Dark Horse Picks to Win the 2022 Super Bowl MVP

Like its regular season counterpart, the Super Bowl MVP traditionally goes to the quarterback of the winning team.

That's been the case in four of the previous five seasons, with only New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman taking home the honors back in Super Bowl 53 in New England's 13-3 victory over the L.A. Rams.

Unfortunately, if you're looking to bet on either Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, or Cincinnati Bengals second-year QB Joe Burrow, you won't find much value. Over at WynnBET Sportsbook, Stafford remains the odds-on favorite at even-money (+100 odds) to take home the MVP of the game, with Burrow right behind him at +220.

While several other big names, including the likes of Cooper Kupp, Ja'Marr Chase, Joe Mixon, and even Aaron Donald are getting plenty of shine ahead of Sunday's matchup, who are a few dark horse candidates that could pay off big?

Here are three of my favorites with all odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

Dark Horse Candidates to win Super Bowl MVP

• Von Miller +4000
• Tee Higgins +5000
• Logan Wilson +10000

Von Miller +4000

Might we see the last defensive Super Bowl MVP win it for a second straight time?

Our Peter Dewey thinks it's in play, citing Miller's seven sacks over his last seven games, as well as 12 tackles for loss while thriving in the Rams' defensive unit.

If both offenses struggle and the Rams win, there’s an immediate chance that a defensive player can win Super Bowl MVP. Miller won the award in Super Bowl 50 with a pair of strip sacks of Cam Newton, including the game-sealing play, which I think is one of the best plays in NFL history. We already know Miller has what it takes to win this award, and while the Bengals may attempt to double Donald inside, it’s going to be much harder with Miller coming off the edge.

The line has also moved down from +5000 to its current line of 40/1, so it doesn't appear that Miller's Super Bowl MVP odds are floating alone on an island. He's a popular dark horse pick.

Tee Higgins +5000

Ja'Marr Chase is the newly minted NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, but most predict Rams stud corner Jalen Ramsey to shadow him throughout the game. If he's not shadowed, they're likely to bracket him to limit any major yards-after-catch opportunities where Chase excelled in his first year in the league

This likely sets up a great opportunity for fellow outside wideout Tee Higgins, who's total yards prop is just 10.5 behind Chase's over at WynnBET.

With Burrow projected to throw 36.5 times, Higgins could find himself seeing double digit targets on Sunday in more favorable matchups compared to Chase. He also led the Bengals with 103 receiving yards against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game.

Fun fact? The last wide receiver to win Super Bowl MVP was Julian Edelman, who did it three years ago against... wait for it... Sean McVay's L.A. Rams.

Logan Wilson +10000

If the surrounding narrative against Matthew Stafford is, "Wait until he throws a costly interception," then how do you avoid Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson in the MVP conversation?

Wilson has had an outstanding second-year for the Bengals coming out of Wyoming where he led the team in interceptions with four on the season. He also led all linebackers in picks during the 2021 season.

He lead the Bengals both in the regular season as well as the postseason in tackles, and

Plus, with a nickname that comps him to one of the Incredibles? How do you not sprinkle a couple bucks on him?

Follow all of Ben Heisler's betting picks in real-time HERE!