in NFL Props
Why Quarterbacks win Super Bowl MVP's
by Greg Melikov
What do Broadway Joe, Roger the Dodger and Joe Cool have in common? All were quarterbacks that were most valuable players on Super Bowl.
Broadway Joe Namath guided the upstart Miami in SB 6.
Joe Cool is the only three-time MVP winner: Joe Montana. He won the award when the San Francisco triumphed in Super Bowls 16, 19 and 24.
Montana also quarterbacked the 49ers past the Dolphins in SB 19 as the MVP was on the catching end of his passes – great wide receiver Jerry Rice.
It pays to be a quarterback in the big game because 22 took home the MVP trophy in the 42 Super Bowls. Running backs are next with seven awards, followed by wide receivers, five.
So it’s no surprise Super Bowl 43 MVP.
The odds on Roethlistberger in MVP props are the lowest. He’s the heavy favorite at various sportsbooks ranging from 2-1 to 7-4. Warner’s odds: mostly 5-2.
Warner was the MVP in nine years ago when he guided the Tennessee in SB 34.
Roethlisberger quarterbacked the Steelers to victory over the Seahawks in SB 39, their fifth triumph in six appearances, while his pass-catching buddy Hines Ward was judged most valuable.
If Roethlisberger is the MVP, he would tie Steelers QB Terry Bradshaw who won it for SB 13 and 14, going undefeated in four appearances.
Ward’s odds are much higher: from 10-1 to 15-1 depending on the sportsbook. Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald, considered by many to be the best wide receiver in the NFL, is about 5-1 to take the trophy.
Pittsburgh running back Willie Park gets some backing, too. His odds range from 5-1 to 7-1.
Defensive players have earned MVP honors only eight times. If the game is low scoring, Pittsburgh linebacker Tony Palamalu can win it if he has the kind of game he had against the Ravens. He’s 10-1 t several sportsbooks.
Linebackers have won twice: Chuck Howley with Dallas in SB5 and Ray Lewis with Baltimore in SB 35.
The only game that produced co-MVPs was SB 12: Dallas defensive linemen Randy White and Harvey Martin.
Defensive backs were the winners three times. A kick returner was presented the trophy in SB 31: Green Bay’s Desmond Howard.
If the Steelers prevail, Roethlisberger, known as Big Ben, would join the honor roll of two-time winning QBs that includes New England’s Tom Brady in SB 36 and 38.
