2025-26 NFL Offensive Player of the Year Guide: Puka Nacua Tops Jonathan Taylor in OPOY Race After Week 4
Get the latest NFL Offensive Player of the Year odds, with Puka Nacua, Jonathan Taylor, and Bijan Robinson leading the race. See which contenders are climbing or falling, the most popular bets, and a full guide to OPOY futures, including updated lines, key stats, and market trends shaping the award chase.
OC Staff - October 1, 2025, 12:30 AM EDT
7 Minute ReadNFL Offensive Player of the Year Odds: Puka Nacua Leads Jonathan Taylor in OPOY Battle After Dominating Colts
Puka Nacua has surged to the top of the Offensive Player of the Year odds after a monster performance in Week 4, hauling in 13 catches for 170 yards and a touchdown against the Colts. The Rams wideout has been a force since his breakout rookie campaign and is quickly proving his ability to carry Los Angeles’ passing attack. At just +300, he’s now the clear favorite as voters take notice of his week-to-week dominance.
Jonathan Taylor isn’t far behind, maintaining his spot near the top of the board thanks to a blistering start to the season. The Colts’ star back leads the NFL in rushing with more than 400 yards already, while also contributing four total touchdowns. His combination of volume and efficiency continues to make him one of the league’s premier workhorses, and he’s positioned himself as a strong contender if his production continues at this pace.
Behind them, Bijan Robinson and Christian McCaffrey round out the top four. Both versatile backs have eclipsed nearly 600 total yards through the first month of the season, with close to half of that production coming through the air. Their dual-threat ability makes them difficult to game plan for, and their dynamic styles give each a strong case to stay in the conversation as the year progresses.
The OPOY award has long been the home of elite skill players, with quarterbacks usually dominating the MVP race. Running backs have claimed the honor in each of the last two years, while wide receivers took it in the two seasons before that. With Nacua leading the way early and a trio of superstar backs chasing him closely, history suggests that this year’s winner will once again come from the pool of explosive playmakers outside the quarterback position.
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NFL Offensive Player of the Year Odds
Risers & Fallers: NFL Offensive Player of the Year Odds Movement
Since the preseason, the futures market has shifted significantly after the first month of the season. Here are the biggest risers and fallers on the NFL Offensive Player of the Year board (odds changes are week to week):
📈 Risers
- Jonathan Taylor (+900 → +450) Taylor leads the league in rushing yards and looks like his old dominant self, giving the Colts a workhorse spark that has pushed him up the board.
- Puka Nacua (+1600 → +300) A monster 13-catch, 170-yard, 1-TD outing against the Colts has vaulted Nacua into the top spot, proving he’s far more than just a breakout story.
- Bijan Robinson (+1400 → +550) Robinson continues to showcase his versatility, piling up nearly 600 scrimmage yards through four weeks and positioning himself as a true dual-threat weapon.
- Christian McCaffrey (+2000 → +650) McCaffrey is doing exactly what voters expect: dominating on the ground and through the air. His balanced production has him firmly in the mix.
📉 Fallers
- Saquon Barkley (+500 → +2500) Barkley opened as the clear favorite after winning the award a year ago, but
- Ja’Marr Chase (+1100 → +4500) Chase has struggled to find rhythm in Cincinnati’s banged-up offense, sinking his odds quickly as Jake Browning takes over at quarterback for the forseeable future.
- CeeDee Lamb (+1800 → +10000) The Cowboys offense has been impressive, but an ankle injury in Week 3 has sidelined CeeDee Lamb for the time being.
- Derrick Henry (+1400 → +3000) The Ravens have struggled their way to a 1-3 start, and the offense suffered in this latest loss to the Chiefs. Henry started strong but has fallen apart in this market, and will need a resurgence.
Bettors Backed Saquon Barkley Heavy in Preseason
In the preseason, no player attracted more attention in the Offensive Player of the Year market than Saquon Barkley. The Giants star entered with the shortest odds on the board at +500 after nearly breaking the NFL rushing record a year ago with more than 2,000 yards.
Fresh off his second career OPOY award and a Super Bowl run, Barkley was the clear favorite to repeat, commanding heavy backing from bettors who expected him to once again carry New York’s offense and build on his historic campaign.
Betting on NFL Futures: A Quick Guide
Futures bets are one of the most fun ways to get action down on the NFL. Instead of just betting on who wins this week, you’re wagering on something bigger that plays out over the whole season (or all the way to the Super Bowl).
Think of futures as long-term tickets; they give you a rooting interest that sticks. Every win, loss, injury, or breakout performance can move the odds, and if you locked in early, that value is yours to ride all season long.
The most popular NFL futures markets include:
- Super Bowl Winner (which team hoists the Lombardi in February)
- Conference & Division Champions
- Regular Season Win Totals (Over/Unders)
- Player Awards (MVP, Rookie of the Year, Comeback Player, etc.)
- Stat Leaders (Most Passing Yards, Rushing Yards, etc.)
- Player Milestones (e.g., Will a QB hit 40+ Passing TDs?)
