NFL MVP Odds Update: Lamar Jackson Closing in on His Second Award

Somehow, someway, we have arrived at the final week of the 2023-24 NFL regular season.

Looking back, there have been plenty of notable storylines this year. Still, the latest race to be the NFL's Most Valuable Player was quite dynamic. There have been various frontrunners throughout the season, but as it is now, one man stands above all others.

Encroaching on his second league MVP award, Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens has pumped up the volume over this final phase of the schedule. As it is now, Jackson is the best player on the NFL's best team (record-wise). His ability to extend plays and create has been especially on display lately.

Keeping that in mind, there is still one game left on the slate for all teams in the league. Nothing in life is guaranteed, so let's have one final look at FanDuel Sportsbook's NFL MVP market.

All NFL odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

NFL MVP Odds

*Denotes 2022-23 NFL AP MVP

Frontrunners

Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: -20000

Lamar is already part of a select group of just seven football players to have earned both a Heisman Trophy and AP NFL MVP award. Even crazier, he is only the second signal-caller (along with Cam Newton) to accomplish this feat. Either way, Jackson has magnificently quarterbacked Baltimore to a league-best 13-3 record and the AFC's No. 1 seed.

Interestingly enough, Jackson is not among the top-five players this season when it comes to passing yards (3,678), passing touchdowns (24) or completion clip (67.2%). Still, his QBR of 65.3 is fourth-best in the NFL.

When it comes to running the football, Jackson is obviously one of the league's most talented individuals. In 2023, Jackson has already amassed five scores on the ground along with 821 rushing yards (5.5 YPC). However, it is his uncanny ability to keep his side in winning position that sets him apart.

A true playmaker, Jackson has always had the clutch gene of making the needed play at the needed time. Additionally, when you survey the Ravens' list of defeated teams, they show wins over the top teams in the league. Included in Baltimore's 13 victories this year are Super Bowl hopefuls like the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions.

As far back as September 25th, Jackson was labeled with +1400 odds in the MVP market. Fast-forward to now, and that number at FanDuel Sportsbook is a very lengthy -20000. Yes, timing is everything.

Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +1600

As quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys, Dak Prescott is enjoying one of his best statistical seasons on record. Wrapping up his seventh year as the guy in Big D, Prescott has already tossed 32 touchdowns in 2023, which is the second-highest total of his NFL career. He'll need five TD passes on Sunday against the Washington Commanders to reach his top mark of 37 (2021).

After Brock Purdy, Prescott holds the second-best QBR (70.5) of 2023. From there, his completion rate of 68.4% is also second-best among quarterbacks to have played every game this season. Next, the Mississippi State alum has done well to reduce his turnovers. After leading the NFL in interceptions last year (15), Prescott has cut his picks in half.

Crazily enough, the Cowboys have produced only one AP NFL MVP in the game's history; that came back in 1993-94 when halfback Emmitt Smith won the award. Transparently, Prescott would need to go absolutely nuclear in Week 18 -- we're talking six or more TD passes -- versus Washington. Still, it is not an impossible scenario at all.

Long Shots

Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +3000

Orchestrating a roller coaster season for the Buffalo Bills, Josh Allen is playing high-quality football right now. Notably, Buffalo suffered midseason woes after losing five of eight games. However, the Bills have won three of their most recent four, catapulting back into the playoff picture.

For a quarterback to win MVP, that player typically must first win their respective division. The last time a signal-caller earned the award while finishing second in the division was when Peyton Manning did it in 2008. Now, Allen and the Bills still have a chance at winning the AFC East, but they must take care of business against Miami in the finale. If Buffalo loses Sunday, there is also a possibility that they miss the postseason altogether.

Simply, Allen is out of the MVP running unless he can put together an iconic winning performance on the road versus the 'Fins. But Allen's overall numbers certainly warrant consideration. He is about to eclipse 4,000 passing yards for the fourth straight year, and his current QBR of 68.2 is third in the league.

If Allen and Buffalo can snatch back the division in uber-dramatic fashion, perhaps Allen can overcome Jackson in this market. However, it will truly need to be Allen's best game of his career.

Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers

FanDuel Sportsbook Odds: +5000

In 2023, Christian McCaffrey of the 49ers has been a tried-and-true scoring machine. Sitting on 21 total touchdowns (13 rushing and 7 receiving) this year, McCaffrey has found the end zone in all but three games. From there, he leads the NFL in rushing by a wide margin, showing 1,459 yards (5.36 YPC) on the ground to this point.

CMC has been looked at as an MVP candidate from the season's beginning, despite the crazy efficiency of San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy. In a way, their MVP aspirations seem to have cannibalized one another, as it is tough to point to two MVPs on one team, giving way to the argument of "who is the more valuable?"

A running back has not been named league MVP since Adrian Peterson in 2012, but McCaffrey is in the sort of do-it-all mode that deserves authentic consideration. Of all quarterbacks mentioned here outside of Jackson, CMC really is closer to performing like an MVP. Yes, there is a weird world where McCaffrey and Jackson share this season's Most Valuable Player award (similar to Brett Favre and Barry Sanders in 1997).

Of course, McCaffrey is still a long shot in this market for one looming fact; he is listed as out (calf) for the regular season finale against the Los Angeles Rams. Being that the 49ers have cemented the NFC's top seed, there is absolutely zero pressure for CMC to hit the field until the divisional round.

Honorable Mention

Trending Up

• Brock Purdy +2500

Falling Down

• Tyreek Hill +12000

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.