Do you think Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has what it takes to win the 2020 NFL MVP again? Let’s examine his chances, the BetMGM NFL futures odds around it happening and whether or not Jackson is worth a bet.
Jackson earned the 2019 NFL MVP after a magical campaign with the Ravens, his first full season as a starter in Charm City. What will he be able to do for an encore after such an impressive showing? The Ravens are expected to once again be a contender, and Jackson is certainly the straw that stirs the drink.
Keep in mind, however, that we have not had a player win the MVP award in consecutive seasons since Peyton Manning, then of the Indianapolis Colts, back in 2008-09. Previously, it was Green Bay Packers QB Brett Favre winning the award in 1995 and 1996, as well as sharing the award in 1997.
Recent NFL MVP winners
Jackson rolled through most opposing defenses like hot knife through butter in 2019, securing his first MVP award.
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes won the hardware in 2018. QB Tom Brady, then of the New England Patriots, claimed the honors for the 2017 season. In fact, a quarterback has won the award in each of the previous seven NFL campaigns, and 12 of the past 13 seasons overall.
Lamar Jackson’s 2020 NFL MVP odds
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, March 26 at 10 a.m. ET.
Jackson (+500) is actually not the favorite in 2020, as that honor belongs to Mahomes (+325).
Jackson has the same odds as Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson. New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees (+1400), Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (+1600), Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (+2000), Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson (+2000), Philadelphia Eagles QB Carson Wentz (+2000) and Brady (+2000) are next in line.
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Lamar Jackson’s stats
Jackson was drafted with the 32nd overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, but he held a clipboard for most of his rookie season before taking over late for Joe Flacco. The 2019 season was Jackson’s first full season as a starter in the NFL, and it was one of the best seasons in the history of the league for a quarterback.
He threw for 3,127 yards, 36 touchdowns and just six interceptions while running for 1,206 yards and seven touchdowns. He averaged an eye-popping 6.9 yards per rushing attempt. He broke the previous single-season rushing record by a quarterback, set by former Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick in 2006.
He is also the first player in NFL history with at least 4,000 passing yards and 1,500 rushing yards across his first 30 career games while becoming the sixth player in the Super Bowl era with at least three games with five touchdowns passes.
Is Lamar Jackson worth a 2020 NFL MVP bet?
It’s difficult to win the MVP award in consecutive seasons, and we’ve only seen it happen a handful of times during the Super Bowl era. If anyone has the goods to do it two seasons in a row, it’s Jackson. He was absolutely electric in 2019, and it didn’t seem to matter whether he was facing a struggling defense or a top-tier unit. Jackson was able to put up eye-popping numbers week in and week out.
What might be working against Jackson in 2020 is the fact his 2019 campaign was too good. If he takes a slight step back, even if he has impressive numbers, the award is likely to go to someone else. And there is always a higher risk of injury for a quarterback who runs as much as he does.
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