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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers ended the 2010 NFL season as the Super Bowl MVP, and Rodgers opens the 2011 campaign as the odds-on favorite to win his first regular-season MVP award. He is 11/2 to win it on Bodog’s NFL player props.

Rodgers was superb last regular season, throwing for 3,922 yards (seventh in the NFL) with 28 touchdowns (tied for sixth) and 11 interceptions in leading Green Bay to a 10-6 record and an NFC wild-card spot. Rodgers missed almost two full games because of a concussion suffered early in the Packers’ Week 14 loss in Detroit. He returned just in the nick of time, as Green Bay faced a must-win in Week 16 against the New York Giants. All Rodgers did in that game was throw for a season-high 404 yards and four touchdowns in Green Bay’s blowout victory.

Rodgers capped a dream season by completing 24 of 39 passes for 304 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions to lead the Packers to a 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers for Green Bay's first NFL title since Brett Favre's in the January 1997 Super Bowl. Of course Favre is a three-time winner of the NFL MVP award, with his last one coming in the 1997 season. No Packer has come close to winning it since. Rodgers has a terrific stable of receivers in Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and Jordy Nelson as well as one of the top receiving tight ends in football in Jermichael Finley, who was lost for season last year in Green Bay’s fifth game. Rodgers won’t turn 28 until December so he should be just hitting his prime years.

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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady made history last season in becoming the first player ever to be named NFL Most Valuable Player by unanimous selection. It was Brady’s second career MVP award. Can he join Brett Favre and Peyton Manning this season as the NFL’s only three-time winners of the award (Manning has four)? Brady is the second-favorite on Bodog’s NFL player props at 13/2.

Brady won his other MVP award (he remains the only Patriot to ever win) when he set an NFL record with 50 touchdown passes in leading the Patriots to an unbeaten regular season and several team offensive records. That year, Brady got 49 of the 50 votes for MVP, with one vote going to Favre.

Although he didn't set nearly as many passing marks as in '07, Brady by far was the league's top performer in leading New England to a 14-2 record, best in the NFL in 2010. He had a record streak of 335 throws without being intercepted, and passed for 36 touchdowns with only four picks. That's the highest ratio touchdown to interception ratio (9.0) in NFL history — surpassing his own record from 2007. Brady twice threw for four touchdowns in a game and four times had three. Twelve times, he had a passer rating of at least 100.

New England was upset in the divisional round of the playoffs by the New York Jets. Brady followed his previous MVP trophy with a lost season, tearing left knee ligaments in the first half of the 2008 opener and missing the rest of the season.

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The Indianapolis Colts haven’t bothered with “Plan B” at quarterback for over a decade, now they’ve hit the panic button.

And nothing says panic like bringing Kerry Collins out of retirement. In his stint in Tennessee, Titans fans unaffectionately called him “K.F.C.” every time he threw one of his signature out-of-bounds bombs when he felt the blitz. We’ll let you figure out what the “F” stands for.

With Manning a coin flip to be ready for the regular season it’s supposed to be the No. 2 QB on the depth chart, Curtis Painter, as the temporary fill in. But he’s posted preseason numbers that make Colts fans wish for the days of NFL exhibitionist Jim Sorgi.

So it will be on Collins if Manning can't go, an NFL elder that hasn’t completed 60 percent of his passes in the last three years despite having opponents focus nine out of 11 defenders on Chris Johnson. It will be on Collins to run one of the most complicated and precise offenses in the NFL.

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Betting Analysis: The only thing slower than Collins in the pocket is his Fathead. The vet was considered immobile when he was in Carolina way back in 1996 and we can only imagine what his mobility will be like with just 10 practices to prepare. If he starts just one game before Manning’s return it could make a difference in the Colts’ total regular season wins — currently listed at 9.5 in the Bodog Sportsbook. And if Collins is in three or four games — Indy plays Houston, an improved Cleveland squad, Pittsburgh, and Tampa Bay the first four weeks of the regular season — we don’t envision a scenario where the offense can even play .500 ball.

In his best year in Tennessee Collins managed just over 2600 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. His role was relegated to handing the ball off to “Smash and Dash” (LenDale White and Johnson) and making the occasional toss on third-and-long. The Colts don’t have nearly the talent at running back or the run-blocking lineman to keep the focus off of Collins. He'll have to throw it, a lot, which doesn't mesh with his aging skill set.

As for Colts odds against the spread, expect them to be a tough find until Manning makes a definitive decision. The Colts’ Week 1 opponent, the Houston Texans, are a division rival that has gone 2-2 ATS against them over the last two seasons. They play Indy tough even with Manning under center, which means it could get ugly with Collins. Oddsmakers won't post lines until they know for sure if Manning's in or out.



