Tag: MVP

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) celebrates after throwing the winning touchdown to wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (12) during overtime against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes wins third Super Bowl MVP award

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Leading Kansas City to a thrilling 25-22 overtime win against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes won his second straight Super Bowl MVP award and third overall on Sunday night in Las Vegas.

Guiding the Chiefs to back-to-back titles and their third in the past five seasons, the 28-year-old Mahomes joins Joe Montana as three-time winners, trailing only Tom Brady, who won the award five times.

With the Chiefs trailing 22-19 in overtime, Mahomes engineered a 13-play, 75-yard drive and tossed the game-winning 3-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman with three seconds left. Mahomes finished 34-of-46 passing for 333 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He also led Kansas City in rushing with 66 yards on nine carries.

En route to the Super Bowl, Mahomes led the Chiefs to road wins over the Buffalo Bills and the Baltimore Ravens, his first playoff games away from Arrowhead Stadium.

In addition to earning three Super Bowl titles and three Super Bowl MVP awards, Mahomes has been the NFL MVP twice and the Offensive Player of the Year once. He is also a six-time Pro Bowl selection in his six seasons as a starter.

–Field Level Media

Jan 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) passes the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

NFL Honors: Lamar Jackson wins second MVP

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson can add “two-time NFL Most Valuable Player” to his long list of accomplishments.

Jackson, 27, took home his second MVP award on Thursday night during the NFL Honors awards ceremony in Las Vegas. He was the overwhelming winner, receiving 49 of 50 first-place votes, with the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen getting the only dissenting vote.

“My offense, my offensive line, I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done,” Jackson said. “I’m not out there blocking, catching the ball, doing everything. It’s my team. It’s a team thing for these awards.”

Jackson led the Ravens to a 13-3 record during his 16 regular-season starts. He passed for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns, and he rushed for 821 yards and five scores.

He became the ninth player in the Super Bowl era to capture multiple MVPS, joining Peyton Manning (five), Aaron Rodgers (four), Tom Brady (three), Brett Favre (three), Patrick Mahomes (two), Joe Montana (two), Steve Young (two) and Kurt Warner (two).

Here is a look at the rest of Thursday’s award winners:

–Coach of the year: Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns

Stefanski guided the Browns to an 11-6 record despite injuries to key playmakers such as quarterback Deshaun Watson and running back Nick Chubb. It was the second coach of the year award for Stefanski, who won a tight vote over the Houston Texans’ DeMeco Ryans.

–Offensive player of the year: Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

McCaffrey led the NFL in rushing yards (1,459) and yards from scrimmage (2,023) and tied for first in touchdowns (21) during his first full season in San Francisco. He was the overwhelming winner, drawing 39 votes for first place compared with seven votes for the runner-up, Miami Dolphins wideout Tyreek Hill.

–Defensive player of the year: Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns

Garrett, 28, racked up 14 sacks, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery as the leader of the Browns’ defense. He also tallied 17 tackles for loss. Garrett narrowly edged T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers to claim his first defensive player of the year award.

–Offensive rookie of the year: C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans

Stroud earned the honor over Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, Los Angeles Rams wideout Puka Nacua and Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. The Texans quarterback passed for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions this season.

–Defensive rookie of the year: Will Anderson, Houston Texans

Anderson edged Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter to take home the award. The Texans were the second team in as many years to have the league’s offensive and defensive rookies of the year. Last year, the New York Jets had wide receiver Garrett Wilson win on offense and cornerback Sauce Gardner win on defense.

–Comeback player of the year: Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns

Flacco, who turned 39 in January, was sitting at home when the Browns had an emergency need at quarterback. The savvy veteran returned to the league to guide the Browns to four wins in his five starts. He finished with 1,616 passing yards and 13 touchdowns to lead Cleveland to the playoffs.

–Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year: Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers

Heyward was recognized for his charitable efforts and community service across 13 NFL seasons. His foundation, The Heyward House, promotes child literacy and helps children who are living with cancer or living in hunger. The foundation also supports teachers and students.

–Field Level Media

Jan 29, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) hands off to running back Christian McCaffrey (23) against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Christian McCaffrey, 4 QBs named finalists for MVP award

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San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey and four postseason quarterbacks were named the finalists for the NFL Most Valuable Player award, announced Thursday.

