Despite a virtual offseason so far, the NFL is expecting the 2020 season to be played as usual in its entirety. PA online sportsbooks are following the league’s cue.
The NFL Draft and the NFL schedule release only added to the options for futures markets and prop bets.
However, there is one noticeable market missing in Pennsylvania: Coach of the Year.
2020 NFL Coach of the Year odds
At William Hill in New Jersey, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is the 17/2 favorite for Coach of the Year. Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians has the second best odds at 12/1.
Belichick claimed the award in 2003, 2007 and 2010. His dog, Nike, was seem helping him make picks during this year’s draft. If the Pats make the playoffs without Tom Brady and rookies contribute, it would only add to his genius that he possibly reworked a roster with the help of a dog.
Four other coaches at William Hill have 14/1 odds:
- Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers
- Frank Reich, Indianapolis
- Kliff Kingsbury, Arizona Cardinals
- Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson is 22/1 and Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is 25/1.
FanDuel Coach of the Year odds
Last year, John Harbaugh won Coach of the Year after leading the Baltimore Ravens to a league-best and franchise-record 14-2.
It was the first time Harbaugh claimed the honor. Kyle Shanahan (San Francisco 49ers) and Matt LaFleur (Green Bay Packers) finished second and third respectively in voting.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin also received votes.
No NFL Coach of the Year at PA Sportsbooks
You can not wager on NFL Coach of the Year in Pennsylvania.
The reason is the same as why you aren’t able to bet on the NFL Draft or the Gatorade color poured on the winning coach at the Super Bowl.
The state’s gaming law allows sportsbook wagers only on professional or collegiate athletic events. A rep from DraftKings confirmed our suspicions.
If the bet isn’t determined by the play between the lines, it’s not going be on the menu at sportsbooks in PA. It’s understandable that Gatorade isn’t a betting option. But the Coach of the Year award is determined by a team’s play on the field. Seems like a good argument the operators could make.
New Jersey sportsbooks do offer Coach of the Year betting, however, so some Pennsylvanians may choose to take a drive to bet on it if they wish.
Tampa Bay getting majority of Super Bowl LV handle
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers opened at +5,000 after Super Bowl 54. Their odds quickly changed during the NFL offseason.
- +4,000: When the rumors began about Tom Brady going to the Bucs.
- +2,000: When Brady signed.
- +1,600: March 24
- The Bucs completed a trade for New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski on April 22.
- +1,200: Current Buccaneers Super Bowl odds
The Buccaneers have received the largest percentage of handle and bets placed at DraftKings to win Super Bowl LV.
Steelers and Eagles have favorable strength of schedule
Over/under win totals for Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers for 2020 season:
FanDuel:
- Eagles: Over/under 9.5
- Steelers: Over/under 9
DraftKings:
- Eagles: Over/under 9.5
- Steelers: Over/under 8.5
- Eagles: Over/under 9.5
- Steelers: 8.5
Based on strength of schedule, the Steelers have the second-easiest.
Brady and Murray early MVP favorites
FanDuel’s Director of Publicity Kevin Hennessy said Tom Brady and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray have received the most interest in the 2020 NFL MVP betting market.
- Brady has 19% of the early handle and Murray has 15%. No one else is in double digits in early betting.
- Murray has 11% of the bet count followed by Brady with 10%. Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz has 8%.
- The biggest odds movers for NFL MVP are Murray who went from +4,400 to +2,600 and Brady who went from +2,600 to +1,800.