Super Bowl MVP Odds
If you’re not diving into futures market until mid-season, the Super Bowl MVP is a great place to look instead of this Regular Season MVP market. These odds are not up at most books as they wait for the contenders to make themselves known. It’s basically a two-part bet: you’re picking the team you think will win it all and which star will carry them.
- Quarterbacks usually dominate (think Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson).
- Running backs and wide receivers can cash if they have monster games on the big stage.
- Occasionally, a defensive player or special teams star sneaks in — rare, but the payouts are huge.
This market heats up late into the season, so you can hedge or double down based on which teams look like true contenders.
Explore oddschecker's NFL Futures Markets
Here’s a breakdown of all the NFL futures you can bet on this season, with quick explanations for casual fans:
Popular NFL Outrights
Super Bowl Winner – Which team lifts the Lombardi.
Super Bowl Matchup – Pick the exact two teams that will face off.
Super Bowl Winning Conference – AFC vs. NFC.
Super Bowl Winning Division – Which division produces the Super Bowl champ.
AFC Champion / NFC Champion – Who represents each conference in the big game.
#1 Seed Markets - AFC #1 Seed / NFC #1 Seed – Which team earns home-field advantage through the playoffs.
Player Awards
- Offensive Rookie of the Year / Defensive Rookie of the Year – Bet on which rookie makes the biggest impact in their first season.
- Comeback Player of the Year – Awarded to a player who bounces back from injury or a tough year.
- Coach of the Year – Goes to the head coach who turns a team around or exceeds expectations.
- Offensive Player of the Year / Defensive Player of the Year – Recognizes the best all-around offensive or defensive star outside of the MVP race.
- Protector of the Year – Honors the league’s best offensive lineman.
- MVP – The big one: Most Valuable Player across the entire NFL Regular Season.
Season Leader Odds
- Most Passing Yards – Which QB airs it out the most.
- Most Passing TDs – Quarterback with the most touchdown throws.
- Most Receiving Yards – Wideout or tight end who racks up the biggest yardage total.
- Most Rushing Yards – Running back (or dual-threat QB) who dominates on the ground.
How To Bet On NFL Futures
NFL futures betting is simple once you know the basics. Instead of betting on one Sunday’s outcome, you’re putting money on a result that plays out over weeks or months. The most common example? Picking which team will win the Super Bowl.
Here’s a quick step-by-step for betting NFL futures:
- Choose a sportsbook and sign up. Click any offer within this article to get started with some extra bonus funds.
- Find the futures tab. Futures odds are usually posted right after the previous season ends, so markets are open year-round.
- Lock in your pick. Odds reflect the current perception of a team or player, so acting early can often give you the best value.
- Sit back and watch it unfold. Futures betting is a long-term play — you’re in it for the season, not just the weekend.
NFL Award Betting FAQs
What types of bets can I make on NFL Player Awards?
Beyond just picking who wins the Regular Season NFL MVP, you can bet on:
- Comeback Player of the Year
- Coach of the Year
- Offensive Player of the Year
- Defensive Player of the Year
- Super Bowl MVP
- Offensive Rookie of the Year
- Defensive Rookie of the Year
What exactly is a futures bet?
A futures bet is a wager on something that won’t be decided right away — like who wins the Super Bowl, or whether a QB hits 4,000 passing yards in a season. Odds shift throughout the year, so locking in early can sometimes give you a better price.
Where can I bet on Super Bowl 60?
You can legally bet on Super Bowl 60 in most U.S. states with regulated sportsbooks. Top options include BetMGM, Caesars, FanDuel, DraftKings, Fanatics, and bet365. Each operator offers exclusive sign-up bonuses — check out our promo code page to maximize your value.
When is the best time to bet Super Bowl futures?
- Right after the previous Super Bowl — when odds first open and oddsmakers might undervalue rising teams.
- After the NFL Draft or big free-agent moves — when rosters take shape.
- Late preseason — when depth charts and injuries are clearer.
Can I cash out NFL futures early?
Yes, many sportsbooks now offer cash-out options, letting you secure profit (or cut losses) before the season ends if your team is in a good spot.
Why do Super Bowl odds change during the year?
Odds move based on betting action, injuries, roster moves, and performance. For example, if Josh Allen goes down in Week 2, the Bills’ odds would immediately lengthen.
What’s the difference between Super Bowl odds and playoff odds?
- Super Bowl Odds are outright — you’re betting on the champion.
- Playoff Odds are simpler — will a team make or miss the postseason?
Do I have to bet big money to win big?
Not at all. Futures bets often carry big payouts. A $25 bet on a +2000 underdog to win the Super Bowl would return $500 if it hits.
Can I bet on player stats all season long?
Yes. You can wager on passing yards, rushing touchdowns, receiving yards, and more. Books also post season milestones (ex: Will Mahomes throw 40+ TDs?) and weekly props once games kick off.
What’s the most popular Super Bowl prop?
Besides MVP, novelty props like the coin toss and Gatorade color dumped on the winning coach are staples every year.
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