NFL futures: Chasing the post-season awards

The NFL released its full regular-season schedule on Wednesday, which has us hankering for some football futures. Don't worry, we'll touch on some more PGA Championship looks below, but we've got NFL on the brain this morning.

Future is bright for these football bets

Ja'Marr Chase to win Offensive Player of the Year (+1200 DraftKings)

We have a feeling that the Cincinnati Bengals are going to be slept on a bit heading into the fresh season, as sometimes happens when your team deals with some key injuries and fails to make the postseason the year prior.

We'd recommend you don't sleep on Cincy, and that love extends to their star WR, Ja'Marr Chase. Chase has yet to sign a new mega-deal, but that is expected, and Tee Higgins remains TBD if he'll be on the team come Week 1.

Chase is one of the league's most explosive players, and with Joe Burrow back, we're expecting a big year for the Bengals duo. Chase was inside the top 12 for all the important receiving metrics last season, and that was with backups throwing him the ball.

We're sprinkling on an OPOY campaign for the fourth-year wideout in a resurgent year for Cincinnati.

Jalen Hurts to win MVP (+1500 DraftKings)

Speaking of resurgent years, Jalen Hurts deserves a bit of an investment in this MVP market. We know that these awards are so often tied to the success of your team, and Philadelphia is well-positioned for another strong season. They have one of the easier strength of schedules heading into the year, and they are absolutely loaded on both sides of the ball.

Hurts has been the MVP favorite in December for two straight seasons. Two years ago, he missed two games that dropped him from contention, and last year, Philly had a late-season collapse that pushed him down the board.

It shows, however, that as long as the Eagles are winning, Hurts is going to be a hot name by season's end. At 15-1, we're banking on this being a value add in a wide-open NFC.

In the news ...

PGA Championship teed off earlier this morning — As of this writing, Xander Schauffele is the name at the top at Valhalla, shooting a scorching five-under through nine holes. That, plus a hot start by Tony Finau, are the two names to monitor here after just a few hours. Schauffele is the current favorite at +320. That opens the door for some potential value here down the board. Scottie Scheffler hasn't even started yet (2:23 p.m. ET tee time) and now he is no longer the betting favorite. You can sign us up on the 5-1 price for the best golfer in the world to win another major, especially just having had his first child. We'll also dabble on Tony Finau at 3-1 to finish in the Top 10, considering his hot start.

Celtics advance to third-straight Eastern Conference Finals, Mavericks go up 3-2 — The Boston Celtics are now one series away from their second NBA Finals appearance in three seasons. The Cs dispatched the Cavaliers on Wednesday thanks to a big Al Horford night, and now await the winner of the Pacers-Knicks series. There's really no point in betting Boston futures now, as they're currently -130 to win it all. They should get there, and then you can back them if you feel so inclined at a similar price. Out West, the Dallas Mavericks took Game 5 over the Thunder and are now one win away from moving on. Oklahoma City is +150 to even the series on the road on Saturday. 

Avalanche force Game 6 — Colorado responded with an enthusiastic effort on Wednesday in Dallas. Led by Cale Makar's two goals, the Avalanche won 5-3 and forced a Game 6, which will be in Colorado tomorrow night. The Avs remain without their leading goal scorer Valeri Nichushkin, but they've at least made it a series. We like Wyatt Johnston to step up and deliver a big game tomorrow: his goal is currently +190. He scored twice in Colorado earlier this week.

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll. Follow him on Substack: griffybets.substack.com.