NFL MVP Race Heating Up

With the NFL season winding down, the NFL award winners are shaping into place. While awards such as OROY seems to be a lock for Saquon Barkley, and Aaron Donald seems to have just about locked up his second consecutive DPOY. However, the MVP race is one for the ages. The stats put up this year by Patrick Mahomes, Drew Brees, Philip Rivers, and even Aaron Donald have been unbelievable. A case can be made for each of these players, so I went around taking a survey asking people who their MVP is.

First up is second year quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. In his first year as starter he has posted 5,097 yards, 50 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a QBR of 113.8. With numbers like these he is the fan favorite, as seen in the survey 80% of people had him as their MVP. He’s also posted two 6 touchdown games within the season, and 5 games of 4 touchdowns. His arm is an absolute cannon, chucking bombs to Tyreek Hill, such as the one in the preseason which was launched 69 yards in the air alone. The only red flag for Mahomes is his 12 interceptions which is mere average, however his TD:INT ratio is still around 4:1. Sophomore, John Vallen, believes, “that Mahomes has got it in the bag.” With strong performances in the last few weeks of the season and within the playoffs, Mahomes can secure the MVP title.

However, players like Drew Brees have been giving Mahomes a run for his money, Brees has put up 3,992 yards, 32 touchdowns, and only 5 interceptions, with a 115.7 QBR. In his 18th season, Brees hasn’t lost his touch at all. His TD:INT ratio is a whopping 6:1, something rarely seen as his age and at a scale of 32 to 5. There isn’t nothing bad to say about Brees here, however only 10% of the survey predicted Brees as the MVP. Sophomore Dennis Smith thinks, “Brees deserves MVP, but I don’t think he’ll get it.” It is so hard to not give Brees the award, but Mahomes’ interceptions are the only thing that will bring Brees the award.

Philip Rivers has also made a case for himself at this point, putting up 4,308 yards, 32 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a 105.5 QBR. With more yards than Brees, and less interceptions than Mahomes, Rivers only got 5% of votes within the survey. Rivers has been extremely underrated his entire career, and unfortunately this season most likely won’t bring him home the MVP trophy.

Aaron Donald, a defensive lineman, has made a case for himself as well.  He has 59 tackles, 18 assists, 4 forced fumbles, and 20.5 sacks in a monster season. A player feared by all offensive lineman and quarterbacks, he only received 5% of votes just like Rivers. Sophomore Chris Sheehan thinks, “Donald is a great player who will only win DPOY.” It’s tough for any defensive player to win the award in such a offensive power league, Donald can hope, but the award is most likely going to a quarterback.

It is obvious Mahomes is the fan favorite for this award, but we will have to wait till February 3rd  to see who is crowned NFL MVP.