The start of the 2025 National Football League (NFL) season triggered a global wave of betting activity over the weekend.
The Most Valuable Player (MVP) award was one of the most popular markets, and was headlined by some of the league’s most talented quarterbacks.
The NFL 2025 MVP picks by Spreadex Sports highlighted there was little to choose between the top four players and they were eager to make the mark in their first outings.
Read on as we assess how each of them fared on the opening weekend, starting with a player who won the MVP award in 2023.
Lamar Jackson – Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson has already been touted as a future Hall of Famer, despite failing to lead the Baltimore Ravens to the season-ending Super Bowl.
Jackson’s 3-5 play-off record has resulted in many people questioning whether he has the mental fortitude to deliver for the Ravens in high-pressure games.
He was on course to lead the Ravens to an eye-catching victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, but his team blew a 15-point lead to lose 41-40.
Jackson did not play badly and similar performances will be enough to beat lesser teams. However, this result has not enhanced his chances of regaining the MVP prize.
Josh Allen – Buffalo Bills
A 15-point lead with four minutes remaining is generally good enough to win a game in the NFL. However, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen had other ideas.
Allen demonstrated why he was chosen as the MVP last season by inspiring the Bills to a remarkable comeback against a team which has been touted as potential Super Bowl winners.
He finished the game with 394 yards and two touchdowns through the air. He added another pair of scores on the ground. As stellar performances go, this was right up there.
The Bills have been handed a relatively favourable schedule this season. If Allen maintains his form, he will be tough to beat in the race to win the MVP award.
Joe Burrow – Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow was desperate to lead the Cincinnati Bengals to victory in their season opener against the Cleveland Browns. They achieved the feat, but only just.
Their nervy 17-16 victory included a possession that featured three sacks on three plays. They also went an entire quarter without manufacturing a first down.
Burrow admitted that the Bengals ‘stole’ the win, which was an understatement. He tallied 113 yards on 4.9 yards per attempt with a touchdown through the air.
However, winning without playing well is a good habit to get into. Burrow’s talent will ensure he will have much better days than this as the campaign progresses.
Patrick Mahomes – Kansas City Chiefs
Two-time MVP award winner Patrick Mahomes (2018 & 2022) made an underwhelming start to the 2025 season with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Los Angeles Charges claimed a fully deserved 27-21 victory in Brazil, capitalising on a slow start by the Chiefs to claim an early advantage in AFC West.
The Chiefs went scoreless in the first quarter, with their first three drives all ending in punts. They scored two field goals before half-time, but that was as good as it got.
Mahomes admitted after the game that he had underperformed. He will need to improve significantly if he wants to remain in contention for the MVP prize.
