Odds Makers: Drew Brees Will Lead NFL in Passing Yardage
Scott Morris | July 6, 2017
The NFL regular season continues to creep closer and sportsbooks are adding to the excitement by releasing more props. The most recent to be released is what quarterback will lead the NFL in passing.
One constant in the league for years has been that Drew Brees will throw the ball and throw it often. The star signal caller for the New Orleans Saints has led the NFL in passing yards in five of the last six regular seasons. The only season he did not lead the league he was second in 2013.
Therefore, it is not surprising that odds makers have made Brees the favorite to once again lead the league in passing during the 2017 regular season. Brees opened with 3 to 1 odds to throw for the most yards during the season.
Brees might have somewhat of a challenge this season as Brandin Cooks was traded by New Orleans to New England. Cooks led the Saints the last two seasons in receiving yards.
Brees will have the young and talented Michael Thomas and Willie Snead as his two top targets.
The second shortest odds to lead the league in passing yardage are on last season’s NFL MVP Atlanta’s Matt Ryan at 4 to 1. The Falcons QB has finished in the top five the last four seasons for passing yards and was second to Brees last season.
This category over a number of years has been dominated by the same big names. Last season four of the top five quarterbacks in passing yardage were 31 years old or older, with the only signal caller in the group younger than 30 being Washington’s Kirk Cousins.
One of the youngest quarterbacks in the league, Jameis Winston with Tampa Bay has the potential to one day lead the league in passing. Last season at just 22 he was 12th in passing yards, but the Buccaneers acquired DeSean Jackson to add to Mike Evans giving the team a dangerous receiving corps.
Top 10 Odds for NFL Passing Yards
Drew Brees New Orleans 3 to 1
Matt Ryan Atlanta 4 to 1
Tom Brady New England 5 to 1
Kirk Cousins Washington 12 to 1
Philip Rivers Los Angeles Chargers 12 to 1
Aaron Rodgers Green Bay 14 to 1
Andrew Luck Indianapolis 14 to 1
Jameis Winston Tampa Bay 16 to 1
Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh 16 to 1
