This is the time of the NFL season when our pockets are full of money and we are optimistic that we know exactly how things are going to play out. There have not yet been any big surprises, disappointments, or upsets. We are the kings of the world. We might as well take advantage of our confidence and optimism to make as many bets as we can. As good a place as any to start is by betting on the NFL MVP. This award runs reasonably true to form - the best player from one of the best teams will take home the hardware. That makes it reasonably easy to handicap. Here's a look. (all NFL MVP odds are from Bodog)

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The favorite

Tom Brady (4/1) - At first glance it may be a bit surprising that Brady gets the nod as favorite over two-time winner Peyton Manning or defending champion LaDainian Tomlinson. It makes sense, though. The Pats are completely loaded, and Brady has the best receiving corps he has ever had as a pro. That should boost his passing stats noticeably. It seems hard to believe given everything else he has accomplished that Brady has never been MVP. He's extremely popular and well liked, so the voters could be more inclined to give it to him if it's close. Brady is a clear favorite, but if you don't like the price then rest assured that he can be beat.

His closest rivals

Peyton Manning (5/1) - Manning hasn't won the award since 2004. He seems determined to have a strong year this season, and he was extremely effective in the preseason. To win, Manning and the Colts would obviously have to have a very good year. That could be challenging given both the losses and defections that the team suffered in the offseason and the potential for a letdown after the success of last year. Manning will almost certainly have huge stats, but the question is whether it will be enough, and whether the Colts can win enough games to help him out. He's obviously a legitimate contender, but 5/1 doesn't provide a ton of value in my eyes.

LaDainian Tomlinson (5/1) - The biggest thing standing in the way of a repeat for Tomlinson is Tomlinson himself. His year last season was so phenomenally good that it will be very hard for him to have the same type of year this season. Though he could take a pretty significant step back and still be the best back in the league, he will suffer in comparison to himself if his numbers don't quite match up. You could argue that Philip Rivers will be more confident thanks to his experience, which could lead to more players being involved in the offense and fewer touches for Tomlinson. It's also quite possible that the Chargers will lose a couple more games than they did last year, and that will hurt LT's cause, too. 5/1 seems about right for his chances of winning.

Intriguing value

Drew Brees (10/1) - There are people that have a better shot, but Brees is a bit of a steal at this price. He's at the helm of an incredibly potent offense designed to pile up the points, so his stats will be great. His team plays in a weak conference, and they have a good chance of being the best team of the bunch. The story both of the team and of the player are excellent ones, and the public is cheering for his success. If the Saints can find a way to win 12 games or so then Brees will be a serious contender.

Larry Johnson (10/1) - His case is impeded somewhat by the fact that he missed camp and will reportedly be eased into regular season action. That could hurt his early season stats. He should be able to overcome that, though, because he is going to see a ton of touches. His team's quarterbacking situation is questionable (and that's being polite), so Johnson is by far the best chance the team has of putting up some points. He'll be hurt badly by the likely terrible overall performance of his team, but he has the chance to put together big enough numbers to overcome that impediment. I'd like him better at 15/1, but he's worth a look at this price.

If you are enjoying this article be sure to check out our NFL Preseason Betting page. If you plan on betting NFL you'll also want to read our NFL Division Winner Predictions page. Our Eliminator Pool page is also a valuable tool for your NFL research. For 35+ years the team at Doc's Sports Service has provided and insight on NFL handicapping.

Interesting longshots

Steven Jackson (15/1) - Consistently a top three back, this may be the year that Jackson makes a breakthrough. His offense will put up a lot of points, and Jackson will get his chances to carry. He certainly has the talent. He certainly presents value when his price is compared to the other top backs on this list.

Reggie Bush (16/1) - You have to think that Bush is going to win an award at some point, so maybe this is the year. It's very likely that this is the best price you will ever see him at. We have seen other players break through in their second season, and Bush has the obvious potential to put up huge numbers. He will get all sorts of attention whatever he does, he is in an offense that will give him ample opportunities, he will run and catch passes, and he will certainly have several highlight reel plays to get voters' attention. It's probably too early for him, but it may be worth a look.

Willis McGahee (18/1) - Baltimore was a very good team last year, and they needed a running back to be even better. McGahee is a world-class back, and he will have the benefit of an excellent line and an offense that will let him be the star. This could be a recipe for a breakout season.