Upcoming Match-ups

Russell Wilson Only Trails Mahomes in NFL MVP Odds After He Shortens from +1800 to +275

Angelo Montilla

by Angelo Montilla in NFL Football

Updated Apr 9, 2020 · 12:23 PM PDT

Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson has emerged as one of the top favorites to win the NFL MVP award in 2019. Photo from @MySportsUpdate (Twitter)
  • Russell Wilson leads the NFL in touchdown passes with 12 this season
  • Patrick Mahomes is still the favorite for 2019 NFL MVP
  • See the updated odds after Week 5

In just over a month, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has gone from not even being mentioned as a worthy NFL MVP candidate to one of the frontrunners to win the award.

In the latest NFL MVP odds and lists Wilson at +275 — a massive leap from the +1800 price given to the former Super Bowl champion prior to Week 5, and second only to reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes (+125).

Is Wilson the best bet at this point to win the 2019 NFL MVP award?

2019 NFL MVP Odds (Post Week 5)

Player Odds
Patrick Mahomes +125
Russell Wilson +275
Christian McCaffrey +750
Deshaun Watson +750
Aaron Rodgers +1200
Carson Wentz +2000
Dak Prescott +2000
Jimmy Garoppolo +2500
Lamar Jackson +3300
Baker Mayfield +5000

* Odds taken on October 8

On May 31, Wilson opened as a +1600 longshot. Prior to the start of the 2019 NFL season, those odds were as long as +2800.

However, after leading the Seahawks to a 4-1 record after Week 5, Wilson’s odds shortened to the point where he’s now the second-favorite on the board.

YouTube video

Wilson has been the model of efficiency, completing 114 of 156 pass attempts for 1,409 yards and a league-leading 12 TD passes. Wilson has yet to throw an interception this season — a stat that sets Wilson apart from the majority of other quarterbacks in the running for MVP.

The only other candidate in that category is Mahomes.

Can Russell Wilson Keep Up MVP-Calibre Play?

Can Wilson maintain his current stats and challenge Mahomes for the award the rest of the way?

Wilson will never be a passing-yard machine due to Seattle’s run-heavy style, but he owns one of the best completion percentages (73.1%) and QB passer ratings (126.3) in the NFL.

Wilson has become Mahomes’ biggest threat to win the award and, based on Seattle’s upcoming schedule over the next four weeks, he could very well become the frontrunner for the award.

The Seahawks have games against the Browns, Falcons and Buccaneers — all of which have weak defenses that Wilson will be able to expose.

Mahomes has been the best quarterback in the league through five weeks, throwing for an NFL-leading 1,831 yards and 11 touchdown passes.

YouTube video

An odds-on favorite at -120 going into the week, Mahomes’ MVP odds slipped to +125 following Kansas City’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts, a game in which Mahomes tweaked his ankle and was noticeably limited in his mobility.

Christian McCaffrey Making A Case

The last time a running back won the NFL MVP award was 2012 when Adrian Peterson took home the honors. Christian McCaffrey of the Carolina Panthers is making a strong case that the drought should end.

McCaffrey leads the NFL in rushing yards with 587 and has had three games with 128 or more rushing yards. A dual threat out of the backfield, McCaffrey has six rushing TDs and one touchdown catch this season.

McCaffrey is another player that saw the big movement in odds from last week, opening at +3900 at the start of Week 5 and jumping to +750.

Aaron Rodgers Moving Up Odds List

Let’s not forget about Aaron Rodgers and how important he is to the Green Bay Packers.

Even without Davante Adams in the lineup for Week 5, Rodgers, who comes in at +1200 on the list, led the Packers to their fourth win in five weeks as Green Bay now sits at the top of the NFC North Division.

However, even though Mahomes had an off-week offensively, the Chiefs’ QB is still the player to beat for NFL MVP in 2019.

Pick: Patrick Mahomes (+125)

Author Image