Baker Mayfield has the Bucs on top of the NFC and himself in the driver's seat for MVP after beating 49ers

But that wasn't even his best moment. Just two plays later, he rolled out and found a wide-open Tez Johnson for a 45-yard touchdown that broke the game open and ultimately proved to be the difference. It was an excellent throw from Mayfield, but an even better catch by Johnson.

Mayfield finished the day 17-of-23 for 256 yards and two touchdowns. After Week 6, he's completed 65.1% of his passes for 1,283 yards and 10 touchdowns with just one interception. He's also run for 144 yards on 19 carries, with a long of 33.

But it's not just the numbers - it's how Mayfield is getting there, and that's why he's the leading candidate for MVP.

Mayfield is doing all of this with a very limited arsenal

Mike Evans hasn't played since Week 3. Chris Godwin didn't play the first three games and then missed this past week with a new injury. Jalen McMillan hasn't played a single snap during the regular season, and Bucky Irving missed the second game of his career this past week. Emeka Egbuka injured his hamstring and didn't play in the second half.

That's just the direct playmakers, too. The Bucs' offensive line has been jumbled and rearranged all year long. Starting right guard Cody Mauch was lost for the year after Week 2, and Luke Goedeke hasn't played since Week 2. Mike Jordan, who started at guard during the first couple of games, hasn't played in a while, either.

So, Mayfield is not only doing this without his top playmakers but also without the top infrastructure needed to play at this level. He's clearly been the difference, and it's exactly why the Bucs are 5-1 and top of the NFC.

The ironic part is that the two aforementioned plays came after Egbuka's injury was announced. Mayfield knew he had to step it up, and he did. He raised and elevated those around him, and all of this is exactly what MVP candidates and winners do.

"Every time something negative happens, he makes it a positive and he does something to give everybody hope," Todd Bowles told reporters after the game. "And that run was one of them... it happens every other week or so, and he makes those type of plays and you pray doesn't get hurt or anything happens to him.

"But he has a knack. He has a knack that you can't teach or coach."

Sure, it's only Week 6, and things can change. But if the season were to end today, Mayfield would be the NFL's MVP, and it would be hard to argue anything different.