The Associated Press awards in eight categories, including MVP, will be handed out Feb. 8 at the 13th annual NFL Honors ceremony.

Joining McCaffrey as a finalist are his teammate, Brock Purdy, and Purdy’s fellow quarterbacks — Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills), Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens) and Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys).

Jackson earned MVP honors in 2019. Last year’s winner, Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, was not among the finalists.

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who triumphantly returned to play this season after going into cardiac arrest on the field during a game in Cincinnati in January 2023, led the finalists in the Comeback Player of the Year category.

The final group also included Joe Flacco, who went from out-of-work quarterback to leading the Cleveland Browns into the playoffs.

Finalists for all eight postseason awards are:

Most Valuable Player
–Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills quarterback
–Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens quarterback
–Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers running back
–Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys quarterback
–Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers quarterback

Defensive Player of the Year
–DaRon Bland, Dallas Cowboys cornerback
–Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end
–Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns defensive end
–Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys linebacker
–T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker

Offensive Player of the Year
–Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins wide receiver
–Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens quarterback
–CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
–Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers running back
–Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys quarterback

Offensive Rookie of the Year
–Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions running back
–Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions tight end
–Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
–Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons running back
–C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans quarterback

Defensive Rookie of the Year
–Will Anderson, Houston Texans defensive end
–Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle
–Joey Porter Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback
–Kobie Turner, Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle
–Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks cornerback

Comeback Player of the Year
–Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns quarterback
–Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills safety
–Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback
–Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams quarterback
–Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins quarterback

Coach of the Year
–Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions
–John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens
–DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans
–Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers
–Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns

Assistant Coach of the Year
–Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator
–Mike Macdonald, Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator
–Todd Monken, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator
–Jim Schwartz, Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator
–Bobby Slowik, Houston Texans offensive coordinator

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) warms up prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Lamar Jackson puts vice-grip on second MVP award

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Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh hasn’t decided if Lamar Jackson will play in Week 18, but it likely doesn’t matter when it comes to the NFL Most Valuable Player award.

Jackson all but locked up his second MVP in five years with his five-touchdown performance in Sunday’s 56-19 dismantling of the visiting Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Jackson, who assumed the lead in the MVP race following last week’s win at San Francisco, is now the -10000 favorite at BetMGM and -20000 favorite at DraftKings.

His closest competitors are Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott, who is +1800 at both books, and 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who is being offered at +2500 by BetMGM and +3000 by DraftKings.

Jackson’s main wart on his MVP resume had been modest passing stats, which included 19 touchdown passes through the first 15 games. He squashed that by throwing five against the Dolphins. That brings his total to 24, which would match the lowest total for an MVP-winning quarterback set by Tennessee’s Steve McNair.

Whether Jackson will have an opportunity to build on that total in the regular-season finale remains to be seen. The Ravens have clinched the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.

For his part, Jackson wants to play. Baltimore has a bye week ahead of its first playoff game, and Jackson recalled last week that the Ravens were upset in their playoff opener in his first MVP season in 2019.

“I’ve given a lot of thought to it, and it was all hypothetical until just now,” Harbaugh said about Jackson’s status for Week 18 following the Dolphins’ game. “I’m sure I’ll talk to Lamar, and I’m sure he’s going to want to play. But, we’re going to have to talk about that and decide what we want to do. You can only take six players out of the equation. There’s going to be injuries anyway, so it’s not like the preseason. You’re playing your team except for whoever you end up taking out.

“We’re going to have to have the conversation. We have not made any decision there yet.”

In addition to 24 touchdown passes and 3,678 passing yards, Jackson has rushed for 821 yards and another five scores through 16 games.

Ironically, it was the Steelers that Jackson sat out against in the 2019 regular-season finale, only for the Ravens to struggle offensively in an AFC Divisional Round upset to Tennessee.

“We remember 2019. It’s not something we’re going to forget,” Harbaugh said. “You’re not going to take it for granted. Not that we ever would, but it’s one more thing that makes you who you are at this point in time. We haven’t forgotten that.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 25, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) passes the football against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Lamar Jackson new MVP favorite as Brock Purdy plummets

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The NFL’s Most Valuable Player race took the primetime stage on Christmas night, and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson put together a performance that vaulted the 2019 award winner into the driver’s seat.

