NFL Odds - Tua Tagovailoa Emerges as Betting Favorite for MVP

Tua Tagovailoa is gaining recognition as an elite player and a potential MVP candidate after a strong start to the season.

The race for the NFL MVP title is always an intriguing one, but it's important to remember that after just two weeks, the frontrunner can change multiple times. While it may not hold much significance in the grand scheme of things, it does shed light on the fact that Tua Tagovailoa is starting to receive the respect he deserves as an elite player.

Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins have had an impressive start to the season. In Week 1, he threw for a whopping 466 yards and led his team to a comeback victory against the Los Angeles Chargers. In Week 2, he had a stellar first half performance and helped secure a win over the New England Patriots.

What's even more impressive is that both of these victories came on the road, with Tagovailoa showcasing his skills in both games. As of Week 2's Monday night games, Tagovailoa led the entire NFL with 715 passing yards and boasted a passer rating of 102.9. While other usual MVP favorites like Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Josh Allen may not have had the strongest starts, it's likely they'll bounce back and re-enter the race. However, if Tagovailoa can stay healthy, he will certainly be a force to be reckoned with.

It's worth noting that in a fair world, players like Tyreek Hill would also be considered MVP candidates. However, the MVP award has predominantly become a quarterback-centric accolade, making it difficult for receivers like Hill to be recognized. Even though Tagovailoa may not be ranked among the top quarterbacks in the league by most critics, he has consistently performed at a high level since coach Mike McDaniel took over last season.

When Tagovailoa has been healthy and played a full game in the past two seasons, the Dolphins have an impressive record of 10 wins and 3 losses. In his 15 starts, he has accumulated 4,263 yards, 29 touchdowns, and boasts a rating of 105.1. He led the NFL in yards per attempt last season and continues to lead through the first two games of this season. These statistics solidify Tagovailoa's status as one of the best quarterbacks in the league when he is in good health.

While Tagovailoa's odds of winning the MVP title may still be longer than five-to-one, his performance in the early stages of this season has undoubtedly confirmed his status as one of the NFL's top quarterbacks. Whether or not he ultimately wins the MVP award, Tagovailoa is proving that he belongs among the league's elite.