Matt Nagy Odds-On Favorite to Win Coach of the Year
By Chris Amberley in NFL Football
Updated: March 28, 2020 at 7:06 pm EDTPublished:
- Matt Nagy is now the overwhelming favorite to win Coach of the Year.
- Nagy’s odds shifted from +500 to -350 after the Bears clinched the NFC North.
- Nagy was recently named Coach of the Year by the Associated Press.
Winter is coming, and you know who isn’t afraid? The Monsters of the Midway.
Kings of the North.#DaBears pic.twitter.com/PgNDDI8U96
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 17, 2018
Led by rookie head coach Matt Nagy, the Bears clinched their first division title in eight seasons last week and are playoff bound for the first time since 2010.
It’s been fun but WE’RE NOT DONE.#DaBears pic.twitter.com/NMMQL77SOu
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 17, 2018
If you were paying attention last week, our very own Bob Duff recommended Nagy for Coach of the Year at +500 odds. Well that number is long gone now, and Nagy has become the overwhelming favorite to win the award.
Odds to Win 2018 NFL Coach of the Year
| Coach | Team | Odds to win 2018 NFL Coach of the Year |
|---|---|---|
| Matt Nagy | CHI | -350 |
| Sean Payton | NO | +450 |
| Anthony Lynn | LAC | +600 |
| Andy Reid | KC | +650 |
| Sean McVay | LAR | +650 |
Nagy was recently named the NFL’s Top Coach of 2018 by the Associated Press, finishing ahead of Seattle’s Pete Carroll who doesn’t even crack the top five odds at sportsbooks.
The Bears Incredible Turnaround
In less than a full season in Chicago, Nagy has taken the Bears from worst to first in the NFC North. Prior to his arrival, Chicago had finished last in the division each of the past four years, winning a combined 19 games. Nagy is 4-1 in divisional games this season, after the Bears went 3-15 versus divisional foes from 2015-17.
He’s the first rookie Chicago head coach since 1956 to make the playoffs, and the first in almost a century to reach double figures in wins.
Matt Nagy made #Bears history today. pic.twitter.com/KRDXtpsfeq
— NBC Sports Chicago (@NBCSChicago) December 17, 2018
Offensive Outburst
Nagy has made his biggest impact on the Bears offense. After averaging a pathetic 16.5 points per game in 2017, Chicago is the sixth-highest scoring team in the league this season, averaging over 27 points per game.
.@TarikCohen takes ✈ into the end zone!#GBvsCHI | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/zVMhUXY88l
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 16, 2018
He’s unlocked Mitchell Trubisky’s potential, scheming him easy throws, which has led to 16 more touchdown passes than a year ago and a QBR that is 40 points higher than 2017. He’s also installed a plethora of gadget plays to keep defenses on their toes at all times.
https://youtu.be/7XqWTg5eYZE
If Not Nagy Then Who?
Nagy is certainly deserving of the award, but laying -350 seems foolish when +500 was available just last week. It makes sense to give him the award, especially given the recent struggles of the Rams and Saints, but before we crown him we should at least consider Anthony Lynn.
GAME. WINNER.
What a call by the @Chargers!
(via @thecheckdown) pic.twitter.com/IVl5n7phwh
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) December 14, 2018
Lynn showed tremendous moxie in Week 15 going for two and stealing a win in KC. He has the most wins of any head coach in the last 21 games, and his Chargers now have a legit shot at the AFC’s top seed.
Anthony Lynn now squarely in the COY conversation.
— Sam Farmer (@LATimesfarmer) December 14, 2018
If LA wins out and the Chiefs stumble just once, Lynn will no doubt shoot up the odds board. If you’re feeling frisky grab +600 while you can.
Sports Writer
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
