Russell Wilson Still Favored to Win NFL MVP After Tossing 3 Interceptions in Week 7 Loss
- Russell Wilson remains the favorite to win NFL MVP despite the Seattle Seahawks taking their first loss of the season in Week 7
- Wilson threw three interceptions as the Seahawks fell to the Arizona Cardinals 37-34 in overtime on the road
- See updated 2020 NFL MVP odds with analysis below
Russell Wilson remains the favorite to win the NFL MVP award despite the Seattle Seahawks taking their first loss of the season Sunday night.
The Seahawks fell to the Arizona Cardinals 37-34 in overtime on the road in Phoenix. That dropped their record to 5-1 and left the Pittsburgh Steelers as the NFL’s last unbeaten team.
Wilson’s first losing outing of the season included being intercepted three times. Yet he remains atop the NFL MVP odds.
2020 NFL MVP Odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Russell Wilson (Seahawks) | -100 |
| Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs) | +300 |
| Aaron Rodgers (Packers) | +600 |
| Tom Brady (Buccaneers) | +1500 |
| Lamar Jackson (Ravens) | +1600 |
Odds taken Oct. 26 at FanDuel
Wilson began the season as the third pick at +938 behind the Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes (+420) and Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson (+738). However, by the start of Week 3, Wilson had moved to the top of the board.
First Blemish of 2020
Wilson threw for 388 yards and three touchdowns on Sunday night, completing 33-of-50 passes. He added 84 yards rushing on six carries.
.@DangeRussWilson's touchdown pass to @TDLockett12: *chef's kiss*
📺: #SEAvsAZ on NBC https://t.co/tWTnp2kzXG
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 26, 2020
Despite that good moment, the three picks helped do the Seahawks in, especially the last one.
After the Cardinals’ Zane Gonzalez missed a potential game-winning field goal from 42 yards in overtime, the Seahawks got the ball with 2:32 left at their 31-yard line.
Wilson appeared to throw a 48-yard touchdown pass to DK Metcalf with 1:04 left to give the Seahawks a 40-34 victory but the score was negated by a holding penalty.
On the next play, Cardinals rookie Isaiah Simmons picked off Wilson.
DK Metcalf's game-winning TD got called back due to a holding call.
Then Russell Wilson threw a pick on the very next play. pic.twitter.com/1j10eBKs2I
— ESPN (@espn) October 26, 2020
Simmons’ big play led to Gonzalez’s game-winning 48-yard field goal with 20 seconds to go.
Pick Problem
Wilson’s two other picks came in the red zone.
In the second quarter, Budda Baker had an interception at the 2 yard-line and appeared on his way to a 98-yard touchdown return. However, Metcalf chased Baker down and made a TD-saving tackle.
📺: #SEAvsAZ on NBC pic.twitter.com/7QWqvslrhV
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 26, 2020
Patrick Peterson intercepted Wilson in the end zone early in the fourth quarter.
The Cardinals were unable to turn those two interceptions into points. Wilson’s good fortune ran out on the third pick, though.
While it is hard to overlook the interceptions, it is instructive to note that Wilson still had 472 yards of total offense. That is hardly an awful evening.
Deserving of Favorite
Stating the obvious since Wilson is the even-money favorite to win MVP, he is having a fantastic season.
The nine-year veteran has completed 71.2 percent of his passes for 1,890 yards and an NFL-best 22 touchdowns with six interceptions.
Wilson also leads the league with a 119.5 passer rating and a 10.0 touchdown percentage. Pro Football Focus puts its top quarterback grade on Wilson.
And the first loss has not shaken Wilson’s confidence.
Adversity is Temporary.
The Best is Ahead.— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) October 26, 2020
The Seahawks are leading the NFL in scoring (33.8 points a game) and total yardage (425.2) with Wilson running the offense.
That is particularly important because Seattle has needed pretty much every point and yard Wilson has generated. The Seahawks’ defense is last in the league in total yards allowed (479.2) and 23rd in points allowed (28.7).
A Lot To Like
Every expectation is that Wilson will continue to play at a high level throughout the season. Wilson has been selected to the Pro Bowl each of his last three seasons and six times overall in his nine-year career.
Of course, he has also led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title. The only thing he hasn’t accomplished is receiving even one MVP vote.
Russell Wilson deserves at least one MVP vote this year. I think he’s earned it. pic.twitter.com/1ULI4WfZDq
— Cory Smith (@RCorySmith) October 26, 2020
Age is not a factor as Wilson is in the prime of his career at 31 years old. His durability is unquestioned as he has started all 134 regular-season games during his career and 15 more in the playoffs.
Russ is The Man
Despite the low odds, Wilson is still the best MVP bet on the board for the reasons stated above.
For those looking for better odds, Aaron Rodgers would be worth a small play at +600.
The Green Bay Packers quarterback got back on track Sunday by throwing for 288 yards and four touchdowns in a 35-20 win over the Texans in Houston.
That came a week after he was intercepted twice by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Packers’ lone loss of the season.
John Perrotto has been covering and writing about sports for various outlets for over 40 years. His work has appeared in the likes of USA TODAY, ESPN.com, SI.com, Forbes.com, The Associated Press, Baseball Digest, and more. John is based out of Beaver Falls, PA.
