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Monday’s game between the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers is setting itself up to be one of the best matchups of the 2023 NFL regular season. It is not only a potential Super Bowl preview between two of the best teams in the league, but it also might play a major role in deciding who wins this year’s NFL MVP Award.
The game will feature three of the leading MVP candidates as quarterbacks Brock Purdy (San Francisco) and Lamar Jackson (Baltimore) and running back Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco) will all share the field.
While McCaffrey has a strong argument to win, it will likely come down to the two quarterbacks and a big showing in a head-to-head meeting in a standalone, nationally televised game could be a determining factor in who wins.
According to oddschecker, Purdy and Jackson enter the week as the top-two betting favorites.
Both players are well positioned to win the award as it usually goes to a quarterback on a contending team, so right away they each check a major box. Their on-field performances only add to their status as MVP front-runners.
That is especially true for Purdy in recent weeks as he has worked to shatter the notion he is simply a system quarterback who is a product of the talent around him. Since the start of November, he has led a six-game winning streak for the 49ers that has seen him throw for 1,762 yards, 17 touchdowns and only two interceptions. The 49ers have won all six games by double-digits.
For the season, he is up to 29 touchdowns and only seven interceptions and is in the top five league-wide in yards (second), completion percentage (fourth), passer rating (first), QBR (first) and touchdowns (first).
Jackson’s passing numbers are not quite as gaudy when compared to Purdy’s, but Jackson has the bonus of being the best running quarterback in football. He has still thrown for over 3,000 yards and 17 touchdowns, while also rushing for an additional 741 yards and five touchdowns. All of that has made the Ravens offense one of the best in the NFL and driven them to the top of the AFC standings.
The winner of Monday’s game will be in the driver’s seat for the top seed and home-field advantage in their respective conference. It will also probably require a big game from their quarterback against a top-tier defense on the other side of the field. That big game could be the deciding factor for many MVP voters.
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