Two great value bets in NFL Coach of the Year proposition bet

How often do you get an NFL proposition bet offering in which the favorite is not only a legitimately good wager but also has solid value for the bettor? Not often enough by any bettor’s liking, to be sure, but the 2022 version of the “To Win NFL Coach of the Year” prop gifts us just that.

The following is the odds table in the prop:

• Brian Daboll, New York Giants: 14/1
• Brandon Staley, Los Angeles Chargers: 14/1
• Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions: 16/1
• Nathaniel Hackett, Denver Broncos: 16/1
• Kevin O'Connell, Minnesota Vikings: 16/1
• Doug Pederson, Jacksonville Jaguars: 16/1
• Matt Lafleur, Green Bay Packers: 20/1
• Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins: 20/1
• Josh McDaniels, Las Vegas Raiders: 20/1
• Frank Reich, Indianapolis Colts: 20/1
• Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers: 20/1
• Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles: 20/1
• Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns: 20/1
• Dennis Allen, New Orleans Saints: 25/1
• John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens: 25/1
• Ron Rivera, Washington Commanders: 25/1
• Robert Saleh, New York Jets: 25/1
• Mike Vrabel, Tennessee Titans: 25/1
• Bill Belichick, New England Patriots: 30/1
• Matt Eberflus, Chicago Bears: 30/1
• Kliff Kingsbury, Arizona Cardinals: 30/1
• Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills: 30/1
• Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams: 30/1
• Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers: 30/1
• Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals: 30/1
• Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 40/1
• Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks: 40/1
• Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys: 40/1
• Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs: 40/1
• Matt Rhule, Carolina Panthers: 40/1
• Arthur Smith, Atlanta Falcons: 40/1
• Lovie Smith, Houston Texans: 40/1

Considering the odds, preseason hype and expectations, it’s no wonder Brandon Staley is the favorite – and at 14/1, how can NFL bettors worth their salt pass on this opportunity?

Prior to the 2021 season, the Los Angeles Chargers were something of a vogue pick to go deep into the playoffs. With a top-5 pass defense and one of the most exciting QBs out of a packed 2020 NFL Draft in Justin Herbert, the Chargers are naturally thought by most NFL fans to be picture-perfect to make the leap into medium-term perpetual contender.

 Hell, last season the Chargers got out to an 8-5 SU/7-6 ATS start and appeared destined for the playoffs until the wheels fell off, with the Bolts going 1-3 AU/ATS to close out the season including two OT losses to the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders which first took them out of contention to win the AFC West and to enter the playoffs, respectively. The certainly feels like motivation to get, say, two more regular-season wins and possibly the AFC West title, and that bump would likely land Staley the Coach of the Year trophy.

As for a plan B, NFLbets is looking at Kevin O’Connell. The Green Bay Packers have been on cruise control in winning the NFC North. Since 2011, when Aaron Rodgers plays a full/nearly a full season, the Packers have won the division 8 of 10 times and finished in second once. Also, all three years Matt LaFleur has coached, the Pack ends at no. 1 in the North.

But in 2022? Not much is expected – as is not atypical – from the Chicago Bears or Detroit Lions – and the Packers, in re-signing Aaron Rodgers, may be considered to have taken a net negative this offseason. And while a talented bunch in Minnesota has underwhelmed with two consecutive sub-.500 seasons, the eight-year reign of head coach Mike Zimmer is over and such a refresh often bodes well for disgruntled teams.

So hedging on both Staley and O’Connell can win the bettor a payout of 7/1 or 8/1 on a winning bet. You gotta love those odds…