2022 NFL MVP odds: Eagles sitting injured Jalen Hurts Week 16 could cost QB shot at award, spread jumps vs. Cowboys

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts became the betting favorite for NFL MVP for the first time this season following Week 14. He's now back as the +550 second favorite at Caesars Sportsbook behind Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes (-300) despite the Chiefs nearly being shocked in Houston in Week 15. Any shot Hurts has of becoming the first Eagle in the Super Bowl era to win MVP likely would end if he doesn't play Saturday (Christmas Eve) in Dallas – and he might not because of a shoulder injury. The Cowboys opened at -2 but are now -6 because of Hurts' uncertain status.

Philadelphia improved to an NFL-best 13-1 but was pushed Sunday in a 25-20 win in Chicago. Hurts threw for 315 yards and two picks, his first game this year with multiple interceptions. Though Hurts didn't throw a touchdown, he did rush 17 times for 61 yards and three scores.

Hurts became the third QB ever with at least 300 passing yards and three rushing touchdowns in a single game, joining Dak Prescott (Sept. 20, 2020) and Jack Kemp (Oct. 26, 1963). He also became the fourth QB in NFL history with two career games of at least three rushing touchdowns, joining Daunte Culpepper, Johnny Lujack and Tobin Rote. Hurts has a combined 35 passing and rushing TDs this season, tied with Randall Cunningham in 1990 for the most in a season in franchise history.

Finally, Hurts is now second in the league with 13 rushing scores. Those are the second-most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a season in NFL history. Only Cam Newton had more with 14 in 2011 with Carolina. Detroit's Jamaal Williams, who leads with 14 rushing TDs, is +260 to win that title with Hurts +275.

Hurts apparently sprained his shoulder in the third quarter Sunday when Bears defensive end Trevis Gipson drove him into ground. Frankly, there's little reason to play Hurts on a short week. Because Dallas was upset in Jacksonville, the Eagles have a three-game lead atop the NFC East and also essentially a three-game lead atop the conference because they hold a head-to-head tiebreaker against Minnesota (11-3). Thus, the Eagles' magic number is one to become the top seed. Philadelphia closes at home vs. New Orleans and the New York Giants.

Mahomes retook the MVP lead by completing 36 of 41 passes for 336 yards and two TDs and rushed for a score in Sunday's 30-24 overtime win in Houston. He completed his final 20 passes. Mahomes' 87.8% completion rate was the highest in a game among players with at least 40 attempts in NFL history. Mahomes leads the league in passing yards (4,496) and TD passes (35).

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