Updated NFL Player Awards Odds and Expert Betting Predictions

by Ryan Cobbett - 1/2/2026

Updated NFL player awards odds expert predictions Drake Maye New England Patriots

With just one week remaining in the regular season, the player awards are soon to be decided. We have seen great years from Trevor Lawrence, Josh Allen, and even Caleb Williams, Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye have been in a league of their own. We have seen teams like Seattle, New England, and Jacksonville have big time turnaround seasons led by their coaches, exceeding expectations. Some awards have been decided, we just have to run through another week of games, but there are some players and coaches who need to have another big performance in order to cement their worth for the award.

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MVP

The league’s MVP award is down to just a two-horse race. Drake Maye is the heavy favorite at -340, with Matthew Stafford the only close opponent with +280 odds. Stafford ranks second in the league in passing yards with 4,448 and only needs 35 more yards than Dak Prescott to finish with the league lead. He has a league best 42 touchdowns and has only thrown eight interceptions so far this season. Maye on the other hand ranks fourth in the league with 4,203 passing yards, third in passing touchdowns with 30, and he only has eight interceptions thrown. Now the two biggest factors that separate the two is Maye has a league best 71.7% CMP%, and he has 411 more rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns more than Stafford. Maye’s two-dimensional impact propels him as the favorite to win the league MVP, and deservedly so. He is a big reason why the New England Patriots have returned to playoff contention. This is Maye’s award.

My Pick: Drake Maye, -340

Coach of the Year

This is the closest award out of all the league’s awards. Kyle Shanahan is ever so slightly the odds-on favorite to take home the award at +100. Mike Vrabel trails him closely at +110, with Mike MacDonald (+650), Liam Coen (+2200), and Ben Johnson (+2500) closing out the Top Five. Shanahan has a chance to lead his 49ers to a seven-win difference between this year and last, and his squad still has a chance to claim the NFC West. Vrabel has led his Patriots to an AFC East Division crown after New England finished last in the division in 2024. A win this weekend would mean a 10-win improvement in just a year’s time. The Patriots lead the AFC with a +142-point differential, and they are undefeated on the road this season. While MacDonald, Coen, and Johnson have had notable seasons leading their squads to the playoffs, Shanahan and Vrabel’s impacts are a tier above. If the Patriots win this weekend, I expect Vrabel to surpass Shanahan, especially if the Rams are able to clinch the division.

My Pick: Mike Vrabel, +110

Offensive Player of the Year

The Offensive Player of the Year award is headed out west with the Top Three players in contention for this award, all haling from the NFC West. Jaxson Smith-Njigba (-380) is the favorite to bring this award home after the regular season ends, with Christian McCaffery (+380), and Puka Nacua (+1400) trailing. Smith-Njigba leads the NFL in receiving yards with 1,709, while also recording 10 touchdowns this season, and averaging 15.1 yards per reception. Nacua is second with 1,639 receiving yards, and he has nine receiving touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. He also ranks third in the NFL in YAC (635). McCaffery has over 2,000 all-purpose yards this season, and has 17 total touchdowns, so it is no surprise to see him with the second-best odds. While McCaffery has a solid claim, Smith-Njigba transformed the Seahawks offense and lead back to the playoffs.

My Pick: Jaxson Smith-Njigba, -380

Defensive Player of the Year

There was not a lot to like about the Browns season this year. They are 4-12 entering the final week of the season. However, there is no denying how strong Myles Garrett’s presence has been this season. He has claimed the Defensive Player of the Year award this season, as he has -20000 odds to win, thanks to a historic season. First and foremost, he is just one sack away from breaking the all-time single season sack record. He has 22 sacks through the first 16 games of the season, while also adding a league best 32 TFL’s (second most all-time in a single season). Garrett is also two tackles away from setting a career high in tackles, and he has three forced fumbles and one pass deflection to add to his season stat sheet.

My Pick: Myles Garrett, -20000

Offensive Rookie of the Year

The Offensive Rookie of the Year is a tight race as well heading into the final week of the regular season. The two with the best claims to the award is Tetairoa McMillan (-135) and Tyler Shough (+150). McMillan has appeared in every game so far and has recorded 929 receiving yards this season with seven touchdowns. Shough had a late start to his season, and he has limited action as a result, but he did manage to finish the season with 2,125 passing yards and 11 total touchdowns. However, he has had six turnovers. Unless he has an out of this world performance this weekend, McMillan will deservingly win this award.

My Pick: Tetairoa McMillan (-135)

Defensive Rookie of the Year

The Cleveland Browns have had an abysmal season thanks to uncertainty under center, and a lot of holes around their roster. One area they have filled for the years to come is linebacker with the dominance of Carson Schwesinger in his rookie season. Schwesinger is the heavy favorite to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award (-750) after an incredible season. He is tied fifth in the league with 156 total tackles, while adding 2.5 sacks, 11 TFL’s, three pass deflections, and two interceptions. This second rounder did his job at an elite level this season and will be cornerstone of this defense for the years to come.

My Pick: Carson Schwesinger, -750

Comeback Player of the Year

This one is a one-man race, and they are already etching his name on the trophy. McCaffery is the obvious winner of the Comeback Player of the Year award for this season. After having his season cut short to just four games thanks to an injury, McCaffery has returned to action with a healthy season in which he returned to the 1,000 rushing yard club, while also adding 890 receiving yards, the second highest mark of his career. He has totaled 17 touchdowns, with just two fumbles. McCaffery was an MVP of Fantasy leagues and is going to be named the winner of this award.

My Pick: Christian McCaffery, -2500

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Start:	January 3, 2026 @ 3:30 PM
Expert:	Tony George
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