Sep 10, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) celebrates at the end of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
In the wake of the first Sunday of the regular season, NFL MVP odds have seen significant movement for Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. At DraftKings Sportsbook, Tagovailoa and reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs now share the favorite’s position with odds of +700. To catch up on all the action from Week 1 and see how it impacts the MVP race, read on.
As Week 1 of the regular season nears its conclusion, the favorite for NFL MVP honors varies depending on the online sports betting site you visit. At DraftKings, Patrick Mahomes continues to hold the top spot with odds of +700. However, he now shares that position with Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins, who made a strong impression with his performance in the season opener. Meanwhile, FanDuel lists Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills as the MVP favorite at +550. Allen will make his season debut in the Monday Night Football game against the New York Jets. Over at BetMGM, Mahomes and Allen are co-favorites at +600. Let’s take a closer look at the latest NFL MVP odds and how things are shaping up so far.
Here are the current NFL MVP odds:
Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins) +700
Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs) +700
Joe Burrow (Bengals) +750
Josh Allen (Bills) +850
Jalen Hurts (Eagles) +1100
Justin Herbert (Chargers) +1200
Lamar Jackson (Ravens) +1500
Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars) +1500
Aaron Rodgers (Jets) +1600
Dak Prescott (Cowboys) +2000
Justin Fields (Bears) +2500
Deshaun Watson (Browns) +2500
Jared Goff (Lions) +3500
Brock Purdy (49ers) +4000
Jordan Love (Packers) +4500
Matthew Stafford (Rams) +5000
Derek Carr (Saints) +5000
Russell Wilson (Broncos) +5000
Tyreek Hill (Dolphins) +5000
Geno Smith (Seahawks) +5000
Odds source: MyBookie Sportsbook
The top 18 spots in the NFL MVP odds are currently held by quarterbacks, with Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill being the first non-quarterback listed at +5000. It’s worth noting that quarterbacks have won the past 10 NFL MVP awards, with no wide receiver ever receiving the honor.
Although a clear favorite has yet to emerge across all major sports betting sites, Tua Tagovailoa has made a significant impact in Week 1. His performance against the Los Angeles Chargers may not have been perfect, but it was impressive nonetheless. Tagovailoa threw for 466 yards, the fourth-highest total in a season opener in NFL history. Paired with Tyreek Hill’s 215-yard performance, the Dolphins’ offense is expected to pose a challenge for opposing secondaries throughout the season. At the start of the season, Tagovailoa had odds of +2200 to win the NFL MVP title, making him the player with the most significant line movement after Week 1.
As for Patrick Mahomes, it’s important not to underestimate him despite the Chiefs’ loss to the Lions. Mahomes and the Chiefs tend to start seasons slowly but have a history of finishing strong. Last season, they lost two of their first six games and only one more game for the rest of the season, eventually winning the Super Bowl with Mahomes claiming his second MVP title. In 2021, the Chiefs started with a record of 3-4 and still made it to the AFC Championship Game. Despite their 0-1 start, the Chiefs remain the favorites to win the Super Bowl with odds of +650.
Apart from Tagovailoa, there hasn’t been significant movement in the NFL MVP betting markets following Week 1. Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, despite being benched in their loss, still maintains odds of +750 at DraftKings. However, FanDuel has lengthened his MVP odds to +1000. As of now, the race for the NFL MVP title appears to be a three-player competition between Mahomes, Allen, and Tagovailoa. The rankings may differ between sports betting sites, emphasizing the importance of line shopping to find the best odds on your preferred player.
While it’s still too early to determine a clear favorite for NFL MVP, now is the time to place your bets if you have a specific player in mind. If you believe in Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins’ potential, FanDuel offers MVP odds of +850 for him. DraftKings, on the other hand, offers the same odds for Josh Allen, who is yet to display his Week 1 performance. Take advantage of the current odds and secure a good price on your MVP pick.
About the author: Robert Duff is an industry veteran with extensive experience teaching the history of sports. As a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, he has appeared as a guest on various radio stations and served as the Vice President of the Society for International Hockey Research in Ontario. Duff has also authored 25 books.
