Kyler Murray's MVP Campaign Just Took a Big Hit
Kyler Murray just put up a stinker on primetime in a critical game against the Packers.
Even worse, he sprained his ankle, which according to Jay Glazer could keep him out for up to three weeks but could also not miss any time.
#Cardinals QB Kyler Murray sprained his ankle on the final drive of the #Packers game, according to @JayGlazer
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 31, 2021
"Legitimately sprained his ankle."
It's a 1-2 week injury.
That's bad news for the Cardinals and even worse for people who bet Murray to win MVP.
Murray has been the solo favorite to win NFL MVP for the last few weeks. Coming into this week, he was +300 on WynnBET with a solid lead on both Josh Allen and Tom Brady, who had +450 odds. After throwing two interceptions with no touchdowns and an injury, you can expect Murray's MVP odds to fall at least a bit. I still wouldn't buy them at a lower price.
We'll have to wait until Monday for the updated odds to come out, but all signs point to a downward trajectory on the second half this season. If Murray misses anytime, he faces an uphill climb to win MVP.
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Only two of the last 10 MVPs missed a game, Lamar Jackson in 2019 and Aaron Rodgers in 2011. Both times. the players were held out in Week 17 because their teams had already locked up top seeds in the playoffs. That element, being the top team in the league, is critical. And really, that's what this bet comes down to, who you think the best team will be and I don't think it's the Cardinals.
The Cardinals still have games against the Rams and Cowboys on their schedule plus a Christmas game against the Colts and two games against the Seahawks, who could have Russell Wilson back for their first one in three weeks. Of those five games, you have to think the Cardinals will lose at least two or three of them. That's not winning the NFC.
The Bucs, Packers, Rams, and Cowboys all have one loss in the NFC and are led by fellow MVP candidates Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Matt Stafford, and Dak Prescott, respectively. I'll take the first three over Murray right now. And that doesn't even include Bills QB Josh Allen and Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, who both could lead their team to the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
That's just a lot of competition for Murray to overcome. Throw in the potential injury and there's no way I'm buying his MVP chances even if his odds come back to a more appealing number.