Usually by this point in the season, there is at least one or two players who start to separate themselves from the pack in the MVP race. This time last year, the hype surrounding Lamar Jackson was starting to pick up, and by this time in 2018, Patrick Mahomes was already the runaway candidate. However, this season, no one is really standing out. They’ve all had at least one game where they’re really struggled and looked poor. So, this week, I thought I’d run down my top five MVP candidates and see how they stack up.
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers has been back at his dazzling best for the majority of this season. Now 36-years-old, going into the season you would have been forgiven if you though Rodgers was starting to fall off. That possibility was certainly on the Packers mind as they drafted his potential replacement, Jordan Love, in the first round of the draft. However, that competition seems to have spurred on Number 12, as he came out the gates on fire, torching the Minnesota Vikings for nearly 400 yards and 43 points in week one. Despite playing incredibly well for pretty much the entire season, he did have a wobble in week six when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defence shut him down, allowing him no touchdowns and picking him off twice.
Aaron Rodgers had 6 Big-Time Throws and 0 Turnover-Worthy Plays in a game for the first time since Week 10 2015pic.twitter.com/zevNZbheBb
— PFF (@PFF) September 14, 2020
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
Two weeks ago Russell Wilson was by far and away the favourite for the MVP award. However, last week he had a rough game against the Buffalo Bills and he was mistake-prone this week against the Los Angeles Rams, throwing up a couple of poor interceptions. That doesn’t take away from the fact that apart from that, Wilson has been exceptional. The narrative around the Seahawks this season has been “let Russ cook”. In essence; put the ball in Wilson’s hands and let him make plays. It’s worked for the most part, as Seattle look like one of the best teams in the league and are in the top tier of Superbowl contenders.
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
2020 could have gone a number of ways for Josh Allen. He could have struggled to show development and continued to be an erratic quarterback. Instead, he has taken multiple strides forward and turned into one of the most exciting players to watch in the NFL. He has been the driving force behind the 7-3 Buffalo Bills, and has made his team look like a surefire playoff team. That said, it hasn’t been an entirely mistake-free season, and there has been games where he’s struggled and looked like his old, inconsistent self. For the most part, though, Josh Allen has been phenomenal
Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It seems bizarre to say that Tom Brady is flying under the radar, but over halfway through the season, that’s what it feels like. Despite a magnitude of injuries to his surroundings cast (including his number one receiver, Chris Godwin, and his number one tight end, OJ Howard), Brady has been undeniably good in his first season in Tampa. His ruthless efficiency has turned them into the highest scoring offence in the league and for the first time in nearly two decades, the Buccaneers look like true Superbowl contenders. Of course, all of this is with the exception of the New Orleans Saints game, when Dennis Allen’s defence did the impossible and made the greatest quarterback of all time look like a lost rookie.
Tom Brady to Rob Gronkowski
— SAVAGE BOSTON🍀 (@SavageBoston) November 15, 2020
Never gets old. pic.twitter.com/TUg6nHW9kP
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Probably for at least the next decade, Patrick Mahomes will perennially be in this MVP discussion. He’s special, and while he hasn’t been at his unplayable best for the entire season, he has lead the Chiefs to the second best record in football and has put up a ridiculous stat line of 25 touchdowns to only one interception. Kansas City are the best team in the NFL, and Mahomes is a big part of what makes them so good. Even if he’s not playing at his absolute best, he’s still better than 90% of the league, and just the thought of what he can do at the drop of a hat gives defences nightmares.