Jackson passed for 252 yards with a pair of touchdowns and also led the Ravens with 45 rushing yards in leading Baltimore to a 33-19 victory at San Francisco. Meanwhile, previous MVP favorite Brock Purdy suffered the worst outing of his young career, throwing four interceptions.

When the dust settled, Jackson moved to the odds-on MVP favorite at most sportsbooks. That includes being the -160 favorite at BetMGM and DraftKings. Meanwhile, Purdy dropped to fourth at +1200 at both books, and may have seen an end to his MVP aspirations for this season.

Purdy had stumped for teammate Christian McCaffrey for MVP honors last week, and the running back is now Jackson’s closest pursuer after rushing for 103 yards and adding another 28 as a receiver, accounting for 131 total yards.

McCaffrey vaulted from +1600 at BetMGM last week to +400 on Tuesday, while seeing his odds shorten from +1000 to +400 at DraftKings. Also moving ahead of Purdy was Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who is now being offered at +900 and +1000, respectively.

McCaffrey is seeking to become the first non-quarterback to win the award since running back Adrian Peterson accomplished the feat with the Minnesota Vikings in 2012.

If he does, it would be a painful result for sportsbooks. McCaffrey is the biggest MVP liability at BetMGM, where he has been backed by 8.3 percent of all money wagered since opening as a +10000 longshot.

McCaffrey has two more games to add to his 1,932 total yards and 21 touchdowns, with the 49ers closing the regular season at Washington and then at home against the Los Angeles Rams. Meanwhile, Jackson will go toe-to-toe in another high profile battle against Tagovailoa at home on Sunday before facing bitter rival Pittsburgh in Week 18.

Jackson has thrown for only 19 touchdowns through 15 games. The fewest ever for an MVP-winning quarterback was 24 by Tennessee’s Steve McNair, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.

However, Jackson has also rushed for 786 yards and five touchdowns. And his all-around importance to the Ravens’ offense was in full display as he continued to confound San Francisco’s stout defense on Monday night.

“I thought Lamar had an MVP performance,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “It takes a team to create a performance like that, but it takes a player to play at that level — to play at an MVP level — it takes a player to play that way. And Lamar was all over the field doing everything.”

Jackson’s touchdown total would be a bigger hindrance in most years, but this season has seen numerous players elevate to favorite status only to fall back.

Reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes opened the season as the favorite to repeat, but he has plummeted to +5000 at BetMGM and +3500 at DraftKings. He was passed early in the season by Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts, but then the Eagles went on a three-game losing skid and he currently sits at +3000 and +2500, respectively.

As painful as a McCaffrey MVP win would be for books, Hurts’ fall from the top perch helps ease the potential pain. He still leads all players with 10.6 percent of the total MVP bets at BetMGM. However, Jackson leads by a wide margin with 18.3 percent of the total money wagered since opening at +1600.

Jackson already has one MVP award on his resume, and distinctly remembers that was followed by a quick exit in the postseason.

“We know it was in 2019 when we were playing against (teams) like this (and) winning regular season games (and) when the time came, we didn’t finish the season,” Jackson said after Monday night’s game. “We’re just going to keep taking it a day at a time, a practice at a time and a game at a time. That’s all I’m focused on right now.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 17, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) celebrates following the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

49ers’ Brock Purdy now odds-on MVP favorite

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Brock Purdy can stump for teammate Christian McCaffrey all he likes, but the reality is that oddsmakers view the San Francisco 49ers’ second-year quarterback as the odds-on favorite to win Most Valuable Player honors this season.

Purdy is coming off a four-touchdown game in the 49ers’ Week 15 rout of Arizona. Meanwhile, two of his closest pursuers in the MVP race, Dallas’ Dak Prescott and Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts, suffered defeats that were surprising for separate reasons.

Purdy, who was the final pick of the NFL draft less than two years ago, now has a league-leading 29 touchdown passes against only seven interceptions while passing for 3,795 yards this season. He is now the -200 MVP favorite at DraftKings and has even shorter odds at -225 at BetMGM, where he leads all players with 11.7 percent of the money wagered backing Purdy to win MVP.

Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson remains firmly in the picture at +450 and +500, respectively, followed by Prescott, who is being offered at +700 by both books. Jackson does have a prime-time opportunity to go head-to-head against Purdy, with San Francisco set to play host to Baltimore on Monday Night Football on Christmas Day.

