The 2016 NFL season is around the corner, so it’s time to get ready, check the NFL odds and place your bet. There’s some good value on the board, especially if you’re betting the offensive categories. Here’s a closer look at the rookie, receiving, rushing and passing favourites.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Last year, Toddy Gurley had some mild competition from quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota for the rookie award, but it looks like Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (EVEN) won’t be challenged as much. Elliott, playing behind one of the best offensive lines in football, has flashed blazing speed and some impressive power in the preseason. Assuming he stays healthy, he should cruise to 1000+ yards and a handful of touchdowns.
Second in line, No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff (+700), shouldn’t present too much of a challenge. He’s struggled in the preseason and won’t be starting in Week 1.
Receiving Leader
Two players pulled away from the crowd in the receiving race last season: Julio Jones, who finished with 1,871 yards and Antonio Brown, who finished with 1,834 yards. It’s no surprise that this duo is favoured to lead the league in this category once again.
Brown (+200) was a monster down the stretch of the season, averaging 10.5 receptions and 139.5 yards per game. If he somehow kept that up for a full season, he’d break the all-time regular season receiving record currently held by Calvin Johnson (1,964). As for Jones (+300), he led the NFL in targets last year with 204 and figures to get fed as much as he can handle once again this season.
Rushing Leader
Adrian Peterson (+400) and Gurley (+500) are the top two competitors to finish with the most rushing yards this season. Gurley finished with just 1,106 rushing yards last season, but he only played 13 games. Had he handled the same amount of carries as Peterson last season (327), he’d have finished with about 1,570 yards. Peterson is now 31 years old, and while running backs over the age of 30 are usually risky, he’s an exception to the rule. He’s rushed for at least 1,266 yards in seven of his nine seasons.
Passing Leader
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (+300) led the NFL with 4,870 passing yards last season and is favoured to do it again in 2016. He’s shown no signs of slowing down, having averaged 311.75 passing yards in his final eight games in last year’s campaign.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (+600) is right behind Brees on the odds board, but Roethlisberger will be without wide receiver Martavis Bryant, who’s suspended for a season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Big Ben has averaged 331.2 passing yards in 22 career games with Bryant, but those numbers dip to 269 in his last 22 games without Bryant.
San Diego Chargers starter, Philip Rivers (+800), who finished second in passing yards last season, is also worth consideration. He should have an improved cast around him this year, including a healthy Keenan Allen.
*Odds as of August 30, 2016