5 Sleeper NFL MVP bets to jump on for the 2020 season

4. Philip Rivers, QB, Indianapolis Colts | NFL MVP odds: +6000

For the first time since he was drafted No. 4 overall in 2004, Philip Rivers won’t be suiting up for the Chargers when the 2020 season begins. Los Angeles decided to part ways with their veteran quarterback this offseason given his age and a need for change. That paved the way for Rivers to take his talents to the land of the Horseshoe, signing with the Indianapolis Colts in free agency.

Now, it should be noted that Rivers is coming to Indy off of one of the worst seasons of his prolific career. Yes, he threw for 4,615 yards and completed 66.0 percent of his passes in 2019. But Rivers only threw 23 touchdown passes — his lowest total since 2007 — while throwing 20 interceptions, most of which looked quite bad and downright reckless from the veteran.

Having said that, the situation in Indianapolis couldn’t be more different for Rivers than what he had in Los Angeles. After playing behind a porous offensive line, he’s now going to be protected by one of the best units in the league. Moreover, he has just as many weapons with two talented young running backs along with T.Y. Hilton, breakout candidate Parris Campbell and rookie Michael Pittman Jr.

Moreover, Rivers isn’t stepping into an entirely new situation, even if he’s never played with another team besides the Chargers. His familiarity with Colts head coach Frank Reich and much of the staff gives him as easy of a transition as you could imagine. Subsequently, if he’s not simply showing his age and still has juice in the tank, the stars are aligning for Rivers to catch some people by surprise in a major way.