Stampede Blue
Dear Stampede Blue Reader,
As you might have noticed both on our dear SB Nation site and elsewhere on the internet, the conversation around Jonathan Taylor has changed dramatically as of late. From becoming the Offensive Player of the Year favorite a few weeks ago, to now being discussed as a legitimate MVP Candidate (if not favorite for a lot of analysts) after yet another 3 Touchdown game ignited MVP chants in Lucas Oil Stadium 2 weeks ago, despite Taylor being *gasp* not a Quarterback.
The Colts Running Back is chasing history with his production, and in the process trying to end the 12 year streak of QBs winning the NFL’s most prestigious individual award. Many great RB seasons have tried in those 12 years to dethrone the QBs’ reign, with only 2017 Todd Gurley and 2016 Ezekiel Elliott able to get more than 2 votes (Gurley with 8, Elliott with 6) in the 50 member voting panel from the Associated Press.
But with Taylor potentially being the biggest threat to LaDainian Tomlinson’s Single-Season 31 Rushing and Receiving Touchdowns record with 14 TDs through 9 games (a 26 TD pace through 17 games), his 2025 campaign might dwarf all other RBs’ since Tomlinson’s dominant 2006 year.
Still the precedent is what the precedent is. Despite Taylor’s incredible season thus far, he is not the betting favorite of MVP candidates. Per VegasInsider, which uses the combined odds of 5 leading sportsbooks, Jonathan Taylor has the 11th best odds to win MVP behind 10 Quarterbacks! Taylor’s odds stand between +2500 to +3500 to win it, but 4 QBs have odds better that +600 to win MVP. So let’s play devil’s advocate. What is the case for each of the top QBs in the NFL? Do they have a strong enough season to fend off the pesky Colts back nipping at their heels?
The new favorite for the MVP award, Josh Allen surpassed Patrick Mahomes (more on him later) according to oddsmakers after a Week 9 victory over his AFC foe. Allen is no stranger to the award, netting a 1st place MVP vote in 4 of the last 5 seasons and finally winning it last year. If he wins again in 2025, Josh Allen would become the 12th multi-time MVP in NFL history, a feat shared exclusively by NFL Hall of Famers among eligible retired players. Allen would be tied with Mahomes and Lamar Jackson for 2nd most MVPs among active players behind only Aaron Rodgers. A 2nd straight MVP isn’t just about recognition for Allen, it’s about legacy.
Allen’s stats in 2025 and his end of season pace are among the best in the NFL.
