Is Lamar Jackson The Best Bet For 2021 NFL MVP? Oddsmakers Favor Mahomes, Allen, Rodgers

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens waves … [+] from the sidelines during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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Preseason is underway, and the odds to win this year’s NFL MVP are seeing quite a bit of action. With quarterbacks having taken home the title in 13 of the last 14 seasons, its no shock to see the odds board led by the best signal callers in the league.

Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes is the current betting favorite to take home this season’s NFL MVP title, but is the +450 price tag justified considering all of the talent on the board?

The Chiefs fell just short of their Super Bowl aspirations last season, where Mahomes was forced to play through a leg injury and behind a depleted O-line in the biggest game of the season.

Tom Brady might have walked away with the Super Bowl ring, but sportsbooks and bettors alike are convinced that Mahomes will be the most valuable player to suit up for his team this season. Healthy and with most of his offensive line returning, all signs suggest that Mahomes will once again rule the league with his dual-threat attack.

Josh Allen and Matthew Stafford fall in next on the odds grid, lined at +850 and +1000 respectively.

Aaron Rodgers sits a bit further down the board at +1400, with oddsmakers expecting the Packers’ signal caller to bury the hatchet with the front office and focus on the game. At least for this season.

Rodgers, last season’s MVP winner, has been vocal with his disdain for the Green Bay management, and Aaron claimed that he would not return if changes at the GM position were not made in the offseason.

After reporting to practice, fans and pundits hope that it is all about the game now for Rodgers and Co. He ended the 2020 season with the 2nd best passer rating in the leagues history, with his 121.5 rating just falling short of the 122.5 passer rating he himself set in 2011.

Real Betting Value Hiding In Baltimore

Naturally Tom Brady sits high on the board at +1200, but Lamar Jackson and his +1600 odds look to hold the best value on the board. Jackson took home the MVP title in 2019, and its easy to make the case that the Ravens’ QB has greatly improved since then.

Looking at the names listed above Jackson on the odds boards, its clear that Lamar is the most mobile of the group. Mahomes is considered to be a running threat as well, but Jackson’s 19 career-rushing touchdowns dwarf the 6 Patrick has to his name.

Add Jackson’s ground game to his improved passing, and Lamar is easily the best of the group when it comes to combining an accurate air attack with the rushing ability to keep defenses on their toes.

Now in his fourth year with the organization, Jackson is expected to look more settled and comfortable with his decisions under center. The additions of Michael Crabtree and Willie Snead give him veteran targets, and draft selections Tylan Wallase and Rashod Bateman will give the QB more options with his looks down the field.

2021 NFL MVP Odds Via BetOnline.AG