Russell Wilson’s MVP Odds Improve After Handing Niners Their First Loss, Lamar Jackson a Close Second
- Sportsbooks have established Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson as the +175 favorite to be NFL MVP
- Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is the second betting choice at +250
- The last six winners of the award were all QBs
This NFL MVP one upmanship between Russell Wilson and Lamar Jackson is certainly providing football fans with ample entertainment.
Monday, Wilson slayed the NFL’s last unbeaten team when he led the 8-2 Seattle Seahawks to a 27-24 overtime victory over the previously 8-0 San Francisco 49ers.
One day earlier, Jackson posted a perfect passer rating of 158.3 while leading the Baltimore Ravens to a 49-13 rout of the Cincinnati Bengals.
The 2019 NFL MVP odds still favor Wilson, however. On average across the leading sportsbooks, he’s the +250 chalk.
Sporsbooks list Wilson as their +175 betting choice to be MVP.
2019 NFL MVP Odds
| Player (Team) | Odds |
|---|---|
| Russell Wilson (Seahawks) | +175 |
| Lamar Jackson (Ravens) | +250 |
| Deshaun Watson (Texans) | +600 |
| Aaron Rodgers (Packers) | +900 |
| Christian McCaffrey (Panthers) | +900 |
| Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs) | +1400 |
| Tom Brady (Patriots) | +2000 |
| Dalvin Cook (Vikings) | +2500 |
| Jimmy Garoppolo (49ers) | +2500 |
| Dak Prescott (Cowboys) | +3300 |
| Drew Brees (Saints) | +3300 |
| Kirk Cousins (Vikings) | +3300 |
Odds taken on November 12, 2019.
Jackson owns average odds of +320.
Wilson Having a Ball
The win over the 49ers gave Wilson 90 victories, the second-most by an NFL QB over his first eight seasons in the league. Only Tom Brady (100) of the New England Patriots posted more wins over the same span.
Wilson leads all NFL QBs in passer rating (114.1) and touchdown passes (23). He owns an impressive 23:2 TD pass to interception ratio as well.
"I believe Russell Wilson increased his MVP lead slightly. He just took down an 8-0 team on the road…Russ and his great improvisational skills bailed them out again." — @ShannonSharpe pic.twitter.com/Qx9m42qJEl
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) November 12, 2019
Following Week 6, Wilson supplanted Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, the reigning MVP, as the favorite to win the award. It was the first time all season that someone other than Mahomes was the chalk.
After Week 8, Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers jumped ahead of Wilson into the favorite’s role. That only lasted a week. Wilson went off in an OT win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, passing for 378 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions and a 133.7 passer rating.
That performance vaulted Wilson once more to the top of the leaderboard.
Jackson Deserving of Action
Jackson also took down an unbeaten goliath two weeks ago when the Ravens defeated the 8-0 Patriots.
On Sunday, he torched the Bengals for 15-of-17 for 223 yards and three TDs, and he scampered for a spectacular 47-yard score.
LAMAR. JACKSON. @Lj_Era8 TO THE HOUSE ‼️‼️
😱😱😱😱 pic.twitter.com/DcR8A7S2Vy
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 10, 2019
Jackson also posted a perfect passer rating in a Week 1 rout of the Miami Dolphins. He’s the first QB to collect perfection in his passer rating twice in the same season since Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007.
Roethlisberger, by the way, didn’t win the 2007 NFL MVP.
Don’t Forget Deshaun
While Jackson and Wilson were lighting it up on the weekend, Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson was enjoying his bye week. But that doesn’t mean his MVP status went bye-bye.
.@texans @deshaunwatson just has more talent and better feet than most QB’s who have ever played ; but then you add the work ethic; the leadership; the humbleness…you know where I am going…He has everything it takes to be as good as there is. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/HextVKMImx
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 5, 2019
Watson’s tied for third in the NFL with 18 TD passes. His passer rating of 107.1 rates him ahead of Jackson (101.7).
Head-to-Head-to-Head
Watson can further his case this weekend, as he as the AFC South-leading Texans go up against Jackson and the AFC North-leading Ravens. Jackson already beat Wilson and the Seahawks 30-16 in Seattle earlier this season.
Unfortunately, the Texans and Seahawks won’t clash this season unless it’s in Super Bowl 54.
.@getnickwright gives a 60-second history lesson on Russell Wilson’s greatness starting with his rookie season: pic.twitter.com/4kePxv5gjr
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) November 12, 2019
The fact of the matter is there’s a pecking order in the awards game. Given all variables being equal, the guy who’s put in his time usually gets the nod.
Wilson’s credentials are established. He’s won a Super Bowl and numerous playoff games.
Unless Jackson or Watson must be off the charts better than Wilson. Otherwise, the MVP is his to lose.
Pick: Russell Wilson (+175).
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
