NFL 2019 MVP Odds: Patrick Mahomes Favored, Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson Lurking

The 2019 NFL MVP race is starting to take shape with every team having played at least one quarter of their schedule in the 2019 season. Players like Dak Prescott and Lamar Jackson are considered relative long shots after putting up big numbers over the first few weeks, while other contenders have emerged.

Here’s a look at the top five NFL MVP candidates through Week 5. Betting odds come from DraftKings Sportsbook.

Patrick Mahomes +120 (1,831 Yards, 11 TD, 0 INT, 114.7 RTG)

The reigning MVP is the overwhelming favorite to win the award for a second straight season. He leads the NFL in passing yards while ranking second in touchdowns and third in passer rating. Mahomes engineers a Kansas City Chiefs’ offense that’s first in the AFC in total offense. The quarterback really hasn’t had a bad game yet, though Sunday’s loss and just one touchdown in the last two games could be opening the door for other candidates to make this a close race.

Tom Brady +1000 (1,409 Yards, 10 TD, 2 INT, 99.4 RTG)

Brady is well behind Mahomes in most statistical categories, but he’s the quarterback for the only team that’s in front of Kansas City in the AFC standings. The signal caller on the league’s best team is bound to get some consideration, especially if the New England Patriots continue to maintain a perfect record. The defending champions have been winning on the strength of their defense, though Brady remains a top quarterback. Aside from a brutal Week 4 performance in Buffalo, Brady has posted a passer rating of at least 103.9 in every other game.

Russell Wilson +1000 (1,409 Yards, 12 TD, 0 INT, 126.3 RTG)

Wilson is the only quarterback that has the stats to compete with Mahomes through Week 5. He leads the NFL in touchdowns to go along with no interceptions. Having posted a triple-digit passer rating each week, Wilson has been more consistent than anyone. The Seattle Seahawks don’t have a great team. They are 4-1 because Wilson has largely carried them, exemplified by his performance against the Los Angeles Rams Thursday night. Wilson can make a case to be the frontrunner for the MVP if he has a few more games like that in primetime.

Deshaun Watson +1400 (1,364 Yards, 11 TD, 1 INT, 115.9 RTG)

The fact that Watson is playing behind one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines with the Houston Texans might bolster his MVP case. Despite facing constant pressure, the third-year player ranks second in both passer rating and touchdowns. Watson had one of the best games of the young season in Week 5, posting a perfect passer rating with five touchdowns and 426 yards on 33 passing attempts. Watson has two games with a passer rating north of 135.0, though he’s gone two games with no touchdowns and a rating below 76.0.

Aaron Rodgers +1400 (1,307 Yards, 6 TD, 1 INT, 93.4 RTG)

Rodgers largely makes the list because of his reputation. He remains one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks, but he hasn’t exactly put up big numbers through five games. Rodgers has failed to throw for even 240 yards in four of five games. It’s been the Green Bay Packers’ defense that’s carried the team to a 4-1 record and first place in the NFC North. Rodgers is the only quarterback with top-5 MVP odds that doesn’t play for a top-10 scoring offense. Green Bay will have to earn the No.1 seed in the conference in order for Rodgers to have a real chance at winning the award.