Josh Allen has been considered the front-runner to win the NFL MVP award for much of the latter half of the 2024 season. His Buffalo Bills look as dominant as ever as we approach the postseason, and he has limited his turnovers this year by throwing just 6 interceptions to go along with his other impressive numbers.
Jackson Closes In On Allen In NFL MVP Race
As recently as a couple of weeks ago, Allen was running away with the award. Some outlets had him listed as a favorite with a designation as low as -800, which are implied odds of nearly 90%. But no quarterback has performed as well as two-time MVP Lamar Jackson over the past three games, and the Baltimore Ravens quarterback has closed the gap between him and Allen on the odds board.
Before the Ravens game against the Giants on December 15th, Jackson was listed all the way back at +750 on the odds board. He had the second-shortest odds of any player to win the NFL MVP trophy for the third time in his career, but was still considered a long shot with his betting designation. But he had perhaps his best game of the season against New York in Week 15, posting 5 touchdown passes and completing 21 of his 25 attempts, while also rushing for 65 yards.
LAMAR JACKSON IS COMING TO TOWN. #NFLonNetflix#BALvsHOU on @Netflix pic.twitter.com/YwqfIlRs3m
— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2024
Last Saturday’s game against Pittsburgh saw Jackson contribute three passing touchdowns, but he truly made his mark on the MVP race on Christmas Day. He didn’t throw much against the Texans, attempting just 15 passes on the day. But he contributed three total touchdowns, including a 48-yard scamper on his way to 87 yards on the ground to go with his 168 through the air.
Jackson Now Sits At +180, According To DraftKings
In the span of 10 days, Lamar Jackson dropped his MVP odds from +750 to where they currently stand at +180. During that short stretch, he threw for 665 yards, rushed for 174 (and set the all-time NFL record for QBs), and contributed 11 total touchdowns and threw just one interception. The Ravens went 3-0.
As it stands today, according to DraftKings, Allen is still considered a heavy favorite with a -240 designation. But that number could be subject to change, pending how well he performs during the final two games of the season for the Bills. Against New England last week, Allen had one of his worst games of the 2024 season, which opened the door for Jackson to gain some ground. Buffalo will take on two familiar opponents in the Jets and Patriots to close out the season, and he’ll be chasing the MVP award that many believe he should have won in 2023.
Saquon Barkley is third on the odds board, but his designation is all the way back at +1400. Jared Goff (+3500) and Joe Burrow (+8000) round out the top-5.
