MVP… MVP… MVP….
Another dominant performance by the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback not only clinched the team a playoff berth and strengthened its hold on the NFC’s top seed, but also turned the MVP race, which had been a runaway for Patrick Mahomes just a few weeks ago, into a dead heat with four weeks to go in the regular season. According to the most recent PointsBet odds, Hurts and Mahomes are the only true candidates, with no clear favorite.
Jalen Hurts, Eagles QB: +100 (+175 last week)
Hurts was +500 to win MVP after the Eagles’ loss to Washington. He’s number one with a bullet four weeks later. In three wins over the Packers, Titans, and Giants, he has 996 yards of total offense, nine total touchdowns, and led his team to 123 points. That is the most points scored by the Eagles in a three-game span in 72 years! Oh, and he sat out the final nine minutes of the Giants game and the final 11 minutes of the Tennessee game. He can beat you in whatever way you want. You take pride in stopping the run? He’ll hit 300 yards and more. Do you like to stymie the passing game? He has the ability to tuck the ball and run all over you. He has 30 touchdowns and only three interceptions while throwing and running. Next week should be another road game against the Bears.
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs quarterback: +150
Mahomes’ lead in the MVP race has been eroding in recent weeks, and he has another mediocre performance against a Denver Broncos team that prides itself on its defense. Mahomes threw for 352 yards and three touchdowns, but he also threw three interceptions – the same number as Hurts has this season. Mahomes leads the league in passing yards (4,160) and touchdown passes (33), but he also ranks third in interceptions. Hurts has one more interception in his last 24 games. Next week, Mahomes and the Chiefs will face the Texans, who gave the Cowboys everything they could handle on Sunday.
Joe Burrow, Bengals quarterback: +1000 (up from +800 last week).
Burrow was solid, if not spectacular, as the Browns were defeated for the first time in his career. He threw for 239 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. He has the Bengals on a roll, with five straight wins to keep pace with the Ravens atop the AFC North, but they face the Buccaneers next week in Tampa.
Josh Allen, Bills quarterback: +1800 (+1100 last week).
Allen and the Bills beat the Jets at home on Sunday, but his MVP chances took a hit because his numbers didn’t stand out. He only threw for 147 yards and ran for 47 more as Buffalo won 20-12. It’s the fourth week in a row he hasn’t surpassed 240 yards passing, and only Matt Ryan has turned the ball over more times this season than Allen’s 15. The Dolphins visit Buffalo the following week.
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins QB: +2500 (+1200 last week).
Tagovailoa’s chances took a huge hit this week when he completely fumbled on national television against the Chargers, who have one of the worst defenses in the NFL. In a 23-17 loss that was more one-sided than the score suggests, he finished 10-for-28 for 145 yards, 60 of which came on his lone touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill. That’s two straight flops for a candidate who couldn’t afford to have even one. He’s had a year that surpassed most people’s expectations, especially after suffering a horrific head injury, but it won’t be enough. The AFC East showdown with the Bills next week, on the other hand, should be entertaining.