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Sean Payton Favored to Win NFL Coach of the Year, Shanahan Given +280 Odds

David Golokhov

by David Golokhov in NFL Football

Updated Apr 1, 2020 · 12:11 PM PDT

Sean Payton on the practice field
Sean Payton is the current favorite to win the Head Coach of the Year Award. Photo by Vamostigres (Wiki Commons) [CCLicense]
  • Sean Payton’s Coach of the Year odds are twice as short as any other coach
  • Payton’s Saints lead the NFC South at 7-1 and went 5-0 without starting QB Drew Brees
  • Kyle Shanahan is the second-favorite, but his 8-0 Niners have played a soft schedule (22-40-1 opponent record)

As we move into Week 10 of the NFL season, we’ve got a clearer picture of who the NFL’s Coach of the Year candidates are. There’s still a long way to go but right now, Sean Payton is the leader in the clubhouse.

Is he the best bet or is there more value with some of the other names on the board?

2019 NFL Coach Of The Year Odds

Player Odds
Sean Payton (NO) +130
Kyle Shanahan (SF) +280
Frank Reich (IND) +325
Bill Belichick (NE) +550
Pete Carroll (SEA) +1600
Sean McDermott (BUF) +1600

Odds taken Nov. 4.

Kitchens No Longer On The List

One of the most interesting aspects of these odds is the fact that Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens isn’t even on the board. When we started the season, he was the +650 favorite to earn this honor. Instead, he’s among the favorites to be fired next as the Browns are just 2-6.

Payton Favored To Win It

It’s no surprise to see Payton at the top of this list as his Saints are 7-1 with their only loss coming at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams when Drew Brees suffered his shoulder injury mid-game.

Payton and company navigated that injury as well as possible as Teddy Bridgewater led the team on a five-game winning streak.

What’s more impressive here is that the Saints have looked like a complete team – not just a one-sided, offensive juggernaut. The defense is among the best in the business. They enter the week fourth in the NFL in yards allowed and 10th in points allowed.

Kyle Shanahan Should Be Favored Right Now

Although Payton has done a remarkable job with the Saints, Kyle Shanahan should be favored right now given what he’s done with the San Francisco 49ers. They’re the NFL’s last undefeated team at 8-0, which is an incredible turnaround from last season when the team went 4-12.

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The difference here is that the Saints have pedigree while many experts still have their doubts about the 49ers. They have played a bit of an easy schedule as the combined record of their opponents is 22-40-1. We’re going to learn a lot more about them in the coming weeks when they play Seattle, Green Bay, Baltimore and New Orleans.

However, it is worth noting that the 49ers have played just three home games so far – tied for the fewest in the NFL. That means five of their final eight games are at home where they should have an edge.

What’s The Best Bet?

This award likely comes down to remaining schedules and who wins the Week 14 matchup between New Orleans and San Francisco. The Saints host that Week 14 matchup and have a much easier schedule the rest of the way. They’re going to be sizable favorites the next four weeks up until that Week 14 contest.

After that, they’ll host Indianapolis, visit Tennessee and visit Carolina. I only see about one – maybe two – losses on the calendar for them. As for the 49ers, I do expect them to get tripped up in New Orleans and one other spot. That should eventually lead to the Saints earning the top seed in the NFC and Payton winning Coach of the Year.

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