Several Candidates Emerging For MVP This Season

A player will not earn MVP honors for his performance in the first three games of the season. But without a strong start to the season, it can be challenging for someone to make their case when the season ends.

Three weeks into the NFL, it does not look like there will be a shortage of worthy candidates.

So far, Russell Wilson is the favorite at (+175; odds via DraftKings) after throwing 14 touchdown passes and just one interception while leading Seattle to a 3-0 start. With his career track record and success with the Seahawks, it is surprising that he has not won an MVP already.

However, if he can keep performing as he has been—and Seattle keeps winning – his chances will be good this year.

But he is going to have some intense competition.

Last season’s MVP, Lamar Jackson (+1400), is off to a good start once again. But after a disastrous performance on Monday Night Football (15-28 for 97 yards and one touchdown; nine carries for 83 yards) against the Chiefs, his odds have gotten a lot longer.

His increase in his odds could, in part, be due to how well his counterpart, Patrick Mahomes (+250, played Monday night.  The 2018 MVP completed 31 of 42 passes for 385 yards and four touchdowns.

The last two MVPs are not the only competition Wilson is going to face this year. Like Wilson, Aaron Rodgers (+700) is off to a strong start with almost 900 yards passing, nine touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Kyler Murray (+2000) looked like a strong candidate after the first two games of the season. But after throwing three interceptions and losing to the Detroit Lions, he will have some work to do if he is going to win.

Cam Newton (+2000) has made himself a candidate after getting the Patriots off to a 3-0 start. While he has played well, it is hard to say he has had an MVP-type season. Comeback player of the year? Yes. But MVP—not yet.

Tom Brady’s name (+2000) is still in the conversation. The Buccaneers quarterback is not off to a great start this season, though. Dak Prescott (+2200) remains in MVP talks with the huge statistical performances he has had. If the Cowboys don’t start winning games, though, his name will fall off the list fast.

However, the surprise of the season is the emergence of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (+1600). Many held him in high regard coming out of Wyoming a couple of years ago. But his first two seasons in the league were not impressive.

However, that could have, in part, been because the Bills were a run-first, defensive team. This season, though, the Bills have become a passing team—primarily due to Allen’s play.

Three weeks in, he ranks second in the league in passing yards (1038), second in touchdowns (ten), fourth in QBR (85.0), and has the second-best passer rating (124.8).

It is impossible to tell who is going to win MVP honors three weeks into the season. There is too much football left to be played to dub anyone the winner. We can, however, make some reasonable guesses as to who you should bet on.

The safe answer, of course, is either Russell Wilson or Patrick Mahomes. Both are playing exceptionally well right now, and there is no reason to think that will change. Between the two, Wilson is probably the better bet. There seems to be a lot of interest in him finally winning an MVP this season.

However, do not overlook Josh Allen. If he can keep up his level of play for the remainder of the season, it would not be shocking if Wilson came up short again.