Can Lamar Jackson Win MVP for 3rd Time?

Lamar Jackson is chasing history again this season, looking to add a third MVP trophy to his collection after injuries derailed his 2025 campaign. For anyone following Maryland sports betting markets, Jackson's bounce-back bid is one of the top storylines of the year as he tries to claim his second MVP award in three seasons.

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A Season Cut Short by Injury

Jackson electrified 2025, at least in the beginning. In Week 1 against the Bills, he completed 14 of 19 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns while adding 70 rushing yards and a score on six carries. He followed that up with 225 passing yards and four touchdowns against the Browns in Week 2, then torched the Lions in Week 3 with 288 yards, three touchdowns through the air, and 35 rushing yards on seven attempts.

Then came Week 4 against the Chiefs, where a hamstring injury knocked Jackson out of the lineup for several weeks. When he returned, he was clearly not himself. Over his final stretch of starts, he went 5-4 as a starter, throwing 11 touchdowns against six interceptions and rushing for just one score. The explosive, dual-threat version of Jackson that dominated the first month of the season never fully reappeared. Now the question is whether he can rediscover that form and prove last year was the exception, not the new normal.

Checking the MVP Odds

DraftKings currently has Jackson at +800 to win MVP, the second-best odds on the board behind Josh Allen. Anyone browsing Maryland sports betting apps this preseason will notice Jackson still sits well ahead of the rest of the field, a sign that bettors believe his 2025 injury was more bad luck than decline. Given his rushing floor and Baltimore's expectation to contend for the AFC's top seed, Jackson offers real value in a crowded market that also includes Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes, and Justin Herbert. If he stays healthy for a full 17 games, his combination of efficient passing and standout rushing production gives him a weekly stat line that few in the field can match.

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A New Coach and a Loaded Schedule

Baltimore enters the season under new head coach Jesse Minter, who takes over after John Harbaugh's long run leading the franchise. The Ravens will play their usual AFC North gauntlet against the Bengals, Browns, and Steelers, plus a notable slate that includes a road trip to Buffalo, home games against the Jaguars and Chargers, and a road matchup with the Texans and their stingy defense. Minter's background as a defensive mind could pay dividends if Baltimore's unit can return to form after last year's injury-riddled struggles.

For Jackson to deliver a third MVP and push the Ravens back toward a Super Bowl run, both his health and Baltimore's defense need to hold up over a full season. If those pieces fall into place, Baltimore could once again be one of the most dangerous teams in the AFC.