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NFL MVP Candidates
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NFL MVP Candidates

Originally posted on The Predictors  |  By Nate Wyrsch  |  Last updated Jan 5, 2025 9:54 AM ET

With the MVP race being one of the closest we’ve seen over the last few years, it is an interesting debate as to who should win it. Entering Week 18, there are realistically only four or five players whose name can still be thrown in the mix that have a debate for the award. Below are the few players that can make a case for the prestigious award.

Clear Favorites:

Josh Allen- Buffalo Bills

16 Games Played

3,731 yards, 63.6% completion, 101.4 rating

28 Touchdowns, 6 interceptions

102 carries, 531 yards, 12 touchdowns

Josh Allen has been one of the best players in the NFL this year and has the Bills sitting at 13-3 and locked in as the two seed in the AFC. Allen has impressed all year, despite many thinking he could struggle after losing both of his top targets from last season, Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis. Despite this, Allen proved why he was one of the best in the business and spread the ball out well to his young receivers, and beat many top teams including the Chiefs and Lions. Allen will likely not improve his stats much in Week 18 as he is not expected to play the entire game, but he has put together one of his best years yet.

Lamar Jackson- Baltimore Ravens

17 Games Played

4,172 yards, 66.7% completion, 119.6 rating

41 Touchdowns, 4 interceptions

139 carries, 915 yards, 4 touchdowns

Lamar Jackson is having perhaps one of the quietest, best seasons ever. Everyone has been so focused on the players around him, such as Allen and Saquon Barkley, that his stats have somewhat flown under the radar. Jackson just completed the best season of his career, and led the Ravens to another AFC North championship. The two-time MVP is looking to add his third, and based on the stats alone, should be able to accomplish that feat. Accounting for over 5,000 yards total and 45 total touchdowns, while rarely turning the ball over, his stats and play are above everybody else in the league, and his impact on the game is greater than anyone else in the league. Adding Derrick Henry opened up his game, and he showed it with his explosion this year.

In the Conversation, but Unlikely:

Joe Burrow- Cincinnati Bengals

17 Games Played

4,918 yards, 70.5% completion, 108.5 rating

43 Touchdowns, 9 interceptions

42 carries, 201 yards, 1 touchdown

Perhaps the best pure passer in the NFL, Joe Burrow was dominant all year. Despite the Bengals sitting on the outside of the playoff picture, Burrow’s production and stats cannot be overlooked. The Bengals' offense was always reliable because of his connection with Ja’Marr Chase, and it always seemed that Burrow would make the big throw when needed. Had the Bengals won a couple more games and clinched a playoff spot early on, we would likely be talking about Burrow in the same light as Jackson and Allen.

Saquon Barkley- Philadelphia Eagles

16 Games Played

345 carries, 2,005 yards, 5.8 YPC

33 receptions, 278 yards

15 total touchdowns

Saquon Barkley was flirting with the all-time NFL rushing record, but will likely not have the opportunity to achieve it as he will likely be benched in the Eagles’ Week 18 matchup against the Giants. Barkley exploded onto the scene in Philadelphia and instantly became the most impactful running back in the NFL. He has had five weeks with over 150 rushing yards, including a massive 255-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Rams. Although Barkley may not have a realistic shot at the MVP award, he should still get recognition for his great season and becoming one of the only 2,000-yard rushers in the history of the league.

Long Shots:

Jared Goff- Detroit Lions

16 Games Played

4,398 yards, 71.7% completion, 113.6 rating

36 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 1 receiving touchdown

Jared Goff has emerged as one of the best players in football over the last two seasons, and now has the Lions on top of the NFC with one game to go. After Goff threw five interceptions in a win against the Texans, he has been on a completely different level than the rest of the league. He has thrown 20 touchdowns to one interception in the seven games after that, and only lost one of them in a close game with the Bills. Although unlikely to win this award, he will be considered for his great season and the position he has the Lions in going into Week 18.

Sam Darnold- Minnesota Vikings

16 Games Played

4,153 Yards, 68.1% completion, 106.4 ratings

35 touchdowns, 12 interceptions

202 rushing yards, 1 touchdown

When talking about the most important player to the team, Sam Darnold may be just that. Not even expected to be the starter, it took a JJ McCarthy injury for Darnold to emerge as the starter. Despite struggling in the past, Darnold came right in and delivered at the highest level. He has the Vikings sitting at 14-2 with the chance to take over the top seed in the NFC against the Lions this week. If Darnold delivers big, and takes the top spot, it will perhaps be the best story in the NFL and will almost definitely win him the Comeback Player of the Year award, if not the NFL MVP.

This article first appeared on The Predictors and was syndicated with permission.

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