NFL betting, odds: Jalen Hurts becomes sizable favorite to win NFL MVP
The last six or so weeks have featured plenty of changes in the betting market for NFL MVP. Josh Allen looked like he was going to run away with the award in early November. Then, he had a string of subpar performances and the race tightened. Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes joined Allen near the top of the list. Then, Mahomes began to separate himself just a little. Joe Burrow entered the conversation while Tua Tagovailoa's star has fizzled out in recent weeks.
With just one game remaining in Week 14, and no MVP contender playing on Monday night, we've seen yet another shift in the betting odds for NFL MVP. For the first time this season, we have an odds-on favorite. One might say that with four weeks remaining in the season, the MVP is Jalen Hurts' to lose.
Hurts takes over as MVP favorite
Entering the week, Patrick Mahomes was the betting favorite to win NFL MVP. Mahomes threw for over 350 yards and three touchdowns in a victory over the Denver Broncos. He also took over social media and highlight shows, dazzling viewers with one of the more ridiculous touchdown passes you will ever see:
NO LOOK TOSS??? @PatrickMahomes who are you?!?#ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/J4jfxgn04K
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 11, 2022
However, Mahomes also threw three interceptions in the game and as a result, the Chiefs struggled to hold what was at one point a 27-0 lead. Mahomes had a good game from a statistical perspective, but his errors and turnovers can't be overlooked. Because of that, Mahomes is no longer the MVP favorite. Currently, he's +200 to win the award.
Taking over as the favorite to win NFL MVP is Jalen Hurts. Hurts is currently a -165 favorite to win the award at BetMGM, making him the first odds-on favorite we've seen this season. In Week 14, Hurts went 21-for-31 for 217 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 77 yards and a score with his legs. The Eagles absolutely dominated the Giants, winning by a score of 48-22. If the game was closer, Hurts likely would have done even more through the air.
Hurts has the best quarterback rating in the NFL at 108.4. He's completing 68% of his passes and is tied for fourth with 22 touchdown passes. He has 10 rushing touchdowns, most among quarterbacks. Hurts is second with 8.1 yards per passing attempt. His 32 total touchdowns are juxtaposed with just five turnovers. Hurts has three interceptions this season, while Mahomes had three on Sunday alone.
The Eagles became the first team to clinch a playoff spot and Hurts has obviously been a big part of their 12-1 start. Hurts is in a good spot to win MVP. It feels like it's his to lose.
Burrow continues rise, Tua falls
After his big performance in Week 13 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Joe Burrow went from 18-to-1 to 8-to-1 to win NFL MVP. This week, he had another solid game and finally beat the Cleveland Browns for the first time in his career. As a result, Burrow's odds dropped again. He's now +700 to win NFL MVP. Those odds are third best in the NFL behind Hurts and Mahomes.
Just a few weeks ago, Tua Tagovailoa was a common name thrown around in MVP talks. However, after his last two performances, it might be time to throw any MVP bets you have on Tagovailoa in the trash. Tagovailoa went just 10-for-28 for 145 yards on Sunday as he was decisively outdueled by Justin Herbert, who went just one pick after him in the 2020 draft. This is coming off a game where he threw two interceptions in a 33-17 loss to San Francisco. Tagovailoa has dropped all the way down to 50-to-1 to win the award.
Josh Allen is 18-to-1 to win MVP after Buffalo had another unremarkable offensive performance against the Jets. No other players have odds better than 100-to-1.