Lamar Jackson and the Way Too Early Contenders

To Win the 2025 NFL MVP Award

It was a familiar story for the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL last season. Two-time MVP Award winner Lamar Jackson proved that he is a once-in-a-generation talent, delivering highlight-reel plays with regular occurrence and making the spectacular look ordinary. With the addition of Derrick Henry as running back, the former Louisville Cardinal under center had someone who was able to take the pressure off at pivotal moments and deliver powerhouse rushes on the ground when his team needed him the most.

However, when the bright lights of the playoffs began to shine, the Ravens once again went on to falter.

Baltimore’s Painful End to 2024

Baltimore had a blockbuster regular season, reeling off 12 wins in 17 games to win the AFC North for the second straight year. And it looked like their playoff curse might have been put to bed when they managed to comfortably dispatch their divisional rival Pittsburgh Steelers in the wildcard round. But in the Divisional Round, it was a different matter entirely.

The Ravens headed to Buffalo as the favorites to progress to a second consecutive AFC Championship game, but the trusty Jackson delivered two uncharacteristic turnovers to swing the contest in favor of the Bills. He would do his best to undo the mess, but a fourth-quarter touchdown-bound throw was dropped by Mark Andrews, and it was the Highmark outfit who progressed at Baltimore’s expense.

Jackson and Co. are considered contenders in next year’s Super Bowl 2026 latest odds. They have been earmarked as a +700 third favorite for the Lombardi, narrowly behind the reigning champion Eagles (+600), and the AFC champion Chiefs (+650). But for Jackson, further personal honors could be on the way.

He has claimed the regular season MVP award twice already throughout his blossoming career, and he missed out on a hat trick of titles by the thinnest of margins last season. He’s the favorite to reclaim the gong once more next term, but who are his rivals for the honor? Let’s take a look.

Lamar Jackson

Few players have the star power and statistical pedigree that Ravens superstar Lamar Jackson boasts. Already a two-time MVP, online oddsmakers have made Jackson a joint-favorite to go one better than his runner-up spot last season and finally claim a third crown. The latest NFL betting odds at Bovada currently price him at +550, and if he continues in a similar vein next year to the form that we have seen in both 2023 and 2024, it will be hard to deny him the honor. Lots of people will be keeping an eye on the betting odds to see how they unfold.

After a record-setting season last time out that saw him throw for 4,712 yards and 41 touchdowns, alongside a modest four interceptions, Jackson proved yet again why he’s one of the most electrifying dual-threat players the league has ever seen. Oh, and don’t forget his 915 rushing yards – where he added another four scores.

Jackson’s ability to break down defenses with both his arm and legs puts him in a class of his own. But for 2025, the storyline writes itself: After the loss to the Bills in last season’s playoffs, Baltimore’s main man now has a paltry 3-5 record in the postseason, and that simply has to improve, otherwise he runs the risk of becoming known as someone who chokes on the grandest stage. Yes, he may end up as the MVP once again, but the only prize on his mind in 2025 should be the Lombardi trophy.

Josh Allen

Last season, Josh Allen was the man who took the fight to Jackson in the battle for MVP glory, and he eventually emerged victorious after a career-defining campaign. This year, the two-look set to go head to head once more, with the bookies also labeling the former University of Wyoming sensation as a +550 joint favorite.

Statistically, Allen’s previous season was a showcase of efficiency and dynamic play. His 3,731 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and just six interceptions were impressive, but his contributions on the ground made him truly stand out. Allen added 531 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, demonstrating just how vital he is to Buffalo’s success. His solo touchdown in the victory against the Chiefs on week 13 will be replayed for years to come, but ultimately, it was KC who had the last laugh as they eliminated Allen and the Bills from the playoffs for the fourth time in five years.

What makes Allen’s MVP candidacy in 2025 even more compelling is the narrative glue holding it together. He was named the 2024 MVP in controversial fashion over Jackson, with many questioning whether the award should have gone to the Ravens quarterback instead. That only raises the stakes for the upcoming season and all eyes will be on Allen to see if he can silence the doubters by delivering an MVP-worthy encore, and one that ultimately results in a first-ever trip to the Super Bowl.

Joe Burrow

Had it not been for the Cincinnati Bengals missing the playoffs altogether last season, Joe Burrow would have perhaps beaten both Allen and Jackson to the MVP award. Cincy stumbled through a turbulent 4-8 start last term, but the blame can hardly be placed on the former LSU sensation. Burrow delivered the best numbers of his career in 2024, leading the league with a whopping 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns.

As such then, it makes the Bengals’ missing of the playoffs all the more baffling. But it wasn’t for the want of trying. The 2019 Heisman trophy winner put his team on his back throughout the final five games of the season, winning them all and coming within a whisker of securing a playoff berth.

They ultimately finished far closer to a spot in the postseason than they had any right to, and all of that was because of Joey B’s exploits. Next season, it’s all about mounting a deep playoff run, and if Burrow delivers similar displays to last term, then his odds of +850 to win the MVP award for the first time begin to look quite juicy.

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Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2025/04/11/street-talk/nfl-mvp-award-2025/