Super Bowl 2015: Patriots vs. Seahawks MVP Favorites and Stat Predictions

Watching the 2015 Super Bowl simply isn't enough for many fans across the country. Betting has to be involved, and with the importance of this matchup exotic prop bets are typically wagered.     

One popular prop bet for bettors is predicting who the Super Bowl MVP will be. Last season, it's doubtful that anyone would have guessed that Malcolm Smith would emerge as the top player on the field. In 2015, the odds for a defensive player are no better than 33-1, showing yet again that there is an opportunity for an underdog to win the trophy.

However, a quarterback has taken the honor in 10 of the last 16 Super Bowls. That list includes Tom Brady, who has taken it home twice during his career.  

Here's a look at the full list of potential winners and a breakdown of some of the top players to target.

Player	Odds
Tom Brady	8-5
Russell Wilson	7-2
Marshawn Lynch	4-1
Rob Gronkowski	9-1
LeGarrette Blount	12-1
Julian Edelman	25-1
Darrelle Revis	33-1
Doug Baldwin	33-1
Kam Chancellor	33-1
Richard Sherman	33-1
Earl Thomas	40-1
Bobby Wagner	50-1
Jamie Collins	50-1
Jermaine Kearse	50-1
Brandon LaFell	66-1
Shane Vereen	66-1
Danny Amendola	75-1
K.J. Wright	75-1
Byron Maxwell	100-1
Devin McCourty	100-1
Dont'a Hightower	100-1
Luke Willson	100-1
Malcolm Smith	100-1
Patrick Chung	100-1
Rob Ninkovich	100-1
Stephen Gostkowski	100-1
Steven Hauschka	100-1
Field	25-1

Note: MVP Odds courtesy of Odds Shark and updated as of Jan. 27 at 1 p.m. ET.

Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seattle Seahawks (4-1)

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

When trying to figure out the Super Bowl MVP, it should typically be the player who has the biggest impact on the offense. While Russell Wilson can change a game with his arm, it's Marshawn Lynch that is the true ignition switch for the Seattle Seahawks.

Beast Mode didn't have a huge outing last February, but he wasn't really asked to do much. Seattle jumped out to a commanding lead thanks to the defense, and Lynch still scored a touchdown.

Denver Broncos defensive end DeMarcus Ware tried to describe what it's like to tackle Lynch, via Pete Prisco of CBS Sports:

"

I shed my blocker and I was there waiting for him. I said to myself, 'I got him.' I tried to lock up on him and he knocked me off. I was like, 'Are you kidding me?' That just shows how strong he is. I knew I had to bring the heat if I was going to tackle him. ...

Powerful. That's one strong man.

"

If the Seahawks face a similar situation like they did in the NFC Championship Game, they will likely lean heavily on Lynch. While it may seem like the complete opposite of the strategy for most teams, Seattle has faith that Beast Mode can carry them to a victory.

Prediction: 135 total yards, two rushing touchdowns

Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots (8-5)

Brady has been on this stage five times. Of those opportunities, he's won the MVP twice in three wins. He's been there, done that and already burned the T-shirt.

Even with controversy swirling around the New England Patriots franchise over deflated balls, hardly anyone doubts Brady will be ready for the bright lights.

If it does come down to a final drive for the Patriots, they will look to Brady to lead them to a victory. After all, he's been in that situation before and thrived as well, via NFL on ESPN:

While he's come up short in the last two Super Bowls he's played in, Brady has played well in both games. Expect Brady to be hoisting the Super Bowl MVP if the Patriots take home the Lombardi Trophy—which isn't a given.

Prediction: 356 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, one interception

Wild Card: Kam Chancellor, SS, Seattle Seahawks (33-1)

Lynch may be the leader offensively, but the Seahawks have several leaders on the other side. With Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman likely playing through injuries, it will be up to Kam Chancellor to take the brunt of the load for the defense.

As Sherman noted earlier in the playoffs, Chancellor is already a voice of reason for the Legion of Boom:

Known for his hard-hitting style and ridiculous athleticism, Chancellor was already the star of one playoff game for the Seahawks. Against the Carolina Panthers, he leaped over the offensive line twice to attempt to block a field goal and sealed the game with a pick-six on Cam Newton.

Though he didn't show up as much on the stat sheet during the NFC Championship Game, Pete Damilatis of Pro Football Focus provides a visual of what he's capable of:

Likely facing Rob Gronkowski for much of the game, Chancellor will have a chance to make several big plays. If he can jump a route against Brady or disrupt Gronk on a few plays, no one will forget the effort Chancellor put forth this postseason.

Prediction: Nine tackles, one pass defended, one interception

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