2024 NFL MVP race, odds: Josh Allen favored, Lamar Jackson surging

Based on the odds, this season's NFL MVP award is Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen's to lose.

Before Week 15, Allen was -400 to win the award.

But after the Bills outlasted the Lions 48-42, his odds shortened to -900.

In that game, he passed for 362 yards and had two touchdowns through the air. He also rushed for 68 yards and added two TDs with his legs.

"Josh Allen is the greatest quarterback talent I've ever seen. He's better than Elway, he's better than Mahomes as a talent," host Colin Cowherd said on "The Herd" recently.

Can anyone catch Allen?

Let's take a look at the MVP oddsboard at DraftKings Sportsbook as of Dec. 16.

2024-25 NFL MVP ODDS: 

Josh Allen, Bills: -900 (bet $10 to win $11.11 total)
Lamar Jackson, Ravens: +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total)
Saquon Barkley, Eagles: +1300 (bet $10 to win $140 total)
Jared Goff, Lions: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers: +7500 (bet $10 to win $760 total)
Joe Burrow, Bengals: +7500 (bet $10 to win $760 total)
Sam Darnold, Vikings: +7500 (bet $10 to win 760 total)
Jordan Love, Packers: +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs: +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
T.J. Watt, Steelers: +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
Jayden Daniels, Commanders: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total)
Jalen Hurts, Eagles: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total)
Matthew Stafford, Rams: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total)
Kyler Murray, Cardinals: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
Justin Herbert, Chargers: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)

Second on this board is Ravens' QB Lamar Jackson.

Over the last week, Jackson skyrocketed to +550 from +1000.

In Baltimore's 35-14 win over the Giants, he was 21-of-25 passing for 290 yards and five touchdowns.

Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is third on the board, moving to +1300 from +450. 

This season, he set Philadelphia's single-game rushing record, previously held by LeSean McCoy (217). He also became the first player in Eagles history to have 300 scrimmage yards in a game (255 rushing and 47 receiving) and he now holds the team's single-season rushing record. 

Fourth is Jared Goff, whose odds lengthened to +2000 from +1000 after the Lions fell to the Bills. 

Goff threw for 494 yards and five touchdowns in the loss.

As for best bets for the award, FOX Sports betting expert Jason McIntyre has you covered with his best bets for NFL MVP:

Editor's Note: Bets placed on 7/25/2024

Here are two things we know about NFL MVP: the last non-QB to win the award was Adrian Peterson in 2012, and, before that, it was LaDainian Tomlinson (2006). 

To tally that up, 16 of the last 18 winners have been quarterbacks. 

Last year, Lamar Jackson had 15-1 odds to win the MVP and ended up stealing it with a December surge past Brock Purdy. 

Here are three guys I’m taking a flier on this year*: 

Jalen Hurts 

The addition of Saquon Barkley could have a massive impact on the offense, similar to how Christian McCaffrey transformed the 49ers. The schedule for Hurts is very favorable, and the Eagles could lead the league in offense. Hurts may be the best QB in the NFC by midseason, and these odds will shrink, so take them now.

PICK: Jalen Hurts to win 2024 NFL MVP (+1500) 

Jared Goff

The media seems to really like Goff, or perhaps it’s his awesome story of redemption — kicked to the curb by the Rams, and then gets to within 3 points of a Super Bowl with the "lowly Lions". 

Goff may not be a top-3 player for the Lions, but if Detroit wins 12 to 13 games, he’ll certainly be in the discussion.

PICK: Jared Goff to win 2024 NFL MVP (+2000) 

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