NFL MVP rankings: Patrick Mahomes takes lead in odds over Josh Allen in Week 5
Week 5 of the NFL season features six divisional games and multiple matchups with potential playoff implications. Early AFC favorites Buffalo and Houston face off in the early slate, as do AFC North foes Baltimore and Cincinnati. And then there's a measure of revenge when the undefeated Minnesota Vikings and quarterback Sam Darnold take on his former team, the New York Jets, in London.
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All of these games could affect the MVP race early in the season. Ahead of Week 5's games, here's how the top five look by NFL odds from BetMGM:
NFL MVP odds Week 5
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T-4. QB Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (+1100)
The Vikings are the lone undefeated team left in the NFC behind a standout defense and a prolific offense led by Darnold. He leads the league in passer rating (118.9) and passing touchdowns (11) entering Week 5. If he keeps things up in London against a strong Jets defense in Week 5, he could close the gap to the front-runners before Minnesota's Week 6 bye.
T-4. QB C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (+1100)
The Texans are 3-1 behind one of the best passing offenses in the league. Stroud entered Week 5 fourth in the NFL in passing yards (1,054) after his best performance of the season against Jacksonville in Week 4. Stroud and the Texans take on early MVP favorite Josh Allen and the Bills at home on Sunday. That game could have playoff and potential MVP implications.
3. QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (+1000)
The defending MVP winner is rounding into form with five touchdowns in the last two weeks, including Baltimore's dominant 35-10 win over Buffalo at home in prime time in Week 4. The Ravens have the top rushing attack in the league with Jackson and running back Derrick Henry. Jackson doesn't have the same counting stats as some of the other names on this list but he's been one of the most efficient in the league; he sits third in the NFL in total expected points added (EPA) in 2024, per Sumer Sports.
2. QB Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (+275)
Allen was in the driver's seat for the award entering Week 4 but Buffalo's loss to Baltimore dropped him down to second. Despite the loss, Buffalo still has the second-best scoring offense in the league and Allen is second in total EPA and tied for first in EPA per play. A win on Sunday against Houston on the road behind a strong performance by Allen could see him take the lead once again.
1. QB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (+240)
Mahomes leads the odds thanks to the Chiefs' 4-0 start but he's not putting up his usual stats at this time of year. His five interceptions through the first four weeks of the season are a career-high to start the year and he's yet to break 300 yards in a game. The Chiefs are middle-of-the-pack in scoring (14th) and yards (15th) but Mahomes keeps making the right plays at the right time to win. Overcoming Rashee Rice's injury will be tough but it's tough to bet against the two-time MVP.
Next five: QB Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (+1400); QB Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (+2500); QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals, QB Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys, QB Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (+3000)