The last few weeks have been brutal to the Baltimore Ravens, as running backs J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill have all suffered season-ending injuries. Not to mention star cornerback Marcus Peters' torn ACL. However, if there's a silver lining to be had for Ravens fans now, it's that their electric QB Lamar Jackson has now gained a stronghold as the favorite for the NFL Most Valuable Player award for the upcoming 2021 campaign. Here's why.

First off, Lamar is only two seasons removed from his last MVP campaign, in which he threw for over 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns compared to only 6 interceptions, while also running for 1,206 yards and another 7 touchdowns. Oh, and it also didn't hurt that the Ravens finished 14-2, blowing through the rest of the AFC North. That season was pretty bonkers, and, while many saw his 2020 season as a considerable step down, he still had another 1,000 yard rushing season and scored 36 total touchdowns to 9 interceptions.

Now that the Ravens' top 3 options at RB are all injured heading into the year, Lamar will have to take on more rushing responsibility than he did even in 2019. Back then, at least he had Mark Ingram. Edwards and Dobbins' absence vacates 15 rushing touchdowns from last season, and, while Devonta Freeman, Le'veon Bell, and Ty'Son Williams will receive carries, it's hard to see them combining for that total. That means more goal-line rushing opportunities for Lamar, more carries in general for Lamar, and more passing attempts as well. It's a statistical fantasy.

The best argument against Lamar's odds at winning more hardware this year is that, if he has already started regressing from his best season, then defenses are only going to continue to figure out his unconventional play-style more than they already have. Fans and media alike have been saying this for 37 regular season games, and teams clearly still haven't figured him out, as he's gone 30-7 in his career as a starter. His playoff struggles are irrelevant as well, as MVP is a regular season award.

The only thing that could really hold Jackson back is the Ravens' team record. With Marcus Peters out for the year as well, they will have a less fortified defense in years past and will have to rely on throwing the ball more often as well. Missing the playoffs would almost surely take away any chance that Lamar has at MVP. However, given that Baltimore has made the playoffs three seasons in a row, there's a low chance of that happening.

Place your MVP bets on Lamar Jackson as fast as you can.