Jordan Love is a star. Fans of other NFC North teams still aren't ready to admit it, and many analysts aren't, either. But it's the reality Green Bay Packers fans have seen all year.
It's not just a Toyotathon thing. Love has been doing it all season and is finally beginning to get the respect he deserves after building an MVP resume. And now the oddsmakers see it, too.
According to Peter Dewey of Sports Illustrated, Love's MVP odds have skyrocketed from +5500 to +1500 after the Packers' big Thanksgiving victory over the Detroit Lions. Sure, an impressive four-touchdown performance against the defending NFC North champions is one way to boost your odds, but Love has been playing at this level throughout the season.
Jordan Love surges to fourth in the NFL MVP odds after big Thanksgiving victory
Matthew Stafford remains the frontrunner, although his shaky two-interception performance in the Los Angeles Rams' loss to the Carolina Panthers hurt his stock. Drake Maye is Stafford's biggest competitor with +125 odds, while Dak Prescott is just ahead of Love.
Clearly, the Packers' quarterback needs a strong finish to the season to make a serious run. But with a brutal five-game stretch against the Chicago Bears (twice), Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, and Minnesota Vikings to come, a run of victories and strong performances could get him there.
After Week 13, Love has completed 67 percent of his passes for 2,794 yards for 19 touchdowns and three interceptions, giving him a passer rating of 104.3, the fifth-best in the NFL.
Too much value in the MVP race goes to counting stats and the team's overall record, but with the Packers well and truly in the mix for the No. 1 seed, that could actually help Love's chances. Unfortunately, the MVP race has become a competition for the quarterback with the most wins, in many cases, but Love deserves to be in the conversation, regardless.
He is the league leader in EPA/play and has PFF's second-best passing grade among all quarterbacks. Pick almost any advanced metric, and Love's name sits near the top.
If he can lead the Packers to four or five victories to close out the regular season to give them 12 or 13 and potentially the NFC's top seed, Love may become undeniable. Especially if he adds another four-touchdown performance or two.
Love remains a long shot to win MVP this season, but he is finally joining the conversation, and it has been a long time coming.