NFL MVP Race Continues to Heat Up
Following Week 14 in the National Football League, the NFL MVP race continues to lack a definite winner. There are five candidates which top the list and all of them are quarterbacks. This is a brief look at where the NFL MVP race stands, where we think it’s going, and who should be in the running. Rankings are provided by odds/lines from the BetMGM.com.
Dak Prescott (+150)
Dak led the Cowboys to a primetime blowout of the former NFC East leaders, the Philadelphia Eagles. On Sunday night Dak completed 24 of 39 passes for 271 yards and 2 touchdowns. In his last 5 games, the biggest jump in Dak’s NFL MVP campaign, Dak has completed 126 of 185 passes for 1,494 yards, 15 touchdowns, and only one pick. During that span of time Dak’s NFL MVP odds have drastically improved from +6600 to his current odds of +150. The Cowboys are also 5-0 over that span with only one game being remotely close (Seattle).
Brock Purdy (+175)
Purdy has had the most consistent odds for the NFL MVP during the recent weeks because he’s been leading the most dominant team in the NFL. When you watch the 49ers it’s obvious how much better they are than everyone else they play, particularly the Cowboys and Eagles. A big reason for that is because of their 2nd year QB Brock Purdy. Purdy has thrown for 3,553 yards, 25 touchdowns (T-2), and has an NFL leading 74.7 QBR.
Yes, Purdy obviously has weapons all over the field, but he’s been great this year. against the Seahawks on Sunday, Purdy went 19 for 27 amassing 368 yards and 2 touchdowns. With the Cardinals, Ravens, Commanders, and Rams remaining, it would be a safe bet to think Purdy could take the award away from Dak.
Lamar Jackson (+600)
The previous NFL MVP is tightening the race. Perhaps the most exciting playmaker at the quarterback position in the NFL, Lamar has an opportunity to regain his NVL MVP status following this season. Lamar is currently ranked 14th in overall passing yards in the NFL (2,934) and he’s thrown for 16 touchdowns. Where Lamar has a massive advantage on the other NFL MVP candidates is where he really makes his money… his feet. Lamar has rushed for 644 yards and 5 more touchdowns.
His rushing total ranks him 23rd overall in the NFL and 1st among quarterbacks. The second ranked rushing QB is Justin Fields and he has 186 less rushing yards than Lamar. Most importantly, Lamar has the Baltimore Ravens ranked 1st overall in the AFC at 10-3 going into their final four game stretch of Jacksonville, San Fransisco, Miami, and Pittsburgh.
Jalen Hurts (+800)
Jalen was a top-2 pick for NFL MVP before the loss to the Niners and Cowboys but I wouldn’t give up on him just yet. Jalen’s weapons were shut down verse the Cowboys and he faced the highest amount of pressure he’s seen this year. However, Hurts has thrown for 3,192 yards, 19 touchdowns, and he’s ran for 460 yards and 12 touchdowns, which is 7 more touchdowns than Lamar.
One major factor working in Jalen’s favor is the Eagles remaining weak schedule. They play the Giants twice, the Cardinals, and the Seahawks. He should amass some monster numbers over the last four games of the Eagles season and creep up the NFL MVP ladder, especially if the Eagles win the division.
Josh Allen (+1400)
Allen has had a lackluster year by his standards but things are looking up for the Madden cover athlete following a week 14 win, on the road, at Arrowhead. Allen completed 23 passes for 233 yards and a score in Kansas City on Sunday and he’s ranked 2nd overall in the NFL with 25 passing touchdowns and 3rd overall in QBR at 70.6. Allen also has ran for 10 touchdowns this season, continuing to showcase his dual-threat abilities.
Where Allen has to excel, over the last four games of the season, is by simply taking advantage of the Miami Dolphins downfall and win the AFC East. The Bills face the Cowboys this week and he could take a massive leap towards the top of the NFL MVP ranks if he out-duals Dak and beats the Cowboys.
Others who aren’t on the list
Obviously, every name on the list above has QB next to their name. Quarterback are the typical recipient of the NFL MVP award (winning 20 of the last 23 and 10 straight). However there are a few players who aren’t quarterbacks who are long shots for the award… or at least should be. These names include:
- Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill (+2000)
- 49ers RB Christian McCaffery (+4000)
- Cowboys LB Micah Parsons (+20000)
- Steelers EDGE TJ Watt (+20000)
- Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (+25000)