Emmanwori, Lawrence, or Jones? Why a Defensive Player Can Win Super Bowl LX MVP

The Super Bowl MVP trophy is awarded to the star who shines the brightest on the grandest stage in football. Defensive players rarely win Super Bowl MVP honors, but that trend will be tested in Super Bowl LX.

Only 10 defensive players have ever won the Super Bowl MVP, meaning that just about five out of six of all MVPs played offense. To add to that, no defensive players since 2016, and only two since 2003, did enough to receive the distinction.

While the odds might be stacked against them, there are numerous Super Bowl MVP candidates on the defensive side of the ball that have a real shot at the award. Only time will tell if they show up when it matters the most under the Super Bowl lights.

Super Bowl MVP Odds

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Seahawks vs. Patriots Super Bowl MVP Odds

The Seahawks and Patriots ranked second and fifth in defensive EPA per play, respectively, across the regular season and playoffs. 

They were also first (17.1) and second (17.3) in points allowed per game, on top of ranking second (New England) and seventh (Seattle) in yards allowed per game and sixth (Seattle) and 10th (New England) in takeaways per game.

Neither team produced a consensus Defensive Player of the Year candidate, but both defenses were truly excellent collectively. The Patriots only allowed 26 points through three playoff games, while the Seahawks gave up 16.5 points per game, fewer than their league-leading amount for the year overall.

Super Bowl LX Top Defensive MVP Options

Nick Emmanwori (+10000)

The rookie was all over the field in the playoffs, recording 14 tackles, a fumble recovery, and four pass deflections. He’s a threat to make a splash play against the run and the pass, and he regularly finds himself around the football due to his position in the middle of the defense.

Marcus Jones (+10000)

The 27-year-old cornerback has the highest career punt return average of any player with at least 75 attempts and scored two punt-return touchdowns this season. He also had a career-high three interceptions, two sacks, a fumble recovery, and a defensive touchdown during the regular season, as well as a sack, a forced fumble, and an interception in the playoffs.

DeMarcus Lawrence (+10000)

Lawrence said he signed with the Seahawks during the offseason to win a Super Bowl, and he was one sack off of tying for the team lead in regular-season sacks (six). He leads them with two playoff sacks and already forced three fumbles in just two games, which spells trouble for Drake Maye, who was sacked 15 times and lost three fumbles in the postseason.

Coby Bryant (+12500)

Bryant led all members of the secondary with four interceptions during the regular season, and Drake Maye has looked squeamish under pressure. He didn’t stand out individually in the playoffs, but he’ll be at the center of defending the pass from his safety position. 

K’Lavon Chaisson (+25000)

Chaisson had 7.5 sacks during the regular season and leads the team in postseason pressures, to go with three sacks and a forced fumble. The Seahawks’ offense has looked fantastic so far, so any sort of disruption would help Chaisson make a strong case for Super Bowl MVP.

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