NFL best bets: These futures are wow, and how

We're in a futures mood this morning and figured with 12 weeks of the NFL in the books, we can share some of our favorite looks. That intro did rhyme which we did not intend, but we've got some futures we love, so we'll just hit send.

Looking to the future

DeMeco Ryans to win Coach of the Year (+300)

To us, Coach of the Year is all about expectations. It's why Brian Daboll won it last year over the likes of Nick Sirianni, Kyle Shanahan and Andy Reid — because no one thought the Giants would be any good.

That's why we're so confused about Dan Campbell's placement as the current Coach of the Year favorite. Everyone was on the Lions to win the NFC North this year with the talent they've accumulated and the strong finish they had to the 2022-23 season. Their 8-3 spot in the standings isn't a surprise.

What is a surprise is the play of the Houston Texans. Now sure, Houston just lost to Jacksonville, dipping them below the wild-card spots for now, but there is plenty of time for the Texans to hop back into the mix here, and C.J. Stroud is playing just fantastic football.

If Houston makes the playoffs, how can this award not go to the first-time head coach returning to coach his former team? We love this price on DeMeco Ryans.

T.J. Watt to win Defensive Player of the Year (+250)

Cleveland's Myles Garrett is the current favorite at +160, and we understand why. He's been the best player on one of the NFL's best defenses, and his 13.0 sacks and 29 QB pressures are both among the best marks in the league. On a team without a real QB, the fact Cleveland is in the playoff hunt is a testament to Garrett and this defense.

However, everything from above also applies to Pittsburgh's T.J. Watt. Watt has the slight edge in sacks (13.5 vs. 13.0) and more pressures (35 vs. 29), and the Steelers are currently 7-4 and the fifth seed in the AFC despite mediocre QB play.

We'll be happy for Garrett if he secures his first DPOY win, but Watt's play should have him closer to the favorite in our eyes, so that's where we see the value down the home stretch.

In the news ...

Vikings lose to Bears, opening up NFC wild-card race — In what was a very ugly "MNF" game (this is becoming too regular), the Chicago Bears won on a late field goal to take it over the Vikings 12-10. The result that matters here is Minnesota's loss, which drops it to 6-6. While it still maintains its spot as the seventh and final seed in the NFC, both Green Bay and the Los Angeles Rams are nipping at their heels at 5-6. Minnesota is currently -120 to make the playoffs, while the Packers are +108 and the Rams are +235.

Patrick Kane signs with Detroit Red Wings — Free-agent forward and future Hall of Famer Patrick Kane has signed with the Detroit Red Wings after patiently mulling his options to begin the season. Detroit currently sits at 11-6-3, tied for third in the Atlantic Division. Kane will reunite with former teammate Alex DeBrincat and help bring some added juice to Detroit's offense. The Red Wings are currently +110 to make the playoffs.

St. Louis Cardinals sign Sonny Gray — The St. Louis Cardinals made a big move early this offseason, inking AL Cy Young finalist Sonny Gray to a three-year, $75M contract. Gray finished last season with a 2.79 ERA and 183 Ks in 184 innings pitched for the Minnesota Twins. St. Louis has been busy rehauling their starting rotation, already having signed Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson to join Miles Mikolas and Steven Matz. The Cardinals are +1800 to clinch the NL pennant in 2024.

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll, the guy who won $8K on a $20 NFL parlay. Follow him on Substack: griffybets.substack.com.