2020 NFL MVP odds: Patrick Mahomes the favorite over Lamar Jackson, with Tom Brady cracking top five Mahomes would become the youngest player with two league MVPs on his mantle. After his Super Bowl LIV MVP performance, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is the favorite at odds of 4-1. Last season’s Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson slides in a close second.
Lamar Jackson keeps wowing us with jaw-dropping play after jaw-dropping play these days, and now he’s the odds-on favorite to win NFL MVP.
Ahead of Russell Wilson. Ahead of Aaron Rodgers. Ahead of Patrick Mahomes. Ahead of our dark-horse candidate, Dak Prescott.
This second-year player opened the year as a dark horse himself, but following yet another brilliant big-game performance Sunday, he’s the new favorite at +170 at DK Sportsbook, per ESPN’s Ben Fawkes.
It’s really not surprising. Jackson has the Baltimore Ravens flying high atop the AFC North with an 8-2 record, just one game behind the defending champion New England Patriots in the AFC as a whole. Along the way, this phenom has smashed NFL records and is on pace to do more of the same.
Through 10 games, Jackson has 2,258 yards passing with 19 touchdowns and five interceptions. He’s added another 788 yards and six scores on the ground. No wonder his head coach scoffs at the notion that Jackson needs to emulate another young gunslinger who does things a bit differently.
The Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is one of the most exciting and explosive young quarterbacks in the game.
Lamar Jackson Mvp Odds
He can throw and run, essentially he can do it all.
This is precisely why he was named the 2019 NFL MVP.
Can Lamar Jackson win another NFL MVP award in 2021?
Yes he can, and here is why.
1. Quarterbacks Won In Recent Years
When the running back was the most dominant player in the NFL offense, he was a more viable candidate.
Emmitt Smith is an example of that.
We are now in the age of quarterbacks being more focal players and either earning glory or disdain.
The 2020 NFL MVP is Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers; this is his third time earning the distinction.
Jackson won in 2019, and the year before Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes won the 2018 MVP award.
In fact, Adrian Peterson in 2012 is the last non-quarterback to win the award.
Tom Brady, Matt Ryan, Cam Newton, and Peyton Manning were winners in the 2010 decade also.
Lamar Jackson Mvp Odds Before Season
The odds are very good that a quarterback will win the 2021 NFL MVP award.
Since Jackson already won, his odds are even better.
Speaking of odds, oddsmakers are already speculating on who next year’s MVP will be; Jackson is definitely in the running.
Odds to win 2021-22 NFL MVP @WilliamHillUS 📊
+450: Patrick Mahomes
+700: Aaron Rodgers
+1000: Josh Allen
+1200: Russell Wilson
+1500: Lamar Jackson, Tom Brady
+2000: Justin Herbert, Kyler Murray, Dak Prescott, Deshaun Watson, Matthew Stafford
+2500: Ryan Tannehill pic.twitter.com/nAu6RcQ8F3
— The Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) February 24, 2021
2. Statistics Help To Make The MVP Case.
For Lamar Jackson to win the 2021 NFL MVP, he needs to have great statistics.
Aaron Rodgers threw 48 touchdown passes and rushed for 3 touchdowns during the 2020 regular season.
Rodgers’ 51 touchdowns eclipses Jackson’s 2019 numbers.
Jackson threw 36 touchdown passes and rushed for 7.
When Mahomes earned the honor, he threw 50 touchdown passes and rushed for 2.
Though Lamar had 43 in his MVP season, it looks like the quarterback needs over 50 touchdowns, through a combination of passing and rushing, to have a legitimate chance to nab the honor.
3. Big Wins Over Top Tier Teams Improve Jackson’s Chances.
In 2020, the Pittsburgh Steelers were the best team in the Ravens’ division, AFC North.
The Ravens lost both of their matchups with the Steelers.
Of course, the pandemic and Jackson’s own bout with COVID-19 contributed to these results.
However, the point remains.
To be considered NFL MVP, the player must have big games against good opponents.
It means more than wracking up numbers against the lesser-talented opponents.
Jackson’s AFC North is division is becoming increasingly competitive.
Three of the four teams made the playoffs in 2020.
And the fourth team, the Cincinnati Bengals, is definitely up and coming.
Jackson will have a lot of tests against formidable opponents in 2021.
For Jackson to repeat as NFL MVP, his performances against these division foes must be top notch.
Concerns About Lamar Jackson And Baltimore Ravens
There is the perennial injury concern for Lamar Jackson given his tremendous mobility.
Lamar Jackson Mvp Odds Preseason
The other concern is his lack of a supporting cast.
Jackson lacks big name backs and receivers to help spur the Ravens’ offense.
Also, the Ravens lack money, their salary cap carryover is the worst in the NFL.
The League average is just shy of $10 million, and the Ravens are at $587,000.
A look at the salary cap carryover for 2021: pic.twitter.com/Q5JELBem2u
Lamar Jackson Mvp Odds
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) February 19, 2021
All of these factors could impede Lamar Jackson’s individual success.