The race to claim the NFL’s Most Valuable Player Award has changed course.
The NFL MVP odds have changed drastically following a lackluster performance on Christmas night by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who had been the odds-on favorite. The 24-year-old signal caller had emerged as the NFL MVP frontrunner at over -200 odds before Christmas Day due to a season that had seen him throw for 3,795 yards and 29 touchdowns through 14 games.
However, Purdy’s status would quickly change against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night when he threw four interceptions in a blowout 33-19 loss.
Through two quarters, Purdy was still the favorite but that quickly changed in the second half.
UPDATED MVP ODDS AFTER THE 1st HALF:
— Caesars Sportsbook & Casino (@CaesarsSports) December 26, 2023
Brock Purdy: +150
CMC: +200
Lamar Jackson: +250
How will it end after this game? pic.twitter.com/xLCyq527Jz
The loss helped propel another MVP hopeful — and 2019 winner — Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. The former first-round pick would excel against the 49ers by throwing for 252 yards, two touchdowns, and rushing for 45 yards, helping his team earn a 12-3 record on the season.
The on-field results led Jackson to emerge as the betting favorite to secure his second MVP award, leapfrogging another 49er in the race — running back Christian McCaffrey — in the process.
McCaffrey, who also has receiver skills, has run for 1,395 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.
UPDATED MVP ODDS AFTER THE FLOWERS TD:
— Caesars Sportsbook & Casino (@CaesarsSports) December 26, 2023
Lamar Jackson: -150
CMC: +250
Brock Purdy: +650 https://t.co/gPg8PUPT96 pic.twitter.com/919fR8WkSl
The betting odds for MVP have continued to change as another week approaches and the end of the regular season nears. On Wednesday, Jackson opened as a -170 favorite on DraftKings to win MVP with McCaffrey having the next-best odds at +400.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is third at +1,000 while Purdy rounds at the top four at +1,200 — a far drop from previously being considered the favorite to win.
Purdy’s poor performance and his steep odds change came after a bettor relinquished their investment in the quarterback. Last week, a bettor sold a $2,000 straight bet ticket for Purdy to win NFL MVP at +10,000 odds which would’ve netted $202,000. The bettor sold the ticket on PropSwap before Monday’s game for $125,000 — the biggest sale in PropSwap history.
The bettor with the $2,000 ticket on Brock Purdy to win NFL MVP at 100-1 odds has sold it on @PropSwap for $125,000.
— Ben Fawkes (@BFawkes22) December 22, 2023
It’s the biggest sale in PropSwap’s history pic.twitter.com/YEvPlVteHN
The MVP odds may continue to change throughout the last two weeks of the regular season as teams look to solidify their spots in the playoffs. Until then, Jackson has become the favorite to win the coveted award but a bad performance could once again change the shape of the race.