After leading the Philadelphia Eagles to another win in Week 15, Jalen Hurts increased his advantage in the NFL MVP betting markets. The third year superstar moved from a -115 favorite to a -150 favorite. However, news that Hurts is uncertain to play in Philadelphia’s Week 16 contest against the Cowboys has sent shockwaves through the betting market. Keep reading to see how Jalen Hurts‘ injury shifted the NFL MVP odds. Visit Oddshopper.com for more NFL news, and analysis related to NFL futures bets and Week 16 odds.
NFL MVP Betting Odds: Injury to Jalen Hurts Moves Odds
News that Jalen Hurts might miss Philadelphia's next game has dramatically swung the NFL MVP betting odds at DraftKings Sportsbook. Hurts, who ended the week as a larger favorite, is now the runner-up to Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes is now a much larger favorite than Hurts was before or after Week 16.
The injury is especially unfortunate because Hurts had played well enough in Week 15 to improve his MVP odds. He threw for 315 yards while picking up another 61 -- and three touchdowns -- on the ground. Although Hurts threw two interceptions, nearly doubling his season total in the process, he had brought the Eagles to just one win from securing a first-round bye.
The magnitude of the odds shift points to the stable position the Eagles find themselves in. Since Philadelphia is just one win away from locking up a bye week, they are unlikely to rush Hurts back from injury. That means an upset win over Dallas -- or an expected win over New Orleans -- could end Hurts' regular season. If Hurts loses the NFL MVP Award as a result of this injury, it would be because he played too well early in the year.
A few other players have seen their odds shorten, like Josh Allen and Joe Burrow, but both remain relative longshots to win the award. Both the Bills and Bengals have a shot to win their respective divisions, but both are unlikely to secure a first-round bye over the Kansas City Chiefs. As a result, it'll be difficult for MVP voters not to back Mahomes. The news should impact a variety of other NFL futures markets, as well.
