2022 Super Bowl MVP Positional Breakdown: Scenarios, Trends and How a Quarterback Will Win
By Peter Dewey
Predicting the Super Bowl MVP between the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals is a tough task, but there is some history that shows the quarterback is the most likely position to come away with the award.
WynnBET Sportsbook has Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow at +210 to win Super Bowl MVP while Matthew Stafford is +115 to win the award. This makes sense considering the Rams are four-point favorites in the game.
So what needs to happen for a quarterback to win Super Bowl MVP? In a pass-first league that is run by the quarterback position, there’s a reason these two players are so close to even money to win this award.
Let’s break down some trends for Super Bowl MVP-winning quarterbacks and see what Burrow or Stafford needs to do to etch their name in NFL history.
Super Bowl MVP Betting Trends: How Often Does a Quarterback Win?
- A quarterback has won 31 of the 55 Super Bowl MVPs in NFL history, by far the most of any position.
- Seven of the last 10 Super Bowl MVPs have been quarterbacks.
- Joe Namath is the only quarterback to win a Super Bowl MVP without throwing a touchdown.
- More defensive players (two) have won Super Bowl MVP in the last 10 years than non-quarterback offensive players.
What Does a Quarterback Need to Do to Win Super Bowl MVP?
Joe Namath’s Super Bowl MVP is an anomaly, as the 30 other Super Bowl MVPs won by quarterbacks had the player throwing for at least one touchdown.
That being said, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Joe Montana, John Elway, Len Dawson and Bart Starr all won a Super Bowl MVP award when they threw for just one score in the game.
Multiple scores would certainly go a long way for Burrow or Stafford winning the award, but it is possible that a wide receiver (such as Cooper Kupp or Ja’Marr Chase) could steal the show.
Over the last 20 years, four wideouts have won Super Bowl MVP, and they are the only non-quarterback offensive players to win the award during that time.
Essentially, it’s either Burrow or Stafford who comes away with the award or their top target if it comes from the offensive side of the ball.
Betting on a quarterback is probably the way to go, especially when you consider that they’ve won 70% of the Super Bowl MVP’s in the last 10 years. Our Matt De Saro broke down the case to be made for both of these quarterbacks ahead of Super Bowl 56.
With Burrow and Stafford both at plus odds, if you don’t have a great feeling on the game, it may be worth sprinkling a little on each player to come away as this year’s MVP.