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As we get deeper into the NFL regular season and closer to the NFL playoffs, the race for the league’s MVP begins to heat up. Right now, there is a strong contingent of players who can say that they deserve to win it or at least be in the conversation. Most of these players are quarterbacks as they directly impact the game.
We will be looking at four players’ performances from Week 9 and predict whether they increased their odds to win the MVP or hurt them. If you want to see the current league MVP odds, you can check them out at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers
It is only right that we start off this list with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Heading into Week 9, Rodgers had the third-best odds (+1000) to win the NFL MVP behind Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Russell Wilson.
Rodgers, who already has two league MVPs on his resume, turned in another tremendous performance against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night. The veteran gunslinger completed 80.6 percent of his passes for 305 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions. It was the second time in three weeks that Rodgers threw four TDs passes and no interceptions.
Ever since Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he threw two interceptions, Rodgers has thrown 11 touchdowns. Without a doubt, that is impressive and will only increase his odds of winning the MVP.
Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen
This was a hard choice because I could’ve easily chosen Mahomes, who is playing lights out. However, the reigning Super Bowl MVP is a clear front runner for the league MVP. Therefore, the second player who helped his odds this week was Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
After his so-so performance last week against the Patriots, Allen’s odds to win the MVP were +3300. However, they will improve after he outdueled Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson in Buffalo’s 44-34 win on Sunday. The third-year quarterback completed a season-high 81.6 percent of his passes for 415 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
The last time Allen posted this type of stat line was in Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins. In that game, he completed 68.6 percent of his passes for 415 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Now granted, Allen was going the league’s worst pass defense in Seattle on Sunday. But he did what he was supposed to do from the opening drive in the first quarter. If Allen can build off of this performance and help the Bills win the AFC East, that will only improve his case.
Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson
With so many great quarterback performances this season, it was going to be tough for Lamar Jackson to repeat as league MVP. However, on Sunday, Jackson didn’t do himself any favors, despite his team getting the win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Heading into Sunday’s game, Jackson had +5000 odds, which placed him behind Josh Allen, Ben Roethlisberger, and Tom Brady. As we just talked about, Allen had a fantastic game. Jackson did not put up gaudy numbers as he completed 82.6 percent of his passes for 170 yards. He did not throw any touchdowns but also did not turn over the football.
However, Jackson did have a rushing touchdown, giving him his second in three games. Even though the Ravens are winning games, what will help Jackson’s odds is putting up video game-like numbers, which he did last season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady
Heading into Sunday night football against the New Orleans Saints, Tom Brady was +1200 to win the NFL MVP. But Brady odds will take a tumble with his horrendous performance in Week 9.
The 43-year-old signal-caller completed 50 percent of his passes for 96 yards and two interceptions. It was only the second time this season that Brady threw two interceptions. Coincidentally, the last time it happened was in Week 1 against the Saints.
The veteran quarterback came into Sunday with a touchdown-interception ratio of 9-0 in his last four games. We’ll likely see Brady odds fall to the +3300 range, where Allen was slotted after his lackluster performance in Week 8. He can rebound next week against another division rival in the Carolina Panthers.
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