Purdy said after Sunday game that he believes the versatile McCaffrey should be leading the MVP race, and the running back is fourth at DraftKings (+1000) and fifth at BetMGM (+1,600). McCaffrey leads the league in carries (244) and rushing yards (1,292) and has amassed 20 total touchdowns through the 49ers’ first 14 games.

“I think Christian should be MVP,” Purdy told reporters. “I really do believe that. He does everything for us. Runs the ball well, catches the ball, he does everything. In my eyes, that’s the MVP.”

McCaffrey does remain BetMGM’s biggest liability in the MVP market, having drawn 7.9 percent of the money wagered since opening at +10000. He is also the odds-on favorite to win Offensive Player of the Year honors. McCaffrey is being offered at -150 by DraftKings and at -155 by BetMGM, where he leads with 13.1 percent of the total bets placed.

Hurts, who led the MVP race much of the season and still has been backed by the most total bets at BetMGM at 11.1 percent, has almost fallen out of the picture at +2000 and +1800 by BetMGM. The Eagles have loss three consecutive games, the most recent coming in a Monday night upset at Seattle against a Seahawks team that had dropped four consecutive games and started a backup quarterback.

Prescott remains in the picture, but his odds also took a significant hit after Sunday’s 31-10 blowout loss at Buffalo. In additional to failing to throw a touchdown for the first time since Week 1, Prescott threw his first interception in five games.

–Field Level Media

Dec 3, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) walks off the field after win against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Hardly Irrelevant: Brock Purdy new MVP favorite

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Could Brock Purdy go from Mr. Irrelevant to NFL Most Valuable Player in less than two years?

San Francisco’s quarterback is the +300 MVP favorite at DraftKings after leading the 49ers to a 42-19 victory at Philadelphia on Sunday. Not only did it serve notice that San Francisco might be the NFC’s most dominant team, but Purdy outplayed previous MVP favorite Jalen Hurts in his own building.

Hurts, who was the +250 favorite at the book just two weeks ago, dropped to +350. That’s equal to Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott, who is on his own rapid rise after opening the Week 13 slate with his sixth consecutive multiple-touchdown game in a comeback win over Seattle on Thursday night.

The trio are the +350 co-favorites at BetMGM. There is then a significant gap to two previous MVPs — Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson at +600 and Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes at +750, followed by Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa at +800.

Jackson and Mahomes are being offered at +900 at DraftKings after being +350 and +400, respectively, just two weeks ago. Tagovailoa has shorter odds than both at the book, where he is +700.

Jackson’s Ravens are coming off their bye week and are tied with Tagovailoa’s Dolphins atop the AFC at 9-3. He will have plenty of opportunity to state his case down the stretch with a Week 15 game at Jacksonville followed by a cross-country trip to battle Purdy in San Francisco ahead of a Week 17 home game against Tagovailoa and Miami that could decide home-field advantage in the AFC.

Mahomes and the Chiefs have fallen a game off the pace following their loss at Green Bay on Sunday night — Kansas City’s third loss in its past five games. Mahomes, the reigning MVP, does not have any remaining games against other MVP candidates, although the Chiefs also play only one more team that currently has a winning record.

Meanwhile, Purdy has plenty of opportunity to continue to shine on the national stage.

San Francisco plays host to Seattle on Sunday, followed by a game at Arizona before the Week 16 tilt against Baltimore on “Monday Night Football.” The 49ers close out the regular season with a trip to reeling Washington and a home game against the Los Angeles Rams.

After a slow first quarter, Purdy led San Francisco to touchdown drives on six consecutive possessions at Philadelphia. He finished the game with 314 passing yards and four touchdowns. Critics will point out that his receivers racked up 212 yards after the catch and that 48.5 percent of Purdy’s passing yards this season have been the result of YAC.

However, Purdy has already outplayed Hurst and Prescott in head-to-head blowouts by San Francisco, and he’ll have an opportunity for a third signature win against Jackson and the Ravens.

Purdy leads the NFL in completion percentage and quarterback rating.

The 49ers (9-3) are now second in the NFC behind the Eagles (10-2), whose next two games are at the Cowboys (9-3) and Seahawks (6-6). How the NFC playoff picture looks after the next several weeks could have a major factor in how the MVP race shakes out.

