Mahomes the new frontrunner in Super Bowl MVP odds

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is the new frontrunner to win Super Bowl MVP, following the shocking loss by Aaron Rodgers and his top-seeded Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round.

Ahead of last weekend's games, Rodgers was a slight favorite (+350) over Mahomes (+525) to collect his second Super Bowl MVP award. Now Mahomes is a heavy +160 favorite to win Super Bowl MVP for the second time in three seasons, after his Chiefs edged past the Buffalo Bills in an instant-classic Divisional Round clash.

Mahomes back in peak form for playoff push

Mahomes was magical in Sunday's 42-36 overtime thriller. He completed 33 of his 44 passes for 378 yards and three scores, to go along with a game-high 69 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.

His opponent, Josh Allen, was nearly perfect in the game, too. Had he gotten the better of Mahomes on Sunday, he'd likely enter this weekend as the favorite for MVP.

Both quarterbacks passed for more than 300 yards, threw at least three touchdown passes, completed at least 70% of their passes without an interception, and led their teams with at least 65 yards rushing.

The final two minutes of the game saw three lead changes and 25 points scored in a back-and-forth brawl that was ultimately decided by Kansas City winning the coin toss in overtime and scoring on its first possession with a Travis Kelce touchdown reception.

With Mahomes seemingly back in peak form, the Chiefs — who will make their fourth straight AFC title game appearance — are listed as a seven-point home favorite against the Cincinnati Bengals, who beat Kansas City at Paul Brown Stadium in Week 17.

"Joe Cool" now a +1000 choice for MVP

In their regular-season matchup, the Bengals bested the Chiefs, 34-31, as second-year quarterback Joe Burrow passed for 446 yards and four scores, while Mahomes was held to 259 yards and two touchdowns.

The Bengals own the longest odds (+800) to win Super Bowl LVI, but this young and hungry team can hang with anyone.

After Cincy ousted the AFC's No. 1 seed, Tennessee, on the road, Burrow moved up the odds board to become the fifth choice to win Super Bowl MVP (+1000).

Rookie wideout Ja'Marr Chase, Burrow's former college teammate, is the next Bengals player listed on the board. He's a longshot (+5000) to steal the award from Burrow, should Cincinnati win its first Super Bowl title.

Stafford, Kupp lead Rams in MVP odds

In Sunday's NFC Championship Game, the Los Angeles Rams are set to host NFC West foe San Francisco inside SoFi Stadium, the home of Super Bowl LVI.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is now the second choice to win Super Bowl MVP (+325), after he entered the Divisional Round weekend with +1100 odds.

Against the defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Stafford turned in a respectable performance, with 366 yards on 28-of-38 passing and three total scores, but his Rams nearly imploded in the second half and allowed the Bucs to tie the game, 27-27, with 42 seconds remaining.

Ultimately, Stafford played hero and found receiver Cooper Kupp (a +800 choice to win MVP) for two deep passes to set up a game-winning field goal as time expired.

The Rams defense also got a strong performance from three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald (+2000 to win MVP), who sacked Tom Brady for a loss of seven yards, recorded three quarterback hits, and one pass defensed in the game.

Midseason Rams acquisition Von Miller is a longer shot to win his second career Super Bowl MVP (+3300). He tallied four total tackles, one quarterback hit, and forced a fumble on his sack of Brady early in the fourth quarter.

Garoppolo, Samuel worth a look on 49ers

While the Rams have been a popular Super Bowl pick all season, they have struggled against their division opponent, San Francisco, and lost both of their regular-season games against the 49ers in Week 10 and Week 18.

Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan has defeated Rams head coach Sean McVay in their last six meetings and could end up back in the Super Bowl for the second time since February 2020.

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is the third choice (+800) to win Super Bowl MVP, but the strength of this 49ers team is its defense and ground game.

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel (+1600) has played a greater role in the Niners' rushing attack in the second half of the season and has run for a touchdown eight times over the past 10 games.

Defensive end Nick Bosa (+3300) is another intriguing longshot play for Super Bowl MVP. Bosa cleared concussion protocol in time to participate in the 49ers' 13-10 win over Green Bay, in which the only points by San Francisco came off a special teams touchdown and two field goals.

Bosa was excellent in that matchup, with two sacks and a forced fumble of Rodgers at the San Francisco 14 with 26 seconds before halftime.

In Super Bowl LIV in 2020, Bosa accounted for a sack, a forced fumble, and a pass defensed, and arguably deserved Super Bowl MVP consideration, had the Niners topped the Chiefs.

Should the 49ers defeat LA for the third time this season, Bosa will undoubtedly play a key role in the victory, and will be an X-factor in a potential rematch with Kansas City in Super Bowl LVI.