2023 NFL MVP Race: Tua Tagovalioa Skyrockets to the Top of the NFL MVP Odds Heading into Week 3

2023 NFL MVP Race: Tua Tagovalioa Skyrockets to the Top of the NFL MVP Odds Heading into Week 3

Another week in the 2023 NFL season is in the books, with plenty of movement in the NFL MVP odds race. After leading for two consecutive weeks, reigning NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes has been leaped by Tua Tagovailoa, who continues to look impressive under center with the Miami Dolphins.

Josh Allen bounced back with a 38-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, shortening his MVP odds and returning him into the top three, joined by Jalen Hurts at +1000 odds. Trevor Lawrence struggled at home in Week 2, failing to record a single touchdown against a stingy Chiefs defense, resulting in his odds going from +900 to +1200 at FanDuel Sportsbook. Lamar Jackson, who didn't do much in Week 1 against Houston, had a much better performance on the road in Week 2, throwing two touchdown passes and avoiding turnovers en route to a 27-24 win over the Bengals.

NFL handicapper Matt MacKay is back to share his latest updated NFL MVP Power Rankings ahead of Week 3.

2023 NFL MVP Odds

NFL MVP Race

Tua Tagovailoa (+500)

It wasn't a perfect game, but Tua Tagovailoa went on the road in primetime and found a way to beat Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots defense in Week 2. Tagovailoa was an early frontrunner in 2022 for the NFL MVP before a series of concussions dropped him from contention. Tagovailoa has found multiple different ways to win close games on the road, but in Week 3, he gets his first matchup at home against a Broncos defense that just surrendered 35 points to Sam Howell and the Commanders. Tagovailoa's odds are worth wagering before another potential blow-up performance makes his odds less profitable.

Patrick Mahomes (+600)

Kansas City won an ugly, low-scoring contest in Jacksonville, but Patrick Mahomes still produced, recording two passing touchdowns, including one to star tight end, Travis Kelce. Mahomes went 29-41 for 305 yards and two touchdowns, along with an interception and 30 rushing yards. He's a viable contender for MVP right now at +600 odds, preparing for a soft matchup against the lowly Bears defense at home in Week 3. We need to jump on +600 odds while we can before Mahomes explodes with massive production against Chicago in Week 3.

Josh Allen (+1000)

Bills' franchise quarterback Josh Allen shook off a four-turnover loss against the Jets in Week 1 by dominating the Raiders in Week 2. Allen completed 31-of-37 pass attempts for 274 yards and three touchdowns, avoiding turnovers, leading to a 38-10 rout of Las Vegas. Allen was an MVP frontrunner for large stretches in 2022, so given his ability to bounce back after a tough outing, he should continue to play better against the Commanders on the road in Week 3. +1000 odds is pretty lucrative, so sprinkling this number isn't a bad idea.

Jalen Hurts (+1000)

In a Thursday night shootout with the Vikings, Jalen Hurts and the Eagles went up 27-7 mid-way through the third quarter, allowing Philadelphia to coast to a 2-0 start to its season. Hurts threw a deep touchdown pass to wideout Devonta Smith, while rushing for two touchdowns using the "tush push" formation at the goal line. Hurts, who challenged Mahomes prior to his late-season injury last year, should continue to linger atop the 2023 MVP odds race entering another primetime matchup on a short week, this time, on the road against Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hurts is worth betting on before this number shortens.

Joe Burrow (+1200)

Whether it's a lingering calf injury, or poor offensive line play, Joe Burrow and the Bengals are off to another 0-2 start this season. Burrow has made it to consecutive AFC Championship games, but he'll need to kick it into another gear quickly if he wants to avoid an 0-3 start against the gritty Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football in Week 3. Burrow could potentially miss the game, according to head coach Zac Taylor, which would drop his MVP odds even further. From a betting perspective, let's wait and see if this number gets any bigger before betting on Burrow to make his MVP push.

Trevor Lawrence (+1200)

Trevor Lawrence fell victim to a stout Kansas City defense during Chris Jones' return in Week 2, failing to record any touchdowns and losing 17-9 at home to the Chiefs. Lawrence had several red zone trips to cash in with passing or rushing touchdowns, but he was simply unable to execute at the level we're used to seeing. Lawrence also had two fumbles, losing one, while getting sacked four times and rushing for 26 yards. A plus-matchup against Houston's porous run defense could get Lawrence back to +900 odds in the MVP race, which is where he was after Week 1, so let's bet his number now before it shortens.

Lamar Jackson (+1200)

After a modest start to the 2023 season, which included multiple turnovers and no touchdowns, Lamar Jackson threw for two touchdowns against the Bengals on the road in Week 2. The former 2019 MVP winner has scaled back his rushing usage a bit in Todd Monken's new offense, but he displayed an accurate, powerful arm with several impressive downfield throws on Sunday. Jackson gets the Indianapolis Colts defense at home in Week 3. For now, let's bet on Jackson's +1200 MVP odds, as these could quickly shorten with another strong outing against a mediocre Indianapolis defense.

NFL Odds

• Click here for all NFL Week 3 odds here
• The Chiefs bounced back in Week 2 when they got Chris Jones and Travis Kelce back, so have their Super Bowl changed? Get the latest Super Bowl odds here
• Which two teams will end up in the Super Bowl? Find the odds here