–Field Level Media

Nov 26, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) in action against the Buffalo Bills at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts charging toward first MVP award

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Jalen Hurts’ latest dramatic comeback victory has helped the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback put more distance between himself and his closest pursuers for the Most Valuable Player award.

Hurts threw for three touchdowns and ran for the game-winning score in overtime in Philadelphia’s 37-34 win over Buffalo on Sunday. With 3,107 total yards and 29 combined touchdowns in the Eagles’ 10-1 start, Hurts is the +130 MVP favorite at DraftKings and is +140 at BetMGM.

With 11 rushing touchdowns through 11 games, Hurts is on pace for 17 this season. That would smash the NFL record for a quarterback held by Cam Newton with 14 for the Carolina Panthers in 2011. Hurts already holds the second-highest mark with 13 last year.

Hurts was the +250 MVP favorite at DraftKings entering last week, but saw those odds shorten following the game-winning drive to beat the Bills a week after leading a come-from-behind win at Kansas City. He has drawn the most MVP bets and total money at the book. Hurts is also the biggest liability at BetMGM, where he has been backed by 12.3 percent of the total bets.

His closest pursuer continues to be reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes, who is being offered at +350 by both books. Third is Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is +400 at DraftKings and +500 at BetMGM.

The top non-quarterback candidate is San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey. Offered at +1600 by DraftKings, McCaffrey has longer +2500 odds at BetMGM, where he is the biggest liability for Offensive Player of the Year honors while being backed by 21.0 percent of the money wagered thus far.

AWARDS ODDS (BetMGM)
NFL MVP
–Highest Ticket%: Jalen Hurts 12.3%
–Highest Handle%: Patrick Mahomes 12.2%
–Biggest Liability: Jalen Hurts
–Odds Leader: Jalen Hurts +140

Offensive Player of the Year
–Highest Ticket%: Christian McCaffrey 12.0%
–Highest Handle%: Christian McCaffrey 21.0%
–Biggest Liability: Christian McCaffrey
–Odds Leader: Tyreek Hill -105

Defensive Player of the Year
–Highest Ticket%: Aidan Hutchinson 15.8%
–Highest Handle%: Micah Parsons 22.8%
–Biggest Liability: Aidan Hutchinson
–Odds Leader: Myles Garrett +150

Comeback Player of the Year
–Highest Ticket%: Russell Wilson 12.7%
–Highest Handle%: Damar Hamlin 47.2%
–Biggest Liability: Russell Wilson
–Odds Leader: Damar Hamlin -150

Coach of the Year
–Highest Ticket%: Dan Campbell 37.5%
–Highest Handle%: Dan Campbell 41.3%
–Biggest Liability: Dan Campbell
–Odds Leader: Dan Campbell +160

Offensive Rookie of the Year – off the board
–Highest Ticket%: Jahmyr Gibbs 19.9%
–Highest Handle%: Bijan Robinson 22.4%
–Biggest Liability: Jahmyr Gibbs
–Odds Leader: Off the board

Defensive Rookie of the Year
–Highest Ticket%: Jalen Carter 20.7%
–Highest Handle%: Jalen Carter 33.6%
–Biggest Liability: Jalen Carter
–Odds Leader: Jalen Carter -250

–Field Level Media

Nov 20, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws a pass during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles new SB favorites as Jalen Hurts’ MVP odds shorten

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The Philadelphia Eagles left Kansas City with a statement victory on Monday night that impacted both the Super Bowl and Most Valuable Player odds.

The most highly anticipated regular-season game on the 2023 schedule lived up to the hype, with the Eagles overcoming a 10-point halftime deficit to stun the Chiefs, 21-17.

Philadelphia improved to 9-1 and enters Week 12 with a one-game cushion over the Detroit Lions in the race for home-field advantage in the NFC.

That contributed to the Eagles’ Super Bowl odds shortening from +550 to +450 at DraftKings, where they are now the title favorites ahead of the Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers at +475. Meanwhile, the same three teams are co-favorites at +450 at BetMGM, where Philadelphia also shifted from +550.

Kansas City (7-3) is now second in the AFC standings, a half-game behind the Baltimore Ravens (8-3) and equal with Jacksonville, Miami and Cleveland. The Ravens saw their Super Bowl odds trimmed from +950 to +850 at DraftKings, while the Browns’ victory over Pittsburgh led to their title odds shortening from +5000 to +3500.

