In the 2021 NFL football season, the Arizona Cardinals are off to the best start in the league at 5-0. Quarterback Kyler Murray has been in the early running for the NFL MVP award.
He can solidify his standing with a big win against the Cleveland Browns in Week 6. Current sports betting odds for that matchup have the Cardinals as 2.5-point underdogs on the road.
Will Kyler Murray be the MVP in 2021?
NFL Quarterback Rankings 2021
Among NFL quarterbacks, Murray isn’t the most well-known, but he’s making a name for himself so far this season.
He’s led the Cardinals to the top of the NFC West, a division that includes the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and San Francisco 49ers.
In Week 6, the Cardinals beat the 49ers, 17-10. In that game, Murray threw for 239 yards and one touchdown. He also spread the ball to seven different receivers, a key to his MVP candidacy in 2021.
Before Week 5, it looked like Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was gaining ground on Murray, but the Chiefs lost a tough game at home against the surging Buffalo Bills.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen had a stellar performance on Sunday night in a 38-20 victory over the defending AFC champions. Allen threw for 315 yards and three touchdowns on only 15 completions. He also had a rushing touchdown, with 11 carries for 59 yards.
After Allen and Mahomes, Murray also shares company with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. After a slow start, Rodgers has led the team to four straight victories, including an overtime road win against the Cincinnati Bengals last week.
Second-year starter Justin Herbert is also in the race, throwing 11 touchdown passes in the last three games for the Los Angeles Chargers. And of course, there’s Tom Brady, who was quiet in Weeks 3 and 4 only to demolish the Miami Dolphins last week. Against Miami, he went 30-for-41 with 411 yards and five touchdown passes.
So, Murray has a lot of solid competition this year.
What Are Murray’s Chances to Win the NFL MVP in 2021?
Current MVP odds put Kyler Murray in second place behind Josh Allen. However, Allen has surged in recent weeks after the Bills scored more than 35 points in their last four contests.
In two of their next four games, the Bills will face the worst teams in the NFL, the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-5) and the New York Jets (1-4). Meanwhile, the Cardinals will take on the Cleveland Browns (3-2) next week, a challenging road game.
After that, their schedule includes games against the Packers and the Carolina Panthers. They will also have to play the 49ers again on the road.
Murray’s chances to win the NFL MVP in 2021 depend on his ability to perform at a high level against tough divisional opponents, strong defenses, and top quarterbacks. So far, he’s shown himself to be capable of that.
In an impressive victory against the Rams in Week 5, Murray completed at least two passes to six different receivers. He also scrambled out of the pocket for first downs whenever necessary. For that reason, the Cardinals won the game 37-20 a week after the Rams defeated the defending Super Bowl champions.
Can Kyler Murray Lead His Team to the NFC West Championship?
The following eight games for the Cardinals include six teams with a winning record. If Kyler Murray can lead his team to victory in at least half of those matchups, his chances to win the NFL MVP this year will remain extremely high.
What do you think? Can Kyler Murray win the NFL MVP in 2021?
Head on over to BetMGM’s Arizona sports betting site to place your bet on potential NFL MVP candidates. Of course, you can also bet on every NFL game this season, so sign up for an account today.
NFL Odds From Your Phone
You can bet on NFL odds from your phone with mobile sports betting. From the BetMGM Sportsbook app, you have access to updated odds, live NFL betting, and more. Download the app and get closer to the action today!
