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NFL Comeback Player of the Year Predictions with Betting Odds

by Mike Allen - 8/3/2023

NFL Comeback Player of the Year predictions Damar Hamlin Buffalo Bills

There is nothing like predicting the future, right?

I love it! It is a neverending challenge and an ever-evolving one. ESP>ESPN, always.

Today, I want to discuss the betting odds for the next NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

Wait until you see these betting odds, guys. There is betting value on a few of these candidates, but the favorite is uncharacteristiclly juiced to the gills. The guy doesn't even have a plus-money number next to his name.

Who do you think it is?

I don't want to insult your intelligence, but let's just say it isn't DeShaun Watson. His name popped into my head first, only to fall out even faster. We all know why over 30 women accused the guy of misconduct. The NFL isn't going to give him any sentimental awards.

Besides the betting favorite, who else are candidates to win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year?

Russell Wilson's name is up there. Boy, did his reputation take a shellacking this past season. It doesn't appear that things can get much worse for my fellow Virginian in Denver, so I do see a bounce-back season on tap for the former Super Bowl winner.

The NFL Comeback Player of the Year is usually a quarterback. There are some big names with long odds to win the award. These include Lamar Jackson and Matt Stafford. The former never really fell off. Stafford, though, caught my attention for a bet.

Here are the betting odds for the clear favorite and the underdogs to win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

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Betting Odds to Win NFL Comeback Player of the Year

Damar Hamlin: -400

Russell Wilson: +1000

John Metchie: +1000

Sam Darnold: +1000

Matthew Stafford: +1800

Lamar Jackson: +2200

Baker Mayfield: +3300

What can we do with (-400)?

Nothing. That betting line carries an implied probability of 80%. It isn't something we are used to seeing in this situation. I know you're thinking there is no longer an intelligent bet here, but there is value on some of these quarterbacks.

We usually need something out of the ordinary to happen for us to cash a (+1000) or (+1800) wager anyway. So, let's throw a few bucks down on each guy to put together a comeback season for the ages.

We know both guys are capable, but we also know all the negative things former teammates have said about Wilson. I can only speak on the narrative that he is a jerk and a bad teammate. That's why he is struggling now.

It's not as bad as Watson's story, but bad enough. When there is a guy whose heart stopped beating along with an LA quarterback coming off of a spinal injury, you're not winning, Russ.

Sam Darnold's name is up there, but we don't even know if he will be the Week 1 starter for San Francisco. There is no sentimental story, either.

Lamar Jackson is an option for us as well at 22-1. He hasn't fallen behind far enough for this season to be a comeback. He got the contract. That was his big win, especially considering his struggles in the playoffs, but I digress.

I would bet Damar Hamlin up to (-250), but that is my limit on moneyline bets in any sport. That ship has sailed, though, so let's play the guy who we think is the next likeliest candidate.

His odds pay out significantly better than the 25 bucks we would make off a 100-dollar wager on Hamlin.

Give me the athlete who has only ever had one bad season, and it was a because of a spinal contusion. I am no back expert, but I have had thousands of contusions, and they generally improve over time.

Stafford had a scary enough injury to warrant the sentiments. However, hopefully not one that will notably limit him for the remainder of his once-promising career.

Pick: Matthew Stafford (+1800)

In Conclusion

The writing is on the wall. Your betting favorite is (-400), and the next player down the list is a 10-1 underdog to win the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year.

I'm not at all hating on what they want to do. It's a miracle the man is still alive, and I can't even think of the words to describe how incredible it is that he can even step onto a competitive football field again.

We are betting, though, so let's take the value on Matthew Stafford in this spot. We made a solid case to choose him above the others. That's all we need to do for an 18-1 long shot.

Cheers to a good season and no more situations like we saw early this year with Hamlin.

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