Bills' Damar Hamlin Losing Ground In Comeback Player of the Year Race?
Before the season, and even most of the way through it, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin was considered a lock for the Comeback Player of the Year award.
The story of Hamlin - who horrifically went into cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 2 - is one of the most inspiring in the NFL. Despite almost losing his life in the incident, Hamlin was not only able to make a full recovery, but returned to football just a few months later. Although the former sixth-round pick hasn't played much this season, the fact that he's playing at all is a miracle.
Hamlin has been a landslide betting favorite to win Comeback Player of the Year for months now, and while he is still the favorite, a new challenger is quickly closing in.
Damar Hamlin
© Gregory Fisher, USA TODAY
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco has only played four games with his new club, but he's already become one of the league's best stories this season. Since he arrived in Cleveland, the 38-year-old Flacco leads the NFL with 1,307 passing yards and 10 touchdowns. The Browns have won three of the four games that Flacco started as he's given the offense a punch that has been sorely lacking.
Flacco, who started just nine games over the previous three seasons, has revitalized his career in Cleveland, and put himself into Comeback Player of the Year contention in the process. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Hamlin is still the favorite to win the award at -220, but Flacco is hot on his tail at +240. Distantly behind them are Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (+650), Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (+2200) and Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (+3000).
Some argue that Hamlin's minimal playing time this season weakens his case, especially as other players are making much larger contributions to their teams while having bounce-back years. However, it's impossible for stats to convey just how improbable Hamlin's return is in the first place.
Either way, it seems like the race for this award will be much closer than anyone thought.