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Former Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams, arguably the top free agent left on the market, has decided to sign with the Baltimore Ravens. Williams got a two-year deal worth potentially $4 million.

The Ravens needed some running back depth seeing as the team had cut Le'Ron McLain and Willis McGahee, leaving starter Ray Rice really the only legitimate running back on their roster. Williams should be a good power complement to the elusive Rice. The 34-year-old Williams has 9,565 yards rushing in 131 career games. In 2010, he rushed for 673 yards while sharing carries for the Dolphins with Ronnie Brown. Williams gives the Ravens a quality third-down back, and a guy that they can use in goal line and short-yardage situations. Plus it’s obviously good insurance in case Rice gets injured as the Ravens are going to be a run-heavy club.

After winning the Heisman Trophy at Texas, Williams was the fifth overall pick by the New Orleans Saints in 1999 in one of the most bold moves in draft history. Mike Ditka traded all of the Saints' 1999 draft picks to get Williams, as well as their first and third-round picks in 2000.

In 2002, Williams was traded to Miami for four draft picks, including two first-rounders. In his first season, he led the NFL in rushing with 1,853 yards. He was suspended for the entire 2006 season after the NFL announced he violated its drug policy for the fourth time.

The Ravens open their exhibition campaign this Thursday against Philadelphia.

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Entering last season, the Minnesota Vikings were among the preseason Super Bowl favorites. After all, the Vikes nearly reached the big game in 2009, falling to the New Orleans Saints in overtime of the NFC Championship Game. Brett Favre played at an MVP-type level that year and decided to return for a 20th season in 2010 – everything was in place for a Vikings’ run.

But just about everything that could go run did for Minnesota, largely with Favre, who struggled and found himself injured and on the bench at the end of the season. However, the veteran Vikings think they have one last run in them and traded for Donovan McNabb to hold the fort at QB until 2011 first-round pick Christian Ponder is ready. Can the Vikings make the playoffs? No is at -600 on Bodog’s NFL futures odds with yes at +400.

Most think the Vikings will finish last in the NFC North under new full-time coach Leslie Frazier and in fact they have the longest odds to win the division at +1000. McNabb, 34, threw for 3,377 yards last season but was benched twice by Washington coach Mike Shanahan. McNabb threw more interceptions (15) than touchdown passes (14) for the first time in his career and had his lowest quarterback rating (77.1) since his 1999 debut with the Eagles. It’s not clear what he has left of whether he can stay healthy.

Minnesota will sorely miss departed receiver Sidney Rice, although he was hurt most of last year after a breakout 2009. Former Offensive Rookie of the Year WR Percy Harvin must stay healthy this season. The offense will clearly revolve around star RB Adrian Peterson (1,298 rushing yards, 13 total TDs last year), whose contract is up after this year. So he will be plenty motivated for that huge payday.

The Vikings used to have one of the top defensive lines in the NFL but jettisoned both Pat Williams and Ray Edwards. Of course the other two guys up front, Kevin Williams and Jared Allen, are two of the best in the NFL. The linebacking corps should solid, while the secondary was hit hard by injuries last year and must keep Cedric Griffin healthy for once.

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Coach Lovie Smith and his staff were on the hot seat in Chicago heading into last season, but the Bears surprised many by not only winning the NFC North but also reaching the NFC Championship Game, where they fell short to the rival Packers. Smith’s job should be secure now, but Chicago didn’t really address major deficiencies on the offensive line or at receiver this offseason. Can the Bears repeat as North champs? They are +575 on Bodog’s NFL futures odds, as well as +1400 to win the NFC and +2800 to win the franchise’s second Super Bowl.

Most of the offense is back intact, led by QB Jay Cutler. Of course he was last seen standing on the sideline of the second half of that NFC title game, drawing immense criticism for not playing through what looked like a minor injury (but wasn’t). The Chicago offense improved last season once offensive coordinator Mike Martz emphasized the run more and the Bears have a good one in Matt Forte. They also brought in former Cowboy Marion Barber as a power complement to Forte.

At receiver, Chicago is hoping that another former Cowboy, Roy Williams, can play like he did under Martz in Detroit. But Williams was a bust in Dallas and didn’t look good this preseason. The good news is that Devin Hester is starting to resemble a No. 1 threat and of course remains unparalleled as a kick returner (he will likely only do punts in 2011). The problem is that the offensive line allowed by far the most sacks in the NFL last year – Cutler went down nine times in a half vs. the Giants and suffered a concussion – and not a lot has changed. Former All-Pro center Olin Kreutz was let go and 2011 first-round pick Gabe Carimi will start at right tackle. Otherwise it’s mostly the same group of players from last season.

