Josh Allen leads, Saquon Barkley is on the rise in the MVP race

Week 13 on Sunday is certain and with it the positioning in the playoffs becomes increasingly clear, as does the race for the NFL MVP. According to the latest NFL MVP odds, the favorite for the league’s most prestigious award has his first odds on the favorite in 2024.

The Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns play on Monday Night Football before the end of Week 13, but there’s a two-way race in the MVP odds.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson is the reigning MVP and has been the favorite for most of the season, according to BetMGM’s NFL MVP odds. That was until week 11, when the Buffalo Bills defeated the undefeated and reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs.

The Bills’ Josh Allen overtook the field and has been the favorite in the NFL MVP odds ever since, but Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has moved into the MVP race with five weeks to go.

NFL MVP odds

Here are the players who are the favorites for the NFL MVP award after 13 weeks of action, according to BetMGM on Monday:

NFL STATISTICS CENTER: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

1. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills: -250

Allen has never won an MVP award, but has finished in the top five votes in three of his last four seasons. He was runner-up to Aaron Rodgers in 2020 and a finalist in 2022 (third place) and 2023 (fifth place). After defeating the undefeated Chiefs in Week 11, he overtook reigning MVP Lamar Jackson as the favorite.

The Bills have won seven straight games and secured the AFC East division title after their impressive 35-10 win on “Sunday Night Football” over the reigning NFC champion 49ers. Buffalo has a 10-2 record and is in the running for the top spot in the AFC. They’ll try to chase and catch the Chiefs (11-1) over the final five weeks.

Allen is sixth in the NFL with 20 passing touchdowns. He was a wrecking ball, rushing for 334 yards and six touchdowns. Allen has protected the ball with just five interceptions and one fumble this season. The Bills have scored at least 30 points in six straight games.

Allen put his stamp on the award after defeating the 49ers on a snowy night at Orchard Park. The highlight of his night was a ridiculous play in which Amari Cooper threw the ball back to Allen and he dove for the pylon for a touchdown.

2. Saquon Barkley, RB Philadelphia Eagles: +325

The last time a non-quarterback won the NFL MVP award was in 2012, when running back Adrian Peterson won. He finished that season with 2,097 rushing yards. Before Peterson, it was LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006 who scored 28 touchdowns and more than 1,800 rushing yards. History suggests a quarterback will win, but Barkley makes his case as the Eagles have won eight straight and are pushing the Lions into first place in the NFC.

Barkley managed 107 rushing yards in the Eagles’ win over the Ravens. He became the first player to rush for 100 yards against the Ravens’ league-leading run defense. He has 1,499 yards on the ground in 12 games, putting him on pace to finish with 2,123 yards and break the single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards set by Eric Dickerson in 1984. Only eight players have reached 2,000 rushing yards.

3. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens: +1100

The Ravens have lost two of their last three games and are heading into their bye in Week 14 after losing to Barkley and the Eagles. Jackson was considered a favorite through the first two months of the season, but since losing to the division rival Steelers in Week 11 ( 18-16), Jackson fell behind Allen and Barkley.

Last season, Baltimore secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC and Jackson received the MVP award for the second time in his career. The Ravens are currently 8-5 and it will be difficult for Jackson to clinch his third MVP award if they don’t at least win the AFC North. Jackson is second in passing yards (3,290) and passing touchdowns (29).

4. Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions: +1100

Goff continues to lead the NFL with an astronomical 71.8% completion rate. The record is held by Drew Brees with 74.4% in 2018. Goff is fifth in passing touchdowns (22) and eighth in passing yards (2,982).

The Lions have the best record in the NFC at 11-1 and lead the league in points. Detroit has won 10 straight and their 11-1 record is the best record in franchise history through 12 games.

Detroit’s schedule will give Goff a chance to show he is worthy of the MVP award. The Lions host the Packers in Week 14 on “Thursday Night Football.” This is followed by a clash with MVP favorite Josh Allen and the Bills. Goff’s ultimate test comes in Week 17, with a chance to atone for the NFC Championship loss on the road to the 49ers on “Monday Night Football.” He can claim MVP honors if he continues to perform at a high level against these opponents.

5. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs: +2500

The two-time NFL MVP and reigning Super Bowl MVP is on pace to have the worst statistical season of his career. He’s on pace for his fewest passing touchdowns in a single season (26), his most interceptions in a season (15), his lowest passing yardage total since 2019 – a season in which he played just 14 games – and the worst pass rating of his career (92.2).

Since Mahomes came up short against Allen and the Bills in Week 11, the Chiefs have won two straight over the last two weeks against the weak Panthers and Raiders. However, the reigning Super Bowl champions narrowly escaped both games. Mahomes has had zero turnovers in the last two games, but his stats are still far behind those of his peers. Mahomes will need a historic run over the last month to push himself into the MVP race.

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Josh Allen leads, Saquon Barkley is on the rise in the MVP race

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