NFL MVP Race 2023-24: Latest Predictions After Updated Odds Entering Week 18

NFL MVP Race 2023-24: Latest Predictions After Updated Odds Entering Week 180 of 3

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There may be one game left on the NFL schedule, but the race for this year’s MVP is all but complete.

Heading into Week 18, three quarterbacks (unsurprisingly) find themselves atop the Vegas odds to win the league’s top honor.

One, a mainstay in the conversation all season, has taken a step back thanks to some recent struggles. Two other signal-callers have risen above players like San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey and Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill. And one of those quarterbacks, having moved into frontrunner position, looks poised to remain there through the end of the vote.

Let’s take a closer look at the current odds for NFL MVP and break down the top three players’ chances of capturing the award.

Lamar Jackson (-20000)1 of 3

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In the world of the NFL, there’s no such thing as a sure bet. But Lamar Jackson becoming the 11th player in league history to earn MVP honors multiple times seems like a foregone conclusion after his performance in the Baltimore Ravens’ 56-19 win over the Miami Dolphins.

En route to the Ravens clinching the AFC’s No. 1 seed, Jackson amassed 321 yards and five passing touchdowns for a perfect passer rating. Under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Jackson has already set a new career high in completions (307) and yards (3,678). And he’s averaging fewer rushing attempts per game (9.25) and rushing yards per game (51.3) since becoming the starter in Baltimore.

Jackson has evolved, but Baltimore’s offense has too. And it’s been the perfect recipe to see him win his second career MVP award…if not his first Lombardi Trophy.

Dak Prescott (+1800)2 of 3

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Though Lamar Jackson was already the odds-on favorite to be named NFL MVP before strengthening his position in Week 17, he wasn’t the only one to do so.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott moved up five spots to sit just behind Jackson in the odds thanks in large part to a statement win over the Detroit Lions.

The officiating controversy at the end of the game Saturday that reversed a Lions two-point conversion was the lingering impression from that Week 17 matchup, but it would be unfair not to appreciate how pivotal Prescott was in keeping the Cowboys in it. Early in the game, Prescott showed tremendous poise when he avoided taking a safety on third-and-13 before finding CeeDee Lamb on what would become the first 90-yard play from scrimmage this season. Dallas was trailing 13-10 in the fourth quarter before Prescott found Brandin Cooks in the end zone.

It’s unlikely Prescott will be able to overtake Jackson in the MVP odds in the Cowboys’ final game of the season against the Washington Commanders. But in multiple games this season with playoff-like implications, he’s impressed, all while amassing the most passing touchdowns and fourth-most yards this season.

Brock Purdy (+3000)3 of 3

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Brock Purdy has put together an exceptional season so far, with the second-most passing yards, second-most passing touchdowns and a whopping 9.6 yards per attempt.

With him leading the way, the San Francisco 49ers opened the season on a five-game win streak, then regained their footing after a three-game skid to win six in a row, including a statement victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13.

A Week 16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, however, served as a double-whammy for Purdy; not only did he take a dramatic fall in the MVP odds after throwing four picks, but Jackson made a jump with his performance and has continued climbing since.

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