The Bears still have Pro Bowl linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs on defense, but they like much of that unit are starting to age. Julius Peppers was dominating in his first season in Chicago last season and the Bears are hoping to get him help up front by acquiring former Top-10 pick Amobi Okoye, formerly of Houston. Three of four starters are back in the secondary, which is very reliant on No. 1 cornerback Charles Tillman. An injury to “Peanut” could be devastating.

On Bodog’s NFL futures prop on whether the Bears will make the playoffs again this year, no is at -305 while yes is +275.

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No player has won more NFL Most Valuable Player awards than Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. Can the future Hall of Famer extend his record with a fifth award this season? He opened as the fifth-favorite on Bodog’s NFL player props odds at 10/1.

The question right now, however, is whether Manning will be ready to start the regular season. Manning didn’t play a down in the preseason due to May 23 surgery to repair a bulging disk in his neck. Colts owner Jim Irsay acknowledged that Indy might have to open the year without its superstar. Manning just recently was activated off the physically unable to perform list and practiced in limited fashion while he continues his rehabilitation.

Manning, who signed a five-year, $90 million contract July 31, has started all 208 regular-season games (227 including the playoffs) since being selected with the first pick in the 1998 draft. That's the NFL's longest active streak.

The neck surgery was Manning's second in 15 months. At the time, the recovery time was expected to be in the 6-to-8 weeks range. He originally said he wouldn’t have even had the surgery if the lockout hadn’t wiped out off-season team activities.

"I certainly want to be out there, and it's hard to keep track of the hours I've spent in rehab," Manning said. "I was short-changed a little bit by the lockout.”

Last season, Manning was 450-for-679 for 4,700 yards, 33 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. The yards and attempts were both career-highs. The Colts had no running game to speak of last year and Manning lost top receiving threats Dallas Clark, Austin Collie and Anthony Gonzalez to injury for significant games each.

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The Cleveland Browns have had only one NFL Rookie of the Year in their history: linebacker Chip Banks in 1982. Could 2011 first-round pick Phil Taylor become the second Defensive Rookie of the Year in franchise history? Taylor is 25/1 to win the award on Bodog’s NFL odds.

The Browns were one of the big movers and shakers in the first round of April’s draft. First they swapped the sixth pick in the first round to the Atlanta Falcons, who used it on Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones. Cleveland got a huge haul from Atlanta: their first-, second-, and fourth-round selections in 2001 and first- and fourth-round picks in 2012. But then with defensive linemen flying off the board, the Browns sent the Kansas City Chiefs the 27th overall pick acquired from Atlanta and the Browns' third-round selection, No. 70 overall, for the 21st spot. And that’s where Cleveland drafted Taylor, a defensive tackle from Baylor.

Taylor registered 107 total tackles, 5.5 sacks and one interception in his collegiate career. During that time, Taylor gained experience as both a strong-side defensive tackle (nine starts) and nose guard (13 starts). While at Baylor, Taylor earned second-team All-Big 12 Conference honors as a senior. Taylor is listed at 6-foot-3, 337 pounds. At Baylor, he played in the 4-3 defense. So the new 4-3 being installed by Browns defensive coordinator Dick Jauron should be comfortable for him. Taylor will line up on either side of Ahtyba Rubin, giving the Browns' new, four-man front a potentially formidable interior on running downs. But Taylor may come out on passing downs considering he had only 2 1/2 sacks in two seasons at Baylor (he started his college career at Penn State).

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The Philadelphia Eagles really are becoming the NFL’s version of the star-studded Miami Heat as the Eagles added yet another former Pro Bowler via free agency on Tuesday in ex-Miami Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown.

Brown has lost a step at age 29, but the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 draft still is a good receiver out of the backfield, an excellent blocker and can even play some quarterback if/when the Eagles want to run the Wildcat. Brown rushed for 4,815 yards and 36 touchdowns and caught 184 passes for 1,491 yards with Miami. He ran for 1,000 yards in 2006 and made his only Pro Bowl team in 2008. Last season, Brown averaged a career-low 3.67 yards per carry, rushing 200 times for 734 yards and five touchdowns to go along with 33 receptions. He won’t be the featured back in Philly but is a nice complement to the starter, LeSean McCoy. Before adding Brown, the Eagles’ only other experienced running back was Eldra Buckley, who has just 36 carries in two years with the Eagles. The team drafted Dion Lewis out of Pittsburgh back in April.

The biggest knock on Brown is his susceptibility to injury; he's missed 16 games since 2007 but did play all 16 in 2010. That Eagles offense should be tremendous with Brown joining McCoy, Michael Vick and WRs DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Brown is the latest in a flurry of moves which have brought CBs Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Cromartie came via trade) DE Jas0n Babin, DT Cullen Jenkins and QB Vince Young to Philadelphia, which last won an NFL title in 1960. All these additions have jumped the Eagles to the third-favorites on Bodog’s NFL futures at 8/1 to win Super Bowl XLVI.

