The field is starting to be trimmed down for the 2022 NFL MVP award as we push past Week 12 of the regular season. Here’s what you need to know with the latest odds from BetMGM in the race for the league’s top individual honor:
Top players to watch
QB Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
The Kansas City passer continues to build on his MVP lead. Mahomes’ numbers weren’t off the charts by his standard in the Chiefs’ Week 12 win against the Rams. He threw for 320 yards with one touchdown and one interception resulting in an 85.4 passer rating, which is his third-lowest single-game rating this season. But he’s in a virtual tie with the Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa in Expected Points Added per dropback (via TruMedia) at 0.32 and ranks fourth with a 105.4 passer rating. Plus, Mahomes leads the NFL in passing yards (3,585) and passing TDs (29).
The Chiefs will face the Bengals in Cincinnati in Week 13.
QB Jalen Hurts, Eagles
Pardon the pun, but it’s not like Hurts is hurting his chances to win the MVP award every week. He just lacks the clout Mahomes has built over the years. Hurts pulled off his typical multi-faceted output in the team’s 40-33 win over the Packers in Week 12. Hurts threw for 153 yards with two TDs and no interceptions resulting in a 96.3 passer rating. He also added 157 rushing yards on 17 carries. The fact this is becoming more commonplace shows he has staying power. Hurts ranks third in passer rating this season at 105.6.
The Eagles will host the Titans in Philadelphia in Week 13.
QB Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins
You know it’s going well when you’re pulled from a game in the third quarter with your team winning. Tagovailoa threw for 299 yards and one TD resulting in a 96.9 passer rating in less than three quarters during Miami’s Week 12 win over the Texans. To show what kind of a tear the Miami quarterback is on over the last month, Sunday’s game versus Houston was the first time Tagovailoa yielded a passer rating below 135.0 in the last four weeks. He hasn’t thrown an interception since Week 4 with 11 TD passes and no picks in a five-game span. Tagovailoa leads the NFL in passer rating at 115.7.
The Dolphins will travel to San Francisco to face the 49ers in Week 13.
QB Josh Allen, Bills
The Bills have bounced back in their last two games, but both have been too close and Allen has seemed vulnerable for about the past month. Allen’s passer ratings in each of his last five games: 75.1, 46.8, 78.6, 100.4, 80.8. He certainly helped the Bills storm back on Thanksgiving against the Lions. He threw for 253 yards with two TD passes and one interception, along with 78 rushing yards and one TD. He’s still third in the NFL in EPA per dropback at 0.21, but ninth in passer rating at 95.2.
The Bills will head to New England to play the Patriots in Week 13.
QB Joe Burrow, Bengals
The Bengals quarterback continues to hang around. A gutty win over the Titans in Week 12 likely helped his odds. Burrow threw for 270 yards with one TD resulting in a 91.0 passer rating. He ranks sixth in EPA per dropback at 0.12 and in passer rating at 101.7. Burrow is tied for second with Allen with 23 TD passes compared to eight picks and third in passing yards with 3,160. Given the players ahead of him, Burrow still seems like a longshot or a sleeper for this award at this point. But he should be getting Ja’Marr Chase back soon. And one-upping Mahomes in a Week 13 matchup could bring Burrow closer to the pack.
(Photo: Denny Medley / USA Today)
.