2023 NFL MVP odds tracker: Lamar Jackson holds massive lead heading into final week
Ahead of Week 18, the NFL MVP race is not much of a race.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is a far and away favorite to win the NFL's most prestigious individual award. Now that he's sitting out his team's regular season finale, there isn't going to be one final poor performance that could hinder his impressive campaign.
With just one game remaining in the regular season, the more exciting race may be the one for second place. There are multiple candidates that have had strong seasons of their own, all worthy of some down-ballot votes.
Here's everything to know about the NFL MVP race ahead of Week 18, courtesy of BetMGM.
NFL MVP odds tracker: How things looked after Week 17 action
NFL MVP odds: How the race looks before Week 18
1. QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (-10000)
Last week: 1 (-160)
Jackson jumped into the odds lead for the first time after a stellar performance in a Week 16 victory over the 49ers. He hasn't looked back since.
His Week 17 outing against the Dolphins might have been the best of the season. In the Ravens' 56-19 victory, Jackson was 18-21, passing for 321 yards and five touchdowns while adding 35 rushing yards on six attempts.
The NFL MVP odds leader will sit out in Week 18 when the Ravens host the Steelers to close the season.
2. QB Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (+1800)
Last week: 6 (+1800)
The Cowboys are on the brink of winning the NFC East, in large part thanks to the year Prescott has had under center.
Dallas' crucial Week 17 win over the Lions saw the quarterback complete 26 of his 38 pass attempts for 345 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Prescott and his team can win the division with a Week 18 victory over the Commanders in Washington.
3. QB Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (+2500)
Last week: 4 (+1200)
Purdy was in the driver's seat of the MVP odds race for several weeks in a row before a four-interception outing against the Ravens in Week 16.
He climbed his way back into the top five with a solid performance in a win over the Commanders last week. Purdy was 22-28 with 230 passing yards and two touchdowns.
The second-year quarterback will sit in Week 18 when the 49ers take on the Rams to close out the season.
4. QB Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (+3000)
Last week: 5 (+1300)
Allen was 15-30 for 169 yards and one interception against the Patriots in Week 17. He and the Bills will fight for the AFC East title in their regular season finale against the Dolphins.
5. RB Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers (+4000)
Last week: 2 (+400)
McCaffrey rushed for 64 yards on 14 attempts (4.6 yards per carry) and caught four passes for 27 yards before departing the 49ers' Week 17 game early with a calf injury. He will sit out San Francisco's Week 18 finale.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL MVP odds race: Lamar Jackson is clear favorite before final week
