As the 2024 NFL season reaches its crescendo, the spotlight shifts to the contenders for one of the league's most prestigious accolades: the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. With only three weeks left in the season, the race has tightened, and a panel of 17 NFL experts has cast their votes to shed light on the frontrunners.
Josh Allen: Leading the Pack
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen currently sits atop the MVP leaderboard with an impressive 61 points. Allen not only leads in total points but also garners 13 first-place votes, a testament to his dominant performance throughout the season. Highlighting this achievement is his prowess in scoring, as he has tied for the most total touchdowns among all quarterbacks with 37. This commanding performance has made him the favorite according to betting platforms, with FanDuel listing his odds at -900.
The Chase: Barkley and Jackson
Trailing Allen in the race is New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, who has accumulated 46 points. Barkley’s influence on the field is evident, appearing on 15 out of 17 MVP ballots. Despite facing long odds of +1800 according to FanDuel, his nomination highlights his vital role in the Giants' offensive strategy.
In third place stands Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson with 37 points. As a former MVP, Jackson remains a credible threat to Allen's lead, particularly if he can manage to "somehow steal an AFC North crown from the rival Pittsburgh Steelers," as one observer noted. His 4 first-place votes emphasize the respect he commands across the league, and with FanDuel presenting him with betting odds of +650, Jackson remains within striking distance.
Goff, Burrow, and Mahomes in the Mix
Further down the rankings, the competition tightens with Jared Goff and Joe Burrow both securing 25 points. However, Goff's larger presence on ballots gives him the edge over Burrow, as highlighted by one expert's observation: "Another interesting takeaway: While Burrow and Goff had an equal number of points, the latter appeared on more ballots." This emphasizes the importance of visibility and consistent performances over the season in swaying expert opinion.
Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs' quarterback and a perennial MVP candidate, finds himself in fifth with 7 points. Though lower on the leaderboard than in previous seasons, his presence still underscores his status as one of the league’s elite quarterbacks.
FanDuel’s Perspective
Betting odds from FanDuel offer a reflective angle on the MVP race dynamics. While Allen sits as a prohibitive favorite, the odds reveal intrigue deeper in the pack. Lamar Jackson's odds of +650 signal confidence in his late-season surge. Interestingly, Saquon Barkley's +1800 odds contrast with his strong performance on the ballots, suggesting potential underappreciation in betting circles.
Moreover, FanDuel gives an intriguing nod to Jalen Hurts by placing him above both Joe Burrow and Green Bay's Jordan Love in the odds ranking, indicating potential for surprising developments in the MVP race’s final stretch.
As the NFL season races towards its conclusion, the narratives around these MVP contenders are set to crescendo. With votes cast and odds set, the games ahead will determine if Allen maintains his lead or if challengers like Barkley or Jackson can stage a thrilling upset. The stakes are high, the competition fierce, and the drama guaranteed to keep fans on the edge of their seats.