NFL MVP rankings: Mahomes is still favorite, Stroud and Rodgers rising in odds
The slew of upsets during Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season were perhaps a sign that the league is more wide open than anticipated this year, but they did not necessarily upset the early MVP race.
The preseason favorites for the award all remained the same in futures betting market, with Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes leading the way and Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud emerging as a trendy pick. MVP odds did fluctuate up and down because of what happened during the first two games.
Lamar Jackson, the reigning MVP, isn't among the top five contenders, according to BetMGM, after an 0-2 start. New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is among the new names rising into the mix after so many surprising results. There's still plenty of time left for more movement based on which teams wind up having the best regular season.
Here's how the 2024 NFL MVP race is shaping up ahead of Week 3, with players ranked in order of current betting odds, courtesy of BetMGM:
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NFL MVP rankings: Odds ahead of Week 3
T-5. Aaron Rodgers, QB, New York Jets (+2000)
- Last week: +2000
Rodgers enters the fray this week after getting his first win as the Jets starting quarterback. He completed 18 of his 30 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns in New York's 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans. Rodgers is a longshot MVP at this point in his career, but getting the Jets back to the playoffs for the first time since 2011 would be a compelling argument. They host the New England Patriots on Thursday night in Week 3.
T-5. Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers (+2000)
- Last week: +1800
Purdy ascends into the top five for MVP odds even though his odds to win dropped slightly this week after 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was placed on injured reserve for at least four more games. Though San Francisco's immediate fortunes took a hit, Purdy's offensive role could expand with McCaffrey out. He was 28 of 36 for 319 yards with one touchdown and one interception passing in the 49ers' 23-17 loss at Minnesota in Week 2. San Francisco is on the road for a division game against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3.
T-5. Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals (+2000)
- Last week: (+1400)
Burrow stays among the top five of the MVP race, but his odds are falling after another 0-2 start to the season for the Bengals. Though Cincinnati has dug out of this kind of hole with Burrow before, concerns about Ja'Marr Chase's contract dispute with the team and Burrow's surgically repaired wrist are new wrinkles. But based on ESPN's QBR, Burrow had one of the better performances of Week 2 and outplayed Patrick Mahomes in Cincinnati's 26-25 loss at Kansas City. Burrow finished 23 of 36 for 258 yards and two touchdowns. The Bengals host the Washington Commanders on Monday night in Week 3.
4. Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles (+1200)
- Last week: (+1000)
Hurts' MVP odds dropped slightly after the Eagles suffered a late collapse in their 22-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday. But his ceiling as a dual-threat can't be discounted so long as he stays healthy and Philadelphia is a playoff team again this season. Hurts completed 23 of 30 passes for 183 yards and one touchdown and ran for 85 yards and a touchdown in Week 2. He also threw an interception. Philadelphia will try to get back on track in Week 3 at New Orleans.
3. C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans (+550)
- Last week: +900
Stroud's odds continued to rise this week after the Texans' 19-13 win over the Chicago Bears in Week 2. Houston is 2-0 for the first time since 2016, although it struggled offensively in the second half against the Bears. Stroud has thrown for 494 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions and Texans wide receiver Nico Collins leads the league with 252 receiving yards through two games. Houston faces a road game against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3.
2. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills (+450)
- Last week: +550
Allen is solidly entrenched as an early favorite in the NFL MVP race, although his numbers weren't prolific in Week 2 because the Buffalo Bills blew out the Miami Dolphins, 31-10. Allen was 13 of 19 for 139 yards and one touchdown. After running nine times for 39 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1, his legs were hardly needed as the Bills improved to 2-0. Buffalo hosts Jacksonville on Monday in Week 3.
1. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs (+300)
- Last week: +400
This hasn't been the best statistical start to a season during Mahomes' incredible run as the Chiefs' starting quarterback, but he continues to deliver in the game's biggest moments. So he remains the MVP favorite heading into Week 3. Mahomes had an uneven performance in Kansas City's Week 2 win over the Bengals. He threw for 151 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions and then led the Chiefs on a late drive to set up the game-winning field goal (but not without some controversy). Kansas City is on the road against the Falcons in Week 3.
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