With only one game left in the NFL season, the Eagles and Chiefs are gearing up for Super Bowl LIX. Now, sports bettors can take a closer look at the odds for who might take home the MVP trophy in this highly anticipated matchup. Let’s explore the potential contenders.
As the Super Bowl matchup is locked in, Patrick Mahomes, a two-time regular-season MVP and three-time Super Bowl MVP, leads the odds for MVP honors. Mahomes’ Chiefs are slight favorites to claim the title, according to the betting lines. Kansas City, the conference’s top seed, has won the Lombardi Trophy in the past two years, with Mahomes earning the MVP both times. Following the Chiefs’ victory in the AFC Championship, Mahomes’ odds shortened from +280 to +109.
In second place for MVP odds is Eagles’ running back Saquon Barkley, while Philadelphia’s quarterback Jalen Hurts rounds out the top three. Barkley, the only non-quarterback contender, has been a force in the playoffs, accumulating 442 rushing yards and five touchdowns across the wild card, divisional, and conference championship rounds.
Mahomes showcased his mobility once again in the playoffs, with two rushing touchdowns playing a key role in helping the Chiefs defeat the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship, marking their second win over Buffalo during Kansas City’s dominant stretch. As the two-time defending Super Bowl champions, the Chiefs are favored to repeat, with Mahomes earning Super Bowl MVP honors in both of the previous victories. This year, Kansas City is once again the favorite to defeat an opponent it triumphed over on the same stage two years ago. It would take an extraordinary performance from another player on the Chiefs to prevent Mahomes from securing a historic third consecutive MVP for the team.
Saquon Barkley (+250)
If there were an NFL Playoffs MVP award, Saquon Barkley might already have it sealed before the Super Bowl. The rookie running back for the Eagles came into Sunday’s NFC Championship with a postseason-leading 324 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He continued his dominant run, adding 118 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a standout performance against the Washington Commanders.
Jalen Hurts (+375)
Jalen Hurts threw for 259 yards in the Eagles’ first two playoff victories. In the NFC Championship, he completed 20 of 28 passes for 246 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for three touchdowns on 10 carries (16 yards). If the Chiefs manage to neutralize Barkley in the Super Bowl, Hurts could very well push himself into contention for the MVP award with another stellar performance.
Prediction
I think the Chiefs will win the Super Bowl and if they do, it is hard to see the MVP being anyone other than Mahomes so he is my pick to be the Super Bowl 59 MVP.
The Super Bowl MVP Award is given annually to the player deemed most valuable in the NFL’s championship game. A panel of 16 football writers and broadcasters, along with fan voting, determines the winner. Since Super Bowl XXXV in 2001, fans have been able to vote electronically. Their ballots account for 20% of the total vote, while the media’s votes make up the remaining 80%. Fans can vote online and media voters typically cast their ballots with about five minutes left in the game, though they can change their vote afterward. Voters are allowed to choose one player from each team but cannot select an entire unit. The winner is always a player from the winning team, except in 1971. Dallas linebacker Chuck Howley won the award despite the Cowboys’ loss to the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl V.
Since the award’s inception in 1967, the Super Bowl MVP has been awarded annually. Initially, SPORT magazine presented the award until 1989. Bart Starr, the MVP of the first two Super Bowls, was followed by others like Joe Montana, Tom Brady, and Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes was the most recent recipient in Super Bowl LVIII. Brady holds the record with five Super Bowl MVPs. Starr, Bradshaw, and Mahomes each have two, with Bradshaw and Starr winning back-to-back titles. Super Bowl XII saw the unique occurrence of co-MVPs, with Harvey Martin and Randy White sharing the honor. Quarterbacks have won the award 33 times in 58 games, the most frequent recipients.
Starting out in the betting industry, Henry later found his calling in sports writing. Specializing in soccer, golf, and darts, he also offers insights into a wide array of sports across the globe. After earning a BA Honors degree in Business and Management, Henry advanced through the ranks at William Hill in England. His career isn't just limited to sports; he's also made a mark in Property and Finance, fields in which he remains engaged. Henry now resides in Barcelona, where he enjoys playing golf year-round as part of the Real Federacion Espanola de Golf.