Aaron Rodgers Back in 2018 NFL MVP Race After Week 6

• Aaron Rodgers’ odds now have him back in the conversation for league MVP
• How does Rodgers compare to other top contenders?
• Is there value on Rodgers winning his third MVP award?

It seems bookies are back on the Aaron Rodgers’ bandwagon when it comes to NFL MVP betting. Rodgers’ average odds had drifted as far out as +1700 as of October 10th. But after another vintage Rodgers performance in leading the Packers in a come-from-behind 33-30 win in Week 6, his NFL MVP odds have shortended to +900.

Average Odds to Win 2018 NFL MVP

Rodgers’ average odds were as low as +280 after the Packers’ Week 1 win over the Bears. However they drifted out after they lost three of the next four. Monday night’s last minute win puts Rodgers and Green Bay at 3-3 as they go into their bye week.

2018 NFL MVP Odds

*For a full list please follow the link in the table

A bye week may not be coming at a better time for any team as it is for the Packers and specifically Rodgers. Despite passing for the second-most yards in the league with 1,997 and having 12 touchdowns compared to only one interception, nothing has come easy.

Rodgers has basically been playing on one leg for the entire season after suffering a knee injury in the first half of Week 1.

Aaron Rodgers dealing with knee injury 'setback' – National Football League News – https://t.co/qxxsZKDNFq pic.twitter.com/QHWE3kE7XH

— NFL News Now (@NFLNewsNow247) October 12, 2018

Many suspected he may miss time or potentially even be done for the season. Yet Rodgers has continued to carry his team. Things didn’t get any better in a Week 5 loss to Detroit where he suffered a further setback in the injury.

The injury couldn’t keep him out of Monday night’s game. He once again led the Packers back from what looked like certain defeat down 30-23 with only a couple minutes to go.

Is Rodgers on Pace For an MVP Caliber Year?

Statistically there’s no argument Rodgers should be mentioned among the favorites in MVP discussions. He ranks second in yards and tied in eighth in TDs. Only Drew Brees has less INTs (zero) than Rodgers among starting QBs.

These numbers line up with any of the league’s other top MVP contenders including current favorite Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes has exploded out of the gates in his first season as a starter and is leading the league with 18 TDs.

Alex Morgan, CP3 + more react to the #Packers' exciting #MNF victory

📲: https://t.co/MKIuk2pXGN#GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/qCZkUH4c9Z

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 16, 2018

Mahomes won each of his first five starts in 2018 but has come back to earth just slightly in the past two weeks. Mahomes has thrown two INTs in each of the past two games. Last week he finally suffered his first loss on Sunday night against the Patriots.

Rodgers vs Mahomes 2018 Statistical Comparison

It’s not that I don’t believe in Aaron Rodgers. After all, without him Green Bay would likely be 0-6. The Packers’ passing offense is ranked fourth in YPG, compared to their running game which ranks only 17th.

But an MVP usually comes from a winning team and from a player who plays the full season. I’m not convinced either of those things will happen for the Packers and Rodgers.

Aaron Rodgers didn't sound too thrilled about Mike McCarthy's game plan during the #Packers victory over the #Bills on Sunday.https://t.co/mdpLpsfCil pic.twitter.com/vSpNFu7HG0

— Lauren Willand (@lalalalaurrrren) October 1, 2018

Even in Green Bay’s three wins, they’ve competed against only one team with a winning record (Chicago), and against teams with a combined 6-11 record.

Green Bay’s wins have come against only one team with a winning record (Chicago), and against teams with a combined 6-11 record.

Then there’s the injury. There are times when it’s painful to watch Rodgers limping around. Every time he takes a hit, slides during a run play or someone falls on him, there is a legitimate chance he’s not going to get back up. I’ve actually taken a bet earlier this season that Rodgers would not start every game this year.

Even if he does no further damage to the knee, could he be sat down later in the season if Green Bay is out of the playoff picture? It’s possible, considering the Packers only play three teams with a losing record the rest of the season.

You have several strong candidates among the betting favs. Their odds are a little shorter, but Todd Gurley (+600) and Jared Goff (+700) are flying high with the Rams. Gurley has a combined 870 yards and 11 TDs rushing and receiving.

With six straight wins, Goff has entered into some rare comparisons for QBs 25-and-under.

Jared Goff has won his 1st 6 starts of this season, all under the age of 25 years old. Goff joins Dan Marino in 1984 and Daunte Culpepper in 2000 as the only QB in the Super Bowl era to win their team's first six games of a season all while under the age of 25. pic.twitter.com/BtMBf7ZPlu

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 15, 2018

Of the previous two players on this list, Dan Marino was able to go on to win the NFL MVP award in 1984.