the Super Bowl. The AP has selected an MVP since the 1957 season and the AP most valuable player is recognized as the "NFL MVP."
PAST MVP WINNERS
Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton was named the league’s MVP following the 2015 season, the third consecutive year and the eighth time in the past nine seasons the honor was bestowed upon a quarterback. In 59 years since the AP started selecting an MVP in 1957, a quarterback has won the award 40 times. That’s a valuable bit of information to know if you’re looking for a futures bet.
Vikings’ running back Adrian Peterson was the last non-quarterback to win the award, taking the honor for the 2012 season. It was the 18th time in the AP era that a running back was tabbed MVP. In all, either a quarterback or running back has won the award 58 times. There were co-MVP’s named in 1997 and 2003, bringing the total number to 61.
No receiver has ever been named NFL MVP by the Associated Press, though Jerry Rice was honored by the NEA and PFWA in 1987. Prior to that you have to go back to 1955 when Harlon Hill captured the NEA award. Green Bay’s Don Hutson, who won the Joe F. Carr trophy in 1941 and 1942, is the only other receiver to win the MVP.
It’s a good bet to stay away from defenders when it comes to the MVP Award. Only twice has a defensive player been honored, and both times followed devastating seasons. Minnesota lineman Alan Page was pegged the 1971 MVP by the AP and linebacker Lawrence Taylor earned the honor in 1986.
ASSOCIATED PRESS NFL MVP WINNERS (Since 2000)
2018: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs, quarterback
2017: Tom Brady, New England Patriots, quarterback
2016: Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons, quarterback
2015: Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers, quarterback
2014: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers, quarterback
2013: Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos, quarterback
2012: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings, running back
2011: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers, quarterback
2010: Tom Brady, New England Patriots, quarterback
2009: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts, quarterback
2008: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts, quarterback
2007: Tom Brady, New England Patriots, quarterback
2006: LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers, running back
2005: Shaun Alexander, Seattle Seahawks, running back
2004: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts, quarterback
2003: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts, quarterback
Steve McNair, Tennessee Titans, quarterback
2002: Rich Gannon, Oakland Raiders, quarterback
2001: Kurt Warner, St. Louis Rams, quarterback
2000: Marshall Faulk, St. Louis Rams, running back
2019 MVP CANDIDATES
With quarterbacks winning the award over 65 percent of the time, a deep look at the position is needed. And where better to start than with last season’s winner.
Don't let the Super Bowl 50 performance – or the nonsense after the big game – fool you. Cam Newton is a beast. He earned that MVP trophy last year and should be right back in the mix in 2016. Kelvin Benjamin is returning, which will help Newton's numbers. But his value goes way beyond the stat sheet. With Josh Norman now in Washington, Cam again will be asked to play the role of Superman. Precedent says he'll be up for the challenge. After all, Cam and Co. led the NFL in scoring last season without their best receiver.
Twelve games? Sixteen games? It doesn't matter. Tom Brady is still at the top of his game. We saw that last year as he tossed a league-high 36 touchdown passes with a sparkling 102.2 passer rating. If New England's forced to start the season without him, and the future Hall of Famer comes back and saves the 2-2 Patriots, it'll take his MVP candidacy to another level.
The Packers improved their offensive line this offseason and that's a big deal. Aaron Rodgers was sacked an unacceptable 46 times last season. The return of Jordy Nelson is even bigger. The passing attack lacked explosiveness and consistent execution without Rodgers' favorite target. Rodgers is still the best quarterback in the NFL, and he's set up for a vintage Rodgers season – one where he guides the Packers to an NFC North title and carves up defenses on a weekly basis.
A longshot among the quarterbacks is Indianapolis’ Andrew Luck. The 26-year-old is still an elite talent and the best quarterback in the suddenly competitive AFC South. And now that Ryan Grigson actually drafted a few offensive linemen to support the face of the franchise, Luck will mask areas of deficiency and remind you he's Andrew Luck.
After missing almost the entire 2014 season, Adrian Peterson returned in 2015 and led the league in rushing. On the field, he's still a flat-out superstar, poised for another big-time season. If the Vikings win 10-plus games again, Peterson will be the biggest reason why. AD will be forced to carry the offense while facing loaded boxes until Teddy Bridgewater proves he is a consistent big-time quarterback, but the 31-year-old physical marvel is up to the task.
With all the upgrades Houston made to its offense this offseason, J.J. Watt is still the man. This is an all-time great defensive lineman, the best defensive player in the game today. Over the past four seasons, Watt's racked up three Defensive Player of the Year awards and an astounding 69 sacks. He's a one-man wrecking crew. The Texans' success this year will stem from Watt's domination and the defense.
Dez Bryant is back, and he could dominate in 2016. He’s likely to post a season worthy of first-team All-Pro recognition. Why? Well, Tony Romo is back, as well, and that changes everything. He's a true franchise quarterback. Ezekiel Elliott's presence will provide the necessary balance on offense. Dez, who never lacks passion for the game, will be a man on a mission. After a highly disappointing season, 2016 is going to be fun for Dallas.
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