The Associated Press National Football League Most Valuable Player is the most prestigious award and has been that way since 1957. Like the Ballon d’Or in soccer, it is highly sought after. Although the 2024 -25 NFL season starts on Thursday, September 5, 2024, bettors are already speculating which player will scoop the NFL MVP 2024. Among the five contenders, two have won the award twice. Of course, there are dark horses to look out for and possible upsets. Like most enthusiasts, we sat with experts to discuss the favorites, factors influencing betting odds, and how to place bets. Read on to find out what to expect going into the season.
What is the MVP Award and its Criteria
The NFL MVP is awarded annually by various organizations. However, the Associated Press (AP) NFL MVP award is the de facto official award. As a result, it also has the best rating. A panel of 50 sportswriters vote before the playoffs, just at the end of the regular season. When does the NFL MVP get announced? A day before the Super Bowl. The criteria for selecting the MVP include:
- Quarterbacks performance statistics: Interceptions, passing yards, touchdowns, passer rating, and completion percentage.
- Running backs performance statistics: Touchdowns, yards per carry, rushing yards, and total yards from scrimmage.
- Defensive players: Defensive touchdowns, forced fumbles, interceptions, sacks, and tackles.
- Wide receivers and tight ends: Receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.
- Player’s overall contribution to the team’s success, especially during comebacks.
- Leadership qualities on and off the field.
- Minimal injury impact and sustained high-performance level.
- Records broke and performance compared to historical standards.
Previous MVP Winners and Their Impact on the League
Many exceptional players have won the MVP over the years. Notable ones are:
- Patric Mahomes: Mahomes is leading the race for this year’s MVP. Not surprisingly, the two-time winner achieved over 5000 passing yards and 50 touchdown passes in his 2018 MVP year. His style revolutionized how offenses operate. He also influenced the quarterback drafting process.
- Lamar Jackson: Jackson is another two-time winner, but he’s slightly off the mark for this year’s award. His success in 2018 motivated teams to embrace quarterbacks, as he demonstrated the potential of two-threat quarterbacks.
- Other notable winners include Aaron Rodgers (4 times), Peyton Manning (5 times), Tom Brady (3 times), Brett Favre (3 times) and Jim Brown (3 times). The winners’ effective playing styles influenced coaching and gameplay. With more quarterbacks winning the award, quarterbacks rose to prominence. It also led to the creation of more rules to guarantee their safety. MVP winners became the faces of the league, boosting the popularity of the sport.
Top Favorites for the 2024/25 MVP
The 2024 MVP list is dominated by quarterbacks. Here are the players leading the pack below.
Patrick Mahomes
Josh Allen
Lamar Jackson
Joe Burrow
Justin Herbert
| Player Name | Team | Position | Current odds | Key Stats |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City Chiefs | Quarterback | +600 | 67.2% CMP, 4,183 YDS, 27 TD, 14 INT, RTG 92.6 |
| Josh Allen | Buffalo Bills | Quarterback | +800 | 66.5% CMP, 4,306 YDS, 29 TD, 18 INT, 92.2 RTG |
| Joe Burrow | Cincinnati Bengals | Quarterback | +900 | 66.8% CMP, 2,309 YD, 15 TD, 6 INT, 91.0 RTG |
| Lamar Jackson | Baltimore Ravens | Quarterback | +1200 | 67.2% CMP, 3,678 YDS, 24 TD, 7 INT, 102.7 RTG |
| Justin Herbert | Los Angeles Chargers | Quarterback | +1400 | 65.1% CMP, 3,134 YDS, 20 TD, 7 INT, 93.1 RTG |
Dark Horse Candidates
The players above are obvious contenders, but there are a few individuals who play for some of the NFL best teams to look out for.
| Player Name | Team | Position | Current odds | Key Stats |
| C.J. Stroud | Houston Texans | Quarterback | +1100 odds | 63.9% CMP, 4108 YDS, 23 TD, 5 INT, 100.8 RTG |
| Jordan Love | Green Bay Packers | Quarterback | +1600 odds | 64.2% CMP, 4159 YDS, 32 TD, 11 INT, 96.1 RTG |
| Brock Purdy | San Francisco 49ers | Quarterback | +1600 odds | 69.4% CMP, 4280 YDS, 31 TD, 11 INT, 113.0 RTG |
Factors Influencing MVP Odds
Like all sporting activity, different conditions affect MVP odds. The most prominent ones are:
- Individual performance: Players with incredible stats throughout the season have the best odds. Not only this but high-level performance and crucial contributions such as game-winning drives.
- Players on winning teams, like making the playoffs or winning the Super Bowl have a higher chance of winning the award.
- Quarterbacks dominate the NFL MVP award due to their visibility during plays.
- Extensive media hype and fan support boost a player’s profile.
- Absence of injury or quick recovery followed by an elite performance.
How to Bet On NBA MVP Odds
The NBA, like the NFL, gives an award to its Most Valuable Player during the regular season. The award, established in the 1955-56 season, provides an opportunity for bettors to win money. But it starts with knowing how to bet on NBA MVP odds. First, choose a reputable online sportsbook or place your bets at a physical bookmaker. The top NFL betting sites offer NBA MVP betting options among top football betting sites. Apart from props bets, explore bets like moneyline, point spread, and over/under. Afterward, research betting odds, candidates, and expert opinions, and place your bet.
How to Interpret MVP Odds
The NFL MVP odds are presented as moneyline or American odds. They are represented with a negative or positive number. If you bet $100 on Mahomes to win at +600, you will receive $600 plus the original $100 stake, earning $700. The player with the lowest NFL MVP odds is the favorite to win the award, while underdogs have higher odds and are less likely to win.
Expert Opinions and Predictions
Based on observations, Mahomes is the most likely player to win this year’s NFL MVP. Whatever doubts will disappear if the Chiefs win a three-peat. Whatever happens, quarterbacks dominate the list, so the winner will be a quarterback. The non-QB on the list is Christian McCaffrey at +3500. Josh Allen is closest to Patrick Mahomes, so even if we see an upset, he is the next likely winner.
Final Thoughts on the 2024/25 MVP Race
The NFL MVP 2024 race is heating up. Although Patrick Mahomes leads with a +200 odds difference, the battle is closely tied among the subsequent four contestants. Each player leads the next by only +100 odds. The Super Bowl is still a long time away, enough for the quarterbacks to solidify their position and cause massive upsets.