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Eli Manning steps into the glare of the Monday Night Football spotlight as the New York Giants hit the field to conclude Week 2 of the preseason schedule with an NFL betting matchup against the Chicago Bears at the New Meadowlands Stadium (8 pm ET, ESPN).

Manning completed four-of-nine passing attempts for 46 yards as the Giants lost their preseason opener 20-10 to the Carolina Panthers in Week 1. He’ll be looking to back up his controversial words regarding his place in the NFL quarterback galaxy (alongside the likes of Tom Brady) that were made in a recent radio interview.

Domenik Hixon turned in a strong performance at wide receiver for the Giants in the loss to Carolina, pulling down five receptions for 86 yards, and Michael Boley returned an interception 56 yards for the Giants’ only touchdown.

Meanwhile Jay Cutler and the Bears got their preseason off to a winning start by knocking off the Buffalo Bills 10-3 in Week 1, although Cutler only played one series, getting sacked in that sequence. The Bears gave up nine sacks in total, as Nathan Enderle and Caleb Hanie were harassed all night by the Bills.

On the bright side for Chicago, running backs Kahlil Bell and Marion Barber combined for 118 rushing yards on 20 carries with Bell also catching two passes for 46 yards.

The Giants are listed as 4.5-point favorites on the NFL betting lines for this game with the total currently listed at 40 points, and the Bodog Sportsbook will feature the excitement of Live Betting for continuous action as the game unfolds.

Check the Bodog Sportsbook for the best NFL odds and all your Super Bowl futures as preseason action heats up.

The Cleveland Browns have had only one NFL Rookie of the Year in their history: linebacker Chip Banks in 1982. Could 2011 first-round pick Phil Taylor become the second Defensive Rookie of the Year in franchise history? Taylor is 25/1 to win the award on Bodog’s NFL odds.

The Browns were one of the big movers and shakers in the first round of April’s draft. First they swapped the sixth pick in the first round to the Atlanta Falcons, who used it on Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones. Cleveland got a huge haul from Atlanta: their first-, second-, and fourth-round selections in 2001 and first- and fourth-round picks in 2012. But then with defensive linemen flying off the board, the Browns sent the Kansas City Chiefs the 27th overall pick acquired from Atlanta and the Browns' third-round selection, No. 70 overall, for the 21st spot. And that’s where Cleveland drafted Taylor, a defensive tackle from Baylor.

Taylor registered 107 total tackles, 5.5 sacks and one interception in his collegiate career. During that time, Taylor gained experience as both a strong-side defensive tackle (nine starts) and nose guard (13 starts). While at Baylor, Taylor earned second-team All-Big 12 Conference honors as a senior. Taylor is listed at 6-foot-3, 337 pounds. At Baylor, he played in the 4-3 defense. So the new 4-3 being installed by Browns defensive coordinator Dick Jauron should be comfortable for him. Taylor will line up on either side of Ahtyba Rubin, giving the Browns' new, four-man front a potentially formidable interior on running downs. But Taylor may come out on passing downs considering he had only 2 1/2 sacks in two seasons at Baylor (he started his college career at Penn State).

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The Philadelphia Eagles really are becoming the NFL’s version of the star-studded Miami Heat as the Eagles added yet another former Pro Bowler via free agency on Tuesday in ex-Miami Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown.

Brown has lost a step at age 29, but the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 draft still is a good receiver out of the backfield, an excellent blocker and can even play some quarterback if/when the Eagles want to run the Wildcat. Brown rushed for 4,815 yards and 36 touchdowns and caught 184 passes for 1,491 yards with Miami. He ran for 1,000 yards in 2006 and made his only Pro Bowl team in 2008. Last season, Brown averaged a career-low 3.67 yards per carry, rushing 200 times for 734 yards and five touchdowns to go along with 33 receptions. He won’t be the featured back in Philly but is a nice complement to the starter, LeSean McCoy. Before adding Brown, the Eagles’ only other experienced running back was Eldra Buckley, who has just 36 carries in two years with the Eagles. The team drafted Dion Lewis out of Pittsburgh back in April.

The biggest knock on Brown is his susceptibility to injury; he's missed 16 games since 2007 but did play all 16 in 2010. That Eagles offense should be tremendous with Brown joining McCoy, Michael Vick and WRs DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Brown is the latest in a flurry of moves which have brought CBs Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Cromartie came via trade) DE Jas0n Babin, DT Cullen Jenkins and QB Vince Young to Philadelphia, which last won an NFL title in 1960. All these additions have jumped the Eagles to the third-favorites on Bodog’s NFL futures at 8/1 to win Super Bowl XLVI.

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