Will AP be the rushing champ?
LAS VEGAS, NV (The Spread) – Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings is projected to win the rushing title in the NFL in 2014. Is he a good bet to cash in for bettors?
I certainly understand why AP is the lined favorite given his resume and team situation. However, there are several other running backs worthy of consideration that offer far better odds as well.
The NFL as a whole has seen the importance of the RB position diminished in recent years with far more teams throwing the ball as opposed to keeping it on the ground. Only the 49ers last season ran the ball more than they threw it and they did it with a stable of solid running backs led by Frank Gore.
So, what I truly believe is that you will see this season is far greater increase in receiving yards, which will be partially offset by a reduction in rushing yards. The ability of nearly every NFL team to successfully run the ball and use that ground attack as the dominant offensive force is going the way of the dinosaur. Actually, it has already.
So, let’s take a look at some other interesting money making prop bets. The top 5 are Peterson now at 4/1, LeSean McCoy at 9/2, Jamaal Charles at 7/1, Marshawn Lynch at 12/1, and Alfred Morris at 16/1. It’s Morris that I strongly believe represents your best prop bet for the 2014 season. He will be the featured back in offense that will need to have a pounding physical ground attack. The dominant reason is not just to move the chains, but to give their under sized QB protection and not force him to make plays in third-and-long situations. Last season, RG3 was running for his life in the majority of third down situations. A strong and steady dose of Morris will make RG3 a far better field general in 2014.
A long shot I like that offers a great payback is Giovani Bernard of the Bengals. He is lined at 33/1 at Bovada Sports. I agree that he may not win this award, but he is in a great situation to be in the Top-5 at season end. As we know, injuries have become a big part of the NFL and especially to running backs. So, never wishing injury to anyone, but it is quite reasonable to presume that several of those aforementioned Top-5 will not play in all 16 games this season.
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