Happy Thursday, everyone. You’re officially one day away from Friday and 48 hours from the weekend. Here’s something new you can be expecting on Thursdays, my official and oh-so-important NFL Most Valuable Player rankings. As well as rankings for every major NFL award. I might throw in college football awards or rankings here and there as well as power rankings of teams in the NFL and other leagues. But with that out of the way, let us get started.
NFL MVP Rankings:
1. Kyler Murray
2. Dak Prescott
3. Josh Allen
4. Justin Herbert
5. Joe Burrow
The Cardinals are undefeated and Murray is the reason why. The defense is solid, coordinator Vance Joseph has been great and looks ready for another shot as a head coach. But Murray is the spoon that stirs the pot, having thrown for 17 touchdowns, 2002 yards and just five interceptions. All on a mind-blowing 73.5 percent completion rate. Not only is he slinging it downfield to DeAndre Hopkings, he’s turned back the clock on A.J. Green.
Prescott is number two, narrowly edging out Allen based on the Cowboys’ win over the Pats and the Bills’ loss to the Titans. Prescott overcame an excellent defensive gameplan by Bill Belichick and terrible game management by Mike McCarthy to lead the ‘Boys on a game winning drive. All while being on a team that is going to rely upon him scoring 24 points or more a game because that defense should not be trusted.
Allen has been excellent this year and I think he will end up being a top three MVP candidate at worst. Down by a score, Allen calmly piloted the Bills offense down to the Titans doorstep. But the Bills were stymied and on fourth down Allen was stuffed. The offensive line needed to do better but the fact remains, Allen tripped and the Bills lost. Still, the Bills offense hasn’t been this fun since Jim Kelly was around.
Herbert would have been higher on my list but the Chargers got blasted by the Ravens in their last game. Lamar Jackson just dropped out in favor of Burrow, after the Ravens got blasted by the Bengals. Cincinnati, of course, is 5-2 and third in the AFC in points scored, just what everyone predicted heading into the season…
As for the rest of the NFL’s major awards, here are my leading candidates:
Offensive Player of the Year (OPOY): Derrick Henry, Alvin Kamara, Patrick Mahomes
Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY): Darius Leonard, TJ Watt, Myles Garrett
Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY): Ja’Marr Chase, Rashawn Slater, Mac Jones
Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROY): Gregory Rousseau, Nick Bolton, Patrick Surtain II,
Coach of the Year (COY): Kliff Kingsbury, Zac Taylor, Brandon Staley
Comeback Player of the Year (CPOY): Dak Prescott
There is no one close to Henry when it comes to rushing yards, candidates for OPOY or when he lowers his shoulder near the goal line. Henry’s casual greatness should not be overlooked in an era where the ball is thrown more than ever and productive running backs are easily replaced by rookies. Kamara’s versatility is second-to-none and while he’s made more mistakes than we’re accustomed to, Mahomes is still on pace to throw for a stupid amount of touchdowns.
Leonard is a player whose impact goes beyond the stat sheet and that sheet says a lot. A linebacker with two interceptions in seven games, three forced fumbles and just as many fumble recoveries not to mention 52 tackles. He is the heart and soul of the Colts defense and is easily the best linebacker this side of Bobby Wagner. Garrett’s 9.5 sacks in seven games is ridiculous, he is the most unblockable pass-rusher we have seen since Von Miller was healthy. (TJ) Watt has been a little dinged up and his absence from the Steelers defense is noticeable. But his impact is irrefutable, just see seven sacks, 21 tackles, 12 QB hits and three forced fumbles in only five games.
It’s early in the rookie races but Ja’Marr Chase seems like he has the OROY award well in-hand. Grabbing 201 receiving yards in one game and 754 in seven games while terrifying elite defensive backs like Marlon Humphery and Jaire Alexander will do that. Slater has been a rock on the Chargers offensive line and is a big reason they’re 5-2, although his status as a lineman will make it difficult to win the award. DROY is a much more open race with the Bills’ Rousseau, Chiefs’ Bolton and Broncos’ Surtain II all making solid arguments to start the season.
Kliff Kingsbury has to be the front-runner for coach of the year. His team is the last remaining undefeated squad and his offense looks unstoppable. Zac Taylor rebounded from two years of disaster to lead his team to a 5-2 record, giving the Bengals a good chance at making it to the postseason for the first time since 2015. Meanwhile, Staley took a talented but oft-injured and underperforming Chargers group to 5-2 in his first year, while doing something the Chargers have failed to do in recent years, win close games.
We may not have as heartwarming a tale as Alex Smith for CPOY, but Prescott is unquestionably the leading candidate, carrying his Cowboys team to first in the NFC East and while throwing for 300 yards and two touchdowns a game.
Agree or disagree? I’m sure you’ll find a way to let me know, but these rankings will shift as the season does, so don’t miss next Thursday.
