Brady Topples Falcons, Maintains NFL MVP Odds Lead; Murray Totals Four TDs In Return

• Tom Brady threw for 368 yards and four TDs to maintain his lead atop the NFL MVP odds
• Brady widened his lead atop the odds with Aaron Rodgers on bye and Josh Allen playing Monday night
• See the updated 2021 NFL MVP odds following Week 13

A one touchdown performance couldn’t knock Tom Brady from atop the NFL MVP odds in Week 12. So naturally the 44-year old followed it up with a four TD Week 13 to strengthen his case for a fourth MVP award.

Brady and the Buccaneers exited Week 13 with a huge divisional win. The one blemish was an impressive pick-six by Marlon Davidson, that will do little to Brady’s chances in the grand scheme of things.

While some of the names behind him had some impressive afternoons, Brady made it impossible for the field to gain ground.

2021 NFL MVP Odds

Odds as of December 6th from FanDuel

Brady has been a consistent presence atop the NFL MVP odds for weeks now. Ever since Kyler Murray went down with injury and Josh Allen’s up and down stretch started, Brady has held steady atop the board.

Patrick Mahomes took a big hit to his odds, following a disappointing Sunday night performance. He had been one of the more popular risers lately. Jonathan Taylor, the lone non-QB in the second tier did enough on Sunday to keep up with the signal callers.

Tom Brady, Kyler Murray Score Four TDs in Week 13

Brady wasn’t the only QB to post a four in the TD column on Sunday. Kyler Murray did it a little differently, but returned to the lineup in triumphant fashion.

Tom Brady’s age-44 season through 12 games

347-508 (68.3%)
3,771 yards (7.4 YPA; 314 YPG)
34 TD, 10 INT, 1 rush TD

104.0 passer rating
7.48 ANY/A
0.229 EPA/play

9-3 record (Bucs: 31.4 PPG)

— Tom Brady Facts (@TB_Facts) December 5, 2021

Murray was last seen during Arizona’s Thursday night loss to Green Bay in Week 8. He certainly didn’t look rusty against the Bears.

Tom Brady vs Kyler Murray: Week 13

The Cards were up 21-7 at halftime and were able to cruise to victory in the second half. It was a clean return to the lineup for the one-time MVP favorite, except for a pair of fumbles. Arizona was able to recover both.

Kyler Murray surpassed 10,000 passing yards today, making him the 4th youngest player in NFL history to do so.

— Josh Weinfuss (@joshweinfuss) December 5, 2021

Even though he’s not far off in the NFL MVP odds, Murray is more of a longshot at this point. The Cardinals were able to put together a 2-1 record with Murray MIA, so while Colt McCoy was able to keep them atop the NFC, he inadvertently hurt his teammate’s MVP chances.

Jonathan Taylor Rumbles Up NFL MVP Odds

Back in Week 11, Jonathan Taylor dismantled the Buffalo Bills. He immediately become the lone non-QB to enjoy legitimate MVP buzz since Derrick Henry went down.

Taylor was able to salvage an average week against the Bucs by mixing in a TD on the ground. But in Week 13 he was back to his unstoppable self.

Jonathan Taylor is the first player with 1,300+ rush yards and 16+ rush TD through his team’s first 13 games since HOF LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006 (won MVP). #Colts pic.twitter.com/RkMBL2u1pL

— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) December 5, 2021

The sophomore running back is on an incredible stretch right now, scoring in 10-straight games. Sunday’s two-TD effort was his fourth time scoring multiple TDs. The 143 rushing yards were his fourth-highest total of the season.

Notable QB Performances Week 13

After Matthew Stafford was denounced in this space last week, he came up with a nice bounce back performance. Unfortunately in order to gain back his standing in the MVP race, it’s got to be against someone other than the Jaguars. LA has the Cardinals, Seahawks and Vikings up next.

A convincing win over the Cardinals would help add some legitimacy back to Stafford’s case.

Dak Prescott, Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson all delivered performances with mixed results. Prescott and Mahomes earned wins for their efforts, with Mahomes’ interception coming off of a Tyreek Hill drop.

Justin Herbert tossed his fifth interception in four games, but also threw multiple TDs for the eighth time in 2021. He’s thrown two or more TD passes in five of his last six and has thrown for over 300 yards in four of five.

Brady, Rodgers Separate Themselves in NFL MVP Odds

It’s hard to look at the field when it comes to NFL MVP and feel good about anyone other than Brady and Rodgers.

Herbert has started to make a late push after a couple of bad losses. Allen is still in the thick of it too, but he’s had turnover issues lately and the Bills have been inconsistent. Taylor continues to stick around in a year where a QB may not be the cut-and-dried winner.

But Brady and Rodgers have favorable schedules down the stretch, and the pedigree to fend off the field. Currently the edge resides with the favorite, Brady.