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Jump On Saints WR Michael Thomas' Longshot NFL MVP Odds Now

Bill Williamson for Bookies.com

Bill Williamson  | 3 mins

Jump On Saints WR Michael Thomas' Longshot NFL MVP Odds Now

As the NFL regular season enters its final month, the league Most Valuable Player race will sort itself out.

There is still time to bet and the FanDuel sportsbook is offering an intriguing longshot with just five weeks remaining – Michael Thomas.

FanDuel has the superstar New Orleans Saints wide receiver priced at +10000 (100/1) on the MVP NFL futures betting market. For a player on pace to set a significant single-season NFL record, that is a worthy flier.

Case Against Michael Thomas as NFL MVP

There are reasons Thomas is priced at +10000, of course. No wide receiver has ever won the NFL MVP, which was first awarded in 1957.

Ponder that. Many NFL observers believe Jerry Rice is the greatest player in NFL history. Yet he never won the MVP award, nor has any of the other superstar receivers ever to play in the league.


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Another factor not in Thomas’ favor is the performances this season by Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.

Jackson, who was incredible in a huge Ravens’ win over the Rams on Monday night, is -200 and Wilson is +270 at FanDuel.

So, Thomas’ MVP candidacy is certainly an NFL betting longshot. But it’s not impossible.

Case For Michael Thomas As NFL MVP

Many people around the league have been talking about Thomas as a potential MVP candidate. His season, on its own merit, is as impressive as the seasons Wilson and Jackson are having. In fact, Thomas is having one of the greatest seasons by any receiver in the history of the game.

He has 104 catches in 11 games. Thomas, a fourth-season product from Ohio State, is one pace to catch 151 passes. The NFL single-season reception record is 143, set by Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison.

Thomas, who offers great size (6 feet 3, 212 pounds) and speed, is averaging 9.4 catches a game. It is remarkable that an NFL receiver is nearly registering double-digit receptions every game.

The NFL is full of great receivers and the passing game is at its zenith in league history. But Thomas is a cut above this season. The Saints star is on pace for 1,806 receiving yards, which would be third most in a single season in league history.

What Thomas is doing is elite and it could be the best overall season by an NFL receiver. At +10000 he offers a great value.

New Orleans is also winning. The Saints are 9-2, so Thomas’ production is resulting in victories. MVP voters will take notice of that.

Thomas and the Saints are in the national spotlight this week as they finish the Thanksgiving night slate on Thursday night at the Atlanta Falcons.

A huge game by Thomas, as he climbs closer to the single-season reception record, in front of a captive audience would also help his MVP case.

At +10000, he is worth the lottery-ticket bet.


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About the Author

Bill Williamson for Bookies.com
Bill Williamson
NFL reporter Bill Williamson, who has more two decades of experience covering the NFL, including with ESPN, covers the NFL, the NFL Draft, the AFC West and the Raiders.