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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley catapulted himself near the top of the NFL MVP race on the strength of Sunday night’s performance against the Los Angeles Rams.
Barkley went for a franchise-record 255 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and caught four passes for 47 yards in Philadelphia’s 37-20 win.
The betting markets responded accordingly as his MVP odds have shrunk dramatically on DraftKings Sportsbook. They were +750 in the immediate aftermath of the game and have gone down to +500.
“He’s as good as there is as a slash runner to be able to work edges and then be able to erase angles and be able to finish,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said after the game, per ESPN’s Tim McManus. “And that’s why he had the production that he had, and that’s why he’s had arguably an MVP-type of season so far.”
It has been more than a decade since the NFL MVP went to a position other than quarterback. Adrian Peterson took the award home in 2012 after hitting 2,000 rushing yards, and he’s the only non-quarterback winner since 2006.
Barkey isn’t the clear MVP favorite right now. He trails the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen (+150) and Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson (+275) at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Should the Eagles continue winning and their star ball-carrier keep this production up, though, he could overtake the field.
Though 11 games, Barkley is averaging 126.5 rushing yards per game. Maintaining that pace puts him around 2,150 yards for the season, which would be an NFL record.
The two-time Pro Bowler said he’s “not surprised” by his output in 2024 since in the offseason he pictured Philadelphia being a place where he could thrive and “kind of rewrite my story,” per McManus.
Barkley added that his overriding priority this season is getting a Super Bowl title over earning any individual honors.
“I love being in that conversation,” he said. “It’s cool and all. But it’s a team sport. And if you told me I can have the year I’m having and win MVP but not win the Super Bowl, or I can have the year I’m having and not win MVP or Offensive Player of the Year and win the Super Bowl, I’m going to take the [second] one.”
Considering the Eagles have the second-best record in the NFC (9-2), it may not have to be an either or.
For all the latest betting information and reaction, check out B/R Betting.
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