Sam Darnold or Joe Burrow- Who is favorite to win comeback player of the year?
Sam Darnold became a betting favorite on many sportsbooks to win the Comeback Player of the Year 2024, surpassing Joe Burrow.
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Sam Darnold and Joe Burrow (Via talkSPORT/Imago)
With 4,641 yards and 42 touchdowns, Joe Burrow may not be leading the NFL MVP race, but he sure had been the betting favorite to win the Comeback Player of the Year– until now. This week has brought along a name that has surpassed the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback for the award and it’s none other than the Minnesota Vikings’ Sam Darnold.
Up until now, the Associated Press has awarded the Comeback Player of the Year to players returning from any injury or illness. However, in October 2024, they revisited this policy and modified it with the inclusion of those players returning from a poor play. Hence, Darnold found himself betting favorites on many sportsbooks.
DraftKings for instance placed Darnold with -135 odds of winning the award, whereas Burrow is competing below him with +135 odds.
Darnold’s turnaround this season has been jaw-dropping as the Vikings aim for home-field advantage in the playoffs and NFC North division title with a 14-2 record, heading for the final showdown against the Detroit Lions.
Sam Darnold is now the favorite for Comeback Player of the Year. #InSamWeTrust pic.twitter.com/8WWfRofwmD
— PowerTripBets (@PowerTripBets) January 3, 2025
However, the competition between Burrow and Darnold remains tricky. Given that the Bengals may not be going to the playoffs, the star quarterback is the NFL yards and touchdown leader. Meanwhile, the Vikings, after clinching the playoff berth, have their quarterback ranked fourth with 4,153 yards and the fifth-highest 35 touchdowns.
Burrow would have no competition if he succeeded in clinching the playoff berth for the Bengals with a victory in Week 18 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, his chance would be turned down nominally if he fails and the Vikings win the Week 18 game to clinch not just the No. 1 seed in the NFC but a home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
Joe Burrow draws comparisons to Tom Brady as MVP debate heats up
Even though the Bengals are on the verge of having another year of the playoff drought, the Pro Bowl signal-caller has been a constant subject of conversation for all the right reasons. Ahead of the crucial Week 18 matchup, he has been compared to the winningest quarterback of all time, Tom Brady.
Burrow is one of three players all time to throw for 4,500 yards, 40 passing touchdowns, fewer than 10 interceptions in a single season. Who else did that? Tom Brady in 2007. Aaron Rodgers in 2011. You know the thing that they had? They both won it. They both won the MVP.
Cam Newton said on ESPN’s NFL Countdown: Special Edition
Even though he's putting up MVP numbers, @JoeyB's team needs a win, & help, to get into the postseason
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) January 4, 2025
On Sat.'s NFL Countdown: Special Edition (3p ET, ESPN, ABC), @CameronNewton chats w/the @Bengals QB to talk about what’s at stake in Wk. 18, the MVP race & of course, fashion pic.twitter.com/rNtLFnPAML
Burrow has become a focal point in the MVP debate regarding whether he should receive the award. If the Bengals secure the playoff berth by handling the Steelers their fourth loss in a row, his chances of winning would significantly increase.
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Pratyusha Srivastava
(2078 Articles Published)