Rodgers’ Super Bowl MVP odds shorten after Divisional Round

Aaron Rodgers' Super Bowl MVP odds saw significant movement this week, after his Green Bay Packers dismantled the Los Angeles Rams in Saturday’s Divisional Round matchup.

The nine-time Pro Bowler is now a +325 choice to collect the Super Bowl LV Most Valuable Player Award, while quarterback Patrick Mahomes remains steady as the +300 favorite.

Mahomes had previously stood alone as the clear frontrunner on the odds board, but his injury from Sunday’s matchup with Cleveland could hinder the Chiefs’ chances of reaching the big game on Feb. 7.

In the third quarter of Kansas City’s 22-17 Divisional Round win, Mahomes absorbed a nasty hit from Browns linebacker Mack Wilson and was forced into concussion protocol. It was later determined the Chiefs QB had tweaked a nerve in his neck and may be sidelined Sunday against Buffalo.

If Mahomes is unavailable, backup Chad Henne will start in his place, which would likely make the Chiefs an underdog in the AFC title game.

Rodgers, Packers in peak form against Rams

The NFC playoff picture is a bit clearer. Rodgers and his offense looked as strong as ever on Saturday, as the Rams’ No. 1 defense struggled to stop Green Bay’s run game and receiver Davante Adams.

Aaron Jones, a +3000 longshot to win Super Bowl MVP, ran for 99 yards and a score on 14 carries, while Adams (+1500) reeled in nine catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.

Rodgers masterfully guided the offense, as he completed 23-of-36 passes for 296 yards, and accounted for three total touchdowns.

He and the top-seeded Packers will get another home game at Lambeau Field in the NFC championship tilt, and must slay the dragon that is four-time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady in order to reach the Super Bowl.

Brady’s Super Bowl LV odds skyrocket, but his defense proved most valuable

Brady and the fifth-seeded Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally downed the New Orleans Saints in their third meeting of the 2020 season.

The six-time Super Bowl winner was a steady force for the Bucs, but Tampa Bay’s defense was the key difference-maker in the 30-20 victory.

Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, linebacker Devin White, and safety Mike Edwards each recorded an interception of Brees, while rookie safety Antoine Winfield Jr. forced a fumble that set up a game-tying touchdown in the third.

White, who was listed at +12500 in the Super Bowl MVP odds last week, is now a +5000 longshot for the award. In addition to a crucial interception midway through the fourth quarter, he also led his team in total tackles (11) and recovered Winfield’s forced fumble, which he ran for 18 yards into New Orleans territory.

As for Brady, his own Super Bowl MVP odds jumped from +1300 to +625. Should he get past Rodgers — whom he has defeated twice in three career tries — the 43-year-old would compete for his seventh Super Bowl title and a record fifth Super Bowl MVP award.

Don’t sleep on Allen and Diggs in Buffalo

Two other players with a legitimate shot at Super Bowl MVP honors are Bills quarterback Josh Allen and his top receiver, Stefon Diggs.

Against the Baltimore Ravens, Allen put up 206 passing yards and connected with Diggs for a touchdown. The Bills wideout also caught eight passes for 106 yards.

The Bills are just a 2.5-point road underdog against a potentially Mahomes-less Chiefs team.

Either Allen or Diggs would be the most likely to claim Super Bowl MVP, should they lead Buffalo to its fifth Super Bowl appearance and the franchise’s first Super Bowl win.