Caesars Sportsbook released their latest odds for the 2021 NFL MVP race.
As expected, quarterbacks dominated the list, with Tom Brady on top at +350.
Rounding up the top five are Josh Allen, Kyler Murray, Matthew Stafford, and Dak Prescott.
While all five play-callers have solid credentials for the award, none of them is the rightful choice.
Weirdest NFL MVP race ever. I don’t even think there’s a frontrunner at this point.
— Randall Williams (@randalIwilliams) November 8, 2021
No, it’s not even reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers who led the Green Bay Packers to seven straight wins after their opening weekend loss.
Instead, Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens must be dominating the betting odds.
His numbers may not be on par with the other players mentioned above.
However, none is more valuable to his team’s success than him because of the following arguments.
3. Who Are His Top Receivers?
This point is not a knock against Marquise Brown and Rashod Bateman because they are talented players.
However, compare them to the receiving corps of the other top candidates, and you will understand their high statistics.
Allen has Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley, and Emmanuel Sanders, while Murray has A.J. Green, DeAndre Hopkins, and Christian Kirk.
Stafford has Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods while Prescott throws passes to Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb.
End zone angle of Rashod Bateman’s catch on a scramble play with Lamar Jackson after pocket broke down.
Love that the rookie knew to break from his route from the other side of the field and already has enough chemistry and trust with Lamar to do this.
Oh, sensational grab too pic.twitter.com/DtIHFfjfF1
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) November 10, 2021
Brady has an all-star cast in Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown, Mike Evans, and Rob Gronkowski.
Yet despite the quality of their receivers, the Ravens are 6-2 because of Jackson’s overall impact on the field.
Aside from completing 65 percent of his passes, the Ravens are still the best rushing team in the NFL despite losing J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards to season-ending injuries.
Jackson has his fingerprints all over Baltimore’s success in the first half of 2021, and no other quarterback could claim such impact.
2. Where Would The Ravens Be Without Him?
Jackson isn’t the scapegoat anymore for the Ravens’ failures because he’s the primary reason for their victories.
He has to play excellent for them to win, and it’s hard to see them having a winning record if not for his exemplary performances.
In contrast, the Arizona Cardinals won with Colt McCoy under center while the Dallas Cowboys scored a victory with Cooper Rush at quarterback.
It looked like the Ravens were on the verge of losing to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9 after trailing 14-0.
.@stephenasmith is going Tom Brady over Lamar Jackson for MVP this year 👀
"I think that with Lamar Jackson in Baltimore, as great as he has been, there's been too many times [he] struggles at pivotal moments." pic.twitter.com/nF5EO9MP78
— First Take (@FirstTake) November 9, 2021
However, Jackson willed his team to victory by throwing for three touchdowns and rushing for 120 yards.
His impact enabled them to defeat the Vikings in overtime.
To drive this point further, the Ravens are 3-1 when trailing by double-digits at halftime, while the rest of the league is 8-93.
Therefore, Jackson inspires his team to overhaul deficits to win games.
Who else in the NFL could claim that effect this season?
1. He’s A Reliable Two-Way Player
There will always be criticism of Jackson not completing enough passes.
However, he has 173 completions through eight games, putting him above Jalen Hurts and Baker Mayfield.
Jackson also had games with 287, 316, and 442 passing yards.
Highest passing grade from a clean pocket this season
Lamar Jackson – 89.4 🎯 pic.twitter.com/48xvZ5erKI
— PFF (@PFF) November 10, 2021
The Ravens needed all those yards, especially in their overtime victories against the Vikings and the Indianapolis Colts.
But Jackson becomes an outlier among his contemporaries because of his feet.
He had to run more because of their patchwork backfield, and he’s enjoying some success.
He’s on pace for another 1,000-yard season on the ground, and he already has two 100-yards games.
One of one 😈
Lamar Jackson has passed Michael Vick for the most 100-yard rushing games by a QB with 12. (including playoffs)
(📍 @USAA) pic.twitter.com/JXmQm4mexv
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 7, 2021
The former Louisville standout also averages 6.2 yards per carry and has two rushing touchdowns.
The four-year pro is doing everything to keep the chains moving for the Ravens.
Because of this, the Ravens are at the top of the highly-competitive AFC North.
NEXT: Ravens Show Off Balanced Rushing Attack In Blowout Win Over Chargers
