NFL MVP Race through Week 5: Allen, Mahomes, Jackson and Hurts
After Week 5, there are three quarterbacks we expected to be in the MVP conversation, and one that has been the surprise of the early season.
There is more than a month gone in the NFL season, and there are a couple players that are separating themselves from the rest of the pack. There was a long list of quarterbacks in the running through the first few weeks of the season, but Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen are playing on another level.
The MVP short list has started to thin due to injuries and midseason slumps. Tua Tagovailoa was in the running after starting the first three games of the season undefeated. Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense is a fraction of it was last year, and he has fallen quickly out of the running much like Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford have.
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (+200)
If Allen was already the favorite coming into last weekend, then his game against the Steelers in Orchard Park only solidified is positioning heading into Week 6. Just a minute into the game, Allen launched a missile to Gabe Davis from the Bills own two yard line that Davis took to the house. Ninety eight yards later, the Bills were up by a touchdown after giving a preview of what was to come for the rest of the day. Later in the half Allen hit Davis again for the second deep ball that went for six of the day. Allen would end the day with 424 yards, four touchdowns and an interception, not to mention his game high 42 rushing yards. Allen lead the league in passing yards, is second in touchdowns and second in QB rating. He seems to be working at a flawless level, and if he and the Bills continue to dominate he should have the MVP wrapped up.
Stats: Completion %: 66.8% Yards: 1,651 TDs: 14 INT: 4 Rating: 107.4 Rushing yards: 225
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (+500)
The Kansas City quarterback has been simply sensational. His touchdown to interception ration is the best in the league, but it’s not just the stat sheets where he drops jaws. He does things that have never been seen before in the history of the NFL. The play he had against the Tampa Bay Bucs was one of the greatest plays a quarterback has ever made. This week he there four touchdowns in a 17 point comeback over the Raiders under the lights on Monday Night Football. The Chiefs are a primetime favorite for the NFL this year, and that’s where Mahomes thrives the most.
Stats: Completion %: 66.7% Yards: 398 TDs: 15 INT: 2 Rating: 110.5 Rushing yards: 92
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (+550)
If Mahomes and Allen are Mr. Do Everything for their teams, Lamar Jackson is Mr. Have To Do Everything. The Ravens quarterback has been left no choice but to carry the team on his shoulders over the first month and a half. The Ravens defense has been sliced up like a pizza fresh of the oven over the first five games of the season, which means Jackson has to put in superhuman performances week after week. Jackson started off the season hot through the air, tossing 10 TDs in the first three weeks of the season. He has cooled down a bit in the last two weeks after facing the Bills top ranked defense and then locking horns with division rival, Cincinnati Bengals but is still third in TD passes thrown. He had just 174 yards, a TD and an INT, but 58 yards on the ground in the late win over the Bengals on Sunday night. Despite the Ravens suspect defense, Jackson continues to carry Baltimore on his back, but if he has to do that all season that could be worrisome for the dual threat QB.
Stats: Completion %: 63.8% Yards: 1,067 TDs: 12 INT: 5 Rating: 97.9 Rushing yards: 374
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (+600)
What a rise to glory it has been for the Philadelphia Eagles and their third year quarterback Jalen Hurts. He has orchestrated the only perfect start to the NFL season through five weeks of play. His numbers aren’t outstanding, but there is something to be said for being the quarterback of the only team that has yet to lose a game this season. He is as much of a threat to tuck and run as he is to launch a bomb down field to A.J. Brown or Devonte Smith. He has 266 yards and six touchdowns on the ground which is tied for second in the league, just behind Cleveland’s Nick Chubb’s seven TDs. If and when the Eagles lose, then his candidacy might take a hit considering through five games he only has four touchdowns and two interceptions. The Eagles have a huge divisional matchup against Dallas and their fierce defense this weekend. Hurts and the Eagles can make a statement with a win over the Cowboys on Sunday night.
Stats: Completion %: 67.9% Yards: 1,359 TDs: 4 . INT: 2 Rating: 97.4 Rush yards: 266 Rush TDs: 6