Philip Rivers’ 2018 NFL MVP Odds Take a Hit with Henry Injury
By Matt McEwan in NFL Football
Updated: January 6, 2023 at 6:49 am ESTPublished:
- Is it still worth betting Philip Rivers to win the 2018 NFL MVP without Hunter Henry all year?
- How did the odds change in light of the injury?
- Who are the top contenders to win the 2018 NFL MVP?
As if the Los Angeles Chargers haven’t already suffered enough bad luck over the past few years, they will now enter the 2018 NFL season without one of their budding offensive weapons, Hunter Henry.
It was confirmed earlier this week that the 23-year-old tight end suffered a season-ending torn ACL on the first day of OTAs. Not exactly the start the Chargers were hoping for as they prepare to head into the season as the favorites to win the AFC West – a feat they have not accomplished since 2009.
While Henry’s season-ending injury doesn’t seem to be affecting the Chargers’ odds to win Super Bowl 53, it has harmed Philip Rivers’ odds to win the 2018 NFL MVP.
Philip Rivers’ 2018 NFL MVP Odds
Rivers’ average odds went from +1800 on May 11th to +2200 on May 23rd, following the Henry injury. The longer odds have pulled the 36-year-old out of the top ten contenders for the award, too.
It’s not difficult to understand why online betting sites are skeptical Rivers can have an MVP-caliber season without Henry. In two seasons in the NFL, having to play behind Antonio Gates in both, Henry has totaled 1,057 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. And entering 2018, he was going to play a major role in the offense with the Chargers having moved on from Gates.
In two seasons in the NFL, Henry has totaled 1,057 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns
Rivers will still have the services of his favorite receiver Keenan Allen, who hauled in 102 balls in 2017 for 1,393 receiving yards and six TDs – all team highs. Throw in Tyrell Williams and a fully-healthy Mike Williams, who started last season on the PUP and was never able to catch up, and the seven-time Pro Bowl QB will still have a fair amount of weapons around him.
If you are still looking to bet Rivers to win the 2018 NFL MVP, you can still get him at +2500.
Top 10 2018 NFL MVP Contenders
If you want to put your money elsewhere, here are the top ten contenders with their odds.
| Player | Team | 2018 NFL MVP Odds 1 | 2018 NFL MVP Odds 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Rodgers | GB | +600 | +400 |
| Tom Brady | NE | +750 | +450 |
| Carson Wentz | PHI | +1000 | +450 |
| Drew Brees | NO | +1200 | +1000 |
| Russell Wilson | SEA | +1200 | +1200 |
| Matt Ryan | ATL | +1800 | +1600 |
| Cam Newton | CAR | +1800 | +1600 |
| Kirk Cousins | MIN | +1800 | +1600 |
| Jimmy Garoppolo | SF | +2000 | +1600 |
| Deshaun Watson | HOU | +2000 | +1800 |
Before you make any wagers, though, check in with our 2018 NFL MVP Odds Tracker for the most recent odds and the trends you need to know.
Editor-in-Chief; Sports Betting Expert
With nearly a decade working in the industry, Matt is a seasoned sports betting veteran. He got his start with SBD in 2016 and worked his way up the ladder to become the Editor-in-Chief. Along the way he has done everything from reviewing sportsbooks to creating proprietary sports betting tools.
