Top 5 NFL MVP Candidates
Written by: Andrew Felton
With only one week of the longest NFL regular season left, let’s take a look at who could be the top 5 candidates and favorites to win the league MVP award.
5. Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals)
Has Joe Burrow squeezed himself into MVP talks after his last two displays in week 16 and 17? I think so. Burrow has thrown for a combined 971 passing yards with 8 touchdowns beating both the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs to clinch the AFC North division title. Burrow has thrown for over 4,600+ yards with 34 touchdowns, breaking both single season records for the Bengals in passing yards and touchdowns, beating Andy Dalton's records. Burrow also ranks fourth in most passing yards in a single game with 525 yards, which he set in a win against the Ravens during week 16.
With Burrow leading the Bengals to a 10-6 record, with one game remaining, can he make one last push to edge the MVP award or will he have to wait another year? With last season being disappointing through injury, is this the Joe Burrow we can expect to see every season? And if so surely it will not be long until we see him in a Superbowl as MVP.
4. Cooper Kupp (Los Angeles Rams)
Kupp has been an absolute nightmare for defenses across the whole league, but a dream for anyone with him in Fantasy Football. Now we all know it is a longshot for a wide receiver to win the MVP award, as it normally goes to a Quarterback with the odd running back. However, there is no denying Kupp being in contention this season as he currently ranks first in receptions (138), yards receiving (1,829) and touchdowns (15) amongst all Wide Receivers.
With one game remaining Kupp has already broken the receiving yards and receptions record for the Rams franchise, with his sights set on the single season receiving yards record which is only 115 yards away. If Kupp beats this record he needs to be taken into consideration for this MVP award and will look to help the Rams push on to the Superbowl, after helping them to a record of 12-4 with one game left.
3. Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts)
Jonathan Taylor has been in a class of his own this season as a running back. He currently leads the way with 1,734 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns, with a further 342 receiving yards and another 2 touchdowns, taking his season total to 20. The Colts are currently second in the AFC south division with a record of 9-7 hoping to make the playoffs with a win in their last game against the Jaguars. With the help of Taylor, the Colts should progress into the playoffs with the hope that Taylor can make one last push for the MVP award.
Taylor had a standout performance against the Bills in week 11 with 5 touchdowns, rushing for 185 yards, showing that in only his second NFL season he is going to be a top running
back.
2. Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers)
A lot of people may not agree with Rodgers at number two however, I do believe he is currently being pipped to the number one spot. With uncertainty about whether Rodgers would play for the Packers this season, he has shown that at the age of 38 he can still lead a team to being Super Bowl favorites. Rodgers has thrown for 3,977 yards, 35 touchdowns and is tied-1st with the fewest interceptions with only 4. He has led his Green Bay Packers team to a record of 13-3 boasting the best record in the NFL and Rodgers will be looking for his fourth and consecutive league MVP titles.
1. Tom Brady (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
My number one for MVP this season is Father time himself and the G.O.A.T Tom Brady. Brady is currently leading all quarterbacks in passing yards with 4,990 and with one regular season game left, should break 5,000+ passing yards. Brady also boasts the most passing touchdowns with 40, even adding two rushing touchdowns and at 44 years of age has 81 rushing yards for the season, which is his most since 2011.
With Brady leading the Bucs to the NFC South division title, with a current record of 12-4, the only thing that may stop Brady winning his fourth MVP award is his 14 interceptions this season and being shut out in a loss to the New Orleans Saints. However, we can only hope he will be playing the game for a few more years, as the entertainment and pure skill he provides is so exciting to watch week in week out.
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