How Jalen Hurts' Big Week 2 Changed NFL MVP Odds
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Jalen Hurts ran up the right sideline and appeared poised to run out of bounds after securing the first down. He could save his body from the three defenders ahead of him, and avoid an unnecessary hit – the conventional decision of any franchise quarterback.
But Hurts is different. He shuffled his feet to stop his momentum and turned upfield. He powered through one tackle attempt, spun off another and dove into the end zone with another defender on his back for a 26-yard touchdown run on a highlight only he could have produced.
Hurts was solid last year in his first full season as the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, throwing for 3,144 yards and posting 16 touchdowns to nine interceptions while adding 784 yards rushing and 10 rushing touchdowns. But Monday’s 24-7 win over the Minnesota Vikings showcased his potential to be one of the most dynamic and efficient quarterbacks in the league.
Monday's performance changed the NFL betting odds for most valuable player.
Jalen Hurts Big Day Leads Eagles to Win
There was the highlight-reel-worthy TD run, but Hurts also exhibited command of the offense, completing 26 of 31 pass attempts for 333 yards and a touchdown while also adding a 4-yard touchdown on the ground.
“It was a big-time performance by him, obviously in the run game and in the pass game,” Philadelphia coach Nick Sirianni said.
Philadelphia scored all 24 of its points in the first half, on three of its first five drives of the game. Hurts capped the 11-play, 82-yard drive with a 4-yard TD run as he overpowered multiple defenders to land in the end zone. He kept the drive alive by finding A.J. Brown for 19 yards on third-and-13 and also connected with Zach Pascal for an eight-yard gain to convert another first down.
“We operated at a high level early on in the game, and I think that’s something we have to be able to sustain throughout the whole entire game, regardless of the situation,” Hurts said. “To be able to come out here and perform at a high level as a team, that’s big for us. To perform at a high level and still leave so much money on the table.”
With only 28 seconds left in the half, Philadelphia had the ball at the Minnesota 21. Instead of being content with the lead, Sirianni remained aggressive. Hurts found DeVonta Smith for 16 yards and connected with Dallas Goedert for gains of 19 and 24 to set up Jake Elliott’s 38-yard field goal as the half expired. It was the sort of clutch drive with a limited amount of time remaining that exemplified Hurts’ growth and development as a quarterback
“He was in complete control that whole drive, and I thought that play was outstanding,” Sirianni said of the throw to Goedert. “When a guy makes a play with a little bit of presence in his face and makes that type of throw, that’s a huge play … So, that’s just being in complete control and taking what the defense gives you, and it was a big-time play by him and it got us points.”
Jalen Hurts' MVP Odds Get Much Better
Hurts’ latest performance has made him one of the MVP favorites.
Before the season he was +2200 to win the award, but after Monday's game, he has risen to +800 at DraftKings Sportsbook to win MVP.
Only Buffalo’s Josh Allen (+350) and Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes (+500) have better odds.
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