Monday night’s game also had an impact on the MVP odds.

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts managed only 150 passing yards and threw an interception, but he did rush for a pair of touchdowns on 12 carries. He remained the MVP favorite at DraftKings, with his odds shortening from +280 to +250.

The Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson were both +300 last week, but Jackson’s shifted to +350 while Mahomes moved to +400 following the loss.

Mahomes threw a pair of interceptions against Philadelphia and was plagued by numerous drops by his receivers, including three on the final drive that ended with Justin Watson unable to haul in a fourth-and-25 pass.

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has the fourth-shortest odds at +500, followed by the 49ers’ Brock Purdy and the Cowboys’ Dak Prescott at +1500. Houston Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud moved from +2500 to +1800.

Hurts also leads the way at BetMGM, where he is +250, followed by Jackson (+400), Mahomes (+450) and Tagovailoa (+500). No other player has shorter than Purdy’s at +1600.

The book reported that Hurts is its biggest MVP liability as he has been backed by the most total bets at 12.3 percent. Mahomes has drawn the most money at 12.9 percent.

NFL AWARDS ODDS (BetMGM)
NFL MVP
–Highest Ticket %: Jalen Hurts 12.3%
–Highest Handle %: Patrick Mahomes 12.9%
–Biggest Liability: Jalen Hurts
–Odds Leader: Jalen Hurts +250

Offensive Player of the Year
–Highest Ticket %: Christian McCaffrey 11.8%
–Highest Handle %: Christian McCaffrey 21.0%
–Biggest Liability: Christian McCaffrey
–Odds Leader: Tyreek Hill +110

Defensive Player of the Year
–Highest Ticket %: Aidan Hutchinson 16.1%
–Highest Handle %: Micah Parsons 23.6%
–Biggest Liability: Aidan Hutchinson
–Odds Leader: Myles Garrett +100

Comeback Player of the Year
–Highest Ticket %: Russell Wilson 13.0%
–Highest Handle %: Damar Hamlin 46.1%
–Biggest Liability: Russell Wilson
–Odds Leader: Damar Hamlin -150

Coach of the Year
–Highest Ticket %: Dan Campbell 37.8%
–Highest Handle %: Dan Campbell 42.0%
–Biggest Liability: Dan Campbell
–Odds Leader: Dan Campbell +125

Offensive Rookie of the Year
–Highest Ticket %: Jahmyr Gibbs 26.3%
–Highest Handle %: Bijan Robinson 22.4%
–Biggest Liability: Jahmyr Gibbs
–Odds Leader: CJ Stroud -3000

Defensive Rookie of the Year
–Highest Ticket %: Jalen Carter 20.9%
–Highest Handle %: Jalen Carter 34.1%
–Biggest Liability: Jalen Carter
–Odds Leader: Jalen Carter -175

–Field Level Media

Sep 24, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) drops back to pass against the Denver Broncos in the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Sportsbooks place Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa back atop MVP race

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Tua Tagovailoa ended Week 3 of the 2023 season with precisely the same standing he had the season before: red-hot and running ahead of the competition in NFL MVP futures odds.

Tagovailoa is +325 to win MVP this season at BetMGM and +350 at FanDuel after his Miami Dolphins put up 70 points in a 50-point win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday. The effort pushed Tagovailoa ahead of reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes (+440 at FanDuel, +550 at BetMGM) and Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

Allen (+750 at FanDuel, +800 at BetMGM) and Tagovailoa face off Sunday in Buffalo for the first of two scheduled meetings this season.

Thanks to six TD passes in Week 2 at Baltimore and a win over the Bills the following week, Tagovailoa jumped to the top of the MVP futures market entering Week 4 last season as well.

His numbers one year ago are identical to his start this season: 3-0 record, eight TD passes, completion percentage of 71.

The course of the season and Tagovailoa’s health took a turn for the worse in Week 4 last season. The Dolphins lost at Cincinnati, 27-15, and Tagovailoa left the game with a head injury. He missed the next two games and by the time he returned to form with three consecutive three-TD games from Oct. 30-Nov. 13, Mahomes’ MVP candidacy was nearing victory lap stages.

Tagovailoa has been sacked only once this season and he’s averaging a league-leading 10.14 yards per attempt.

–Field Level Media