The third week of the 2021 NFL season has finally concluded and there’s been a major shift in odds when it comes to who’ll be named the league’s most valuable player. Before the season began, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was favored to win the award for the second time in his career. Things have changed quite a bit because it’s now Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott who’s BetOnline’s 2021 NFL MVP favorite at +675 odds.
It’s been a big year for Prescott as he’s coming off of a season-ending ankle injury. It’s safe to say that his recovery has gone as planned — if not better — because it looks like he hasn’t lost a step. He was dominant during Dallas’ Week 3 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, finishing the contest with 238 passing yards for three touchdowns. Overall, Prescott has completed a career-high 77.5% of his passes this season for 878 passing yards and six touchdowns to just two interceptions.
Prescott’s efforts have the Cowboys sitting first place in the NFC East with a 2-1 record. Yes, it’s still early, however, it’s clear that he’s done a good job helping his team bounce back from last year’s disappointing showing without him. Dallas is also averaging 30.0 points per game (T-6th) while surrendering an average of 23.0 (13th). If the Cowboys can keep competing at this pace, there’s no reason why Prescott shouldn’t be the 2021 NFL MVP.
2021 NFL MVP Odds Update After Week 3
Odds via BetOnline as of Tuesday, September 29
- Dak Prescott (+675)
- Kyler Murray (+700)
- Tom Brady (+725)
- Patrick Mahomes (+750)
- Matthew Stafford (+750)
- Josh Allen (+850)
- Justin Herbert (+900)
- Aaron Rodgers (+1100)
- Russell Wilson (+2000)
- Lamar Jackson (+2500)
- Derek Carr (+2500)
The complete odds list is available at BetOnline.ag.
Kyler Murray MVP Odds
Before the 2021 NFL season began, a lot of experts had the NFC West as the toughest division in football. However, the Arizona Cardinals were seen as the “weak link” of the division. So far, that has proven NOT to be the case considering how the Cardinals are 3-0 to start the campaign and a lot of that has to do with QB Kyler Murray’s play.
The third-year signal-caller has been electric to start the season, throwing for 1,005 passing yards and seven TDs to four INTs through Arizona’s first three games. His 335 passing yards per game is well above his career average of 248.5, so it’ll be interesting to see how long his production is sustainable. As a result of his impressive start, Murray’s 2021 NFL MVP odds currently sit at +700.
What makes Murray even more dangerous is the fact that he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL when it comes to being a dual-threat. While he’s capable of bombing the ball down the field, he can also run with the best of them as proven by his 70 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground in 17 attempts this season. It makes him harder to stop, which is another reason why the Cardinals are undefeated. Until his play drops off, Murray should remain in the 2021 NFL MVP conversation throughout the season.
Tom Brady 2021 NFL MVP Odds
Only six players in NFL history have been named Most Valuable Player three or more times and Tom Brady is one of them. Now, the 44-year-old quarterback is on the hunt to win his fourth, which would make him the only player besides longtime rival Peyton Manning to win it at least four times. Considering how Brady owns the third-best (+725) 2021 NFL MVP odds, it’s definitely in the realm of possibility.
Brady continues to defy age as his NFL career continues to unfold. He leads the league this season in passing attempts (141), completions (97) and touchdowns (10) through the first three games and isn’t showing signs of slowing down. It certainly helps to have pass-catchers like Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Antonio Brown and Rob Gronkowski to pass to.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are also 2-1 under Brady and could wind up repeating as Super Bowl champions if everything goes right. If they wind up seeing that much success this year, you can bet that Brady will have something to do with it.
