2023 NFL MVP Race: Who’s in the Lead?
Mahomes Leads, Hurts Surges, and Dark Horses Emerging

With only a few NFL games to go to finish off the regular season, everyone’s asking the big question – who wins the 2023 NFL MVP Race? After all, the Super Bowl is still far away, and the MVP trophy within reach. It’s safe to say that major names are still in the lead, but there are a few surprises gaining ground as the season progresses.
The NFL MVP award is a highly valuable one. Every NFL player would like to have it on their resume. Bookies aren’t sitting idle. The odds for the MVP trophy are already available and have been for some time. Of course, they’re updated constantly to reflect the current standings and eventual injuries or bad performances.
These odds are like live matter, so it’s best to keep an eye on them all the time and jump at the best chance. That being said, here are the main favorites for the NFL MVP trophy this season.
Patrick Mahomes (+700)
Is it really a surprise Patty’s on top of the MVP NFL odds? He’s been the best player in the league for seasons now, crowning his performances with two Super Bowls. The Chiefs know how good he is, locking Mahomes down with a staggering 10-year contract in 2020 which costs over $500 million. Yep, he’s that good.
The Kansas City Chiefs are once again having a great season, and it’s all thanks to Mahomes’ MVP-like performances. It looks like the team is ready for the Super Bowl, and if it gets there again, you can bet Mahomes will lead the Super Bowl MVP shortlist as well.
Jalen Hurts (+400)
While Mahomes is having a great NFL regular season and looks like a lock for the valuable trophy, Hurts is lurking right behind. He’s been a dominant force since last season and continued right where he left off. He’s the reason why the Philadelphia Eagles have the league’s best record. And it’s not been all roses. Hurts played through pain in early November, limping badly against the Dallas Cowboys and leaving the field in the second quarter.
However, he eventually came back in pain and helped his team earn a gritty win over the tricky Cowboys. It was a testament to how great of a player he is, and how willing he is to help his team.
The quarterback has been dealing with knee pain, but recently, it has gotten better. If he continues his explosive form by the end of the season, he could very well be in line for his first MVP. It’s Mahomes’ trophy to lose.
Tua Tagovailoa (+800)
Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa was on top of the NFL MVP standings a month ago. He has fallen a bit behind Mahomes and Hurts, with some experts putting him behind Lamar Jackson too. One thing’s clear, though – Tagovailoa is a force to be reckoned, and putting him in MVP conversation was something we all knew was coming.
He’s the reason for the Dolphins’ solid season so far. The team may not be built for a championship right now, but Tagovailoa is definitely a good centerpiece to have. He’s averaging around 8.5 yards per attempt as a passer, good for second in the league.
Compared to other NFL teams, the Dolphins are a real threat in the red zone this season. The Samoan-American player will only get better from here, so even if the doesn’t win the award this season, you can see him as a favorite going forward.
Lamar Jackson (+650)
If you ask most experts, Lamar Jackson is the favorite you should pick this year. Without a doubt, he’s one of the most mobile quarterbacks of all time. Maybe even the best one. He’s been putting in consistently great work over the years, and this may be the year he takes the Baltimore Ravens all the way to the title.
Of course, a lot of it will depend on his team, not just Jackson himself. Poor late game execution cost the Ravens in a deciding match against the Browns. They should still make the NFL playoffs, but another slip up and the Ravens may go down. With that, Jackson’s MVP odds will take a hit. But, for now, he is still a good pick and may be a surprise.
Josh Allen (+4000)
Like Tagovailoa, Allen was much higher up the list during the early season. The Buffalo Bills QB led the list with some fine performances which resulted in the Bills’ three-game winning streak during the second week of action. He had 10 touchdowns and a 76.6% completion rate, being one of the best players in the league. But, as we mentioned earlier, things in the MVP race are changing all the time, and Allen fell down the list as the season progressed.
Not that he can’t turn things around and win his first MVP trophy. We’re talking about a great quarterback that can jump up the NFL standings. A few good matches for the Bills, and Allen may be a favorite of many. Right now, he’s a darkhorse to pick.
Brock Purdy (+350)
Purdy has been a pleasant surprise for San Francisco. Mr. Irrelevant has had the good fortune to play with an offensive squad brimming with talent and on one of the teams favored to make a Super Bowl run. Despite being absent from the MVP contender list for a few weeks, his standout performance against the Eagles catapults his name back into the conversation, turning heads and raising eyebrows.
His string of great performances and the 49ershot streak may continue, and with that, Purdy may begin climbing the list. We’d keep an eye on him if we were you in the 2023 NFL MVP Race.
C.J. Stroud (+2000)
Right now, C.J. Stroud is dead last on the 10th spot among the NFL MVP favorites. His odds are quite long, but that makes him a great dark horse for many. For him to win the 2023 NFL MVP Race, the Texans will need to continue winning, and their results have been mixed so far.
However, should he win someone’s going to make a lot of money. He may also become only the second rookie to win the MVP trophy after the great HOFer Jim Brown.
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