Titans Player Props: Mariota for MVP?
Wagering on NFL games is just one aspect of sports betting because Vegas and the online sportsbooks offer hundreds of player props for the upcoming season. Let’s take a look at a few being dealt on two stars of the Tennessee Titans.
Derrick Henry – Total Rushing Yards 2018
Over 874½ Yards -135
Under 874½ Yards +105
Some believe that the addition of former Patriot Dion Lewis to the Titans’ roster will vulture carries and rushing yards from the bruising Heisman winner from Alabama, which is true to some extent. But let’s take a look at a similar situation that occurred in 2016 with Lewis and LeGarrette Blount in the New England backfield. Blount is a punishing rusher like Henry but at six-feet tall Blount is three inches shorter and was not then, nor was he ever, as talented as the 24-year-old Henry.
In 2016, Lewis played seven games and in those contests Blount averaged 69 yards on an average of 16 plus carries per game, sharing rushing duties with the elusive scat-back. If we project 69 yards per game for Henry throughout a 16-game season we see that equals 1,104 yards and well above what the NFL oddsmakers are dealing on him this season. And let’s not forget that Henry accrued 744 yards on 176 carries last season but played behind DeMarco Murray throughout most of 2017 until it became apparent that Henry was the better option. The Titans ran the ball over 45 percent of the time, which ranked them sixth in the league in that category last season and we see Henry playing a bigger role this year with increased numbers as he won’t be playing second fiddle from the get-go.
Make sure to click over to Sportsbook Review, the bettors’ bible, featuring current lines from the best online sportsbooks in the world to get props on players, teams and just about anything else you can think of as we head into the 2018 NFL season.
Marcus Mariota – Total Passing Yards 2018
Over 3450½ Yards -110
Under 3450½ Yards -120
Mariota has yet to play a full season in his three years under center for the Titans. In 2017, he suited up for 15 games but had his worst year as a pro with 3,232 yards passing and 13 touchdowns against 15 interceptions. But we look at that season as an aberration for the talented Mariota, and Tennessee will welcome a new offensive coordinator, Matt LaFleur formerly the Rams’ offensive coordinator who should bring more pop to what had become a stale and predictable offense under former OC Terry Robiskie.
Let’s also understand that Delanie Walker and Rishard Matthews are two potent receivers with the ability to carve up defenses and expand Mariota’s numbers. There is another under-the-radar option for Mariota in the form of the fifth overall pick in the 2017 draft, wide receiver Corey Davis. The 23-year-old Western Michigan product has a tremendous ceiling despite what was less than a stellar rookie campaign. In addition, Lewis is a pass-catching threat out of the backfield whom didn’t have last year. All Mariota needs, assuming he stays healthy, is just a tiny bump over his 2016 stats when he passed for 3,426 yards. We believe he’ll do it. So don’t delay, check out Sportsbook Review and find the best line available on a prop that will make you money at season’s end.
Odds to Win the 2018 Regular Season MVP Award – Why not Mariota?
If you’re a Tennessee fan then you know there’s hope. If you’re not, then this seems like a highly unlikely choice to wrest the MVP crown away from Tom Brady or outduel luminaries like Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, etc. But isn’t time for a changing of the guard? Brady is 41, Brees is 39 and Rodgers is a beaten-up, soon-to-be 35 years old. One of the young guns will emerge sooner or later and we say, why not Marcus?
Mariota is a dual threat who is adept at passing and can move the chains with his legs. He is capable of a phenomenal season and if the Titans improve upon their 9-7 record, then Mariota will be rendered much of the glory that goes along with it. Steve McNair, circa 2003, is the only Oliler/Titan QB to ever win the AP NFL MVP award (Warren Moon won a different version in 1990) but it could happen this season. We see the best online sportsbooks dealing Mariota at +4000 which makes him a middle-of-the-pack choice amongst the preseason candidates, but at those odds isn’t Mariota worth a look?