Lamar Jackson now the odds-on favorite to win NFL MVP

Lamar Jackson is a human highlight reel and may be the most entertaining quarterback since the 2006 version of Michael Vick. The Ravens star is on pace for 1,274 yards rushing, which would shatter Vick's single-season quarterback rushing record by more than 200 yards.

It's no surprise Jackson's heroics have made him the favorite to win the NFL MVP at -200. If you do not think he is the frontrunner, then you better see Mark Ingram in B'more outside the bank. Woot woot!

Jackson started the season at +4000 to win the NFL MVP Award. Those preseason odds were fair, considering what we saw from Jackson in 2018. If you took his stats and extended them through a 16-game season, he would have finished with 2,546 passing yards, 1,271 rushing yards, 11 passing touchdowns, nine rushing TDs, seven interceptions and nine lost fumbles. Now he is projected for 3,530 passing yards, 1,274 rushing yards, 35 passing TDs, nine rushing TDs, seven interceptions and zero lost fumbles. Those look like MVP numbers to me.

Odds to win the NFL MVP award

Jackson compares favorably to Newton

The only comparison of previous MVPs in today's NFL would be the 2015 version of Cam Newton. The Panthers quarterback finished that season with 3,837 passing yards, 636 rushing yards, 35 passing TDs, 10 rushing TDs, 10 interceptions and four lost fumbles. Newton won the MVP with 48 of the 50 votes. The numbers favor Jackson to run away with the MVP votes.

However, Jackson is so much more than just numbers and statistics. The MVP argument also includes the eye test. This guy just makes amazing plays at the highest level. The Ravens quarterback looks like he is still playing in college or high school with the way he makes people miss. Jackson makes even the most athletic players in the league look as if they are not on his level.

This spin move against the Bengals should be illegal.

Oh yeah, he can also make you look silly with his arm...

Wilson is Jackson's only competition

Russell Wilson is the only contender left, other than Jackson. Wilson also has his team sitting at 9-2, just like Jackson. He is on pace for 4,272 passing yards, 394 rushing yards, 35 passing TDs, four rushing TDs, four interceptions and three lost fumbles. While these are impressive numbers, they still pale in comparison to Jackson's.

The two quarterbacks went head to head October 20 in Seattle, and the Ravens came out on top, 30-16. While Jackson had maybe his worst game of the season through the air, he managed to rack up 116 yards rushing and a touchdown. Wilson performed even worse than Jackson did through the air if you look at their passer ratings. Wilson put up a 65.2 compared to Jackson's 69.4.

There is still more than a month to go in this season, but Jackson has already proven himself in marquee games against Wilson, Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson. He is the only quarterback to throw for five touchdowns in his first Monday Night Football game. The MVP race is a runaway.

---

Wager on all Week 13 NFL action now at BetAmerica!