NFL MVP Watch: Week 1
Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season is in the books, and so many players have already turned in incredible performances. Here are the top five players on MVP watch after the first week of aciton.
Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
This should not come as much of a surprise. Allen and the Bills went to the defending Super Bowl champion Rams’ home field on Thursday night and dominated the whole game.
The final score of 31-10 doesn’t even truly do justice to the effort put up by the Bills. Of course some early game mistakes were made by Allen - it’s the very first game of the season in a packed SoFi Stadium.
Allen’s two interceptions did very little to help the Rams out, and the scoreboard reflects that.
Allen tossed three touchdown passes in his 297-yard air raid at an absurd 83.9 completion percentage, completing his Thursday night with a 112.0 passer rating. However, Allen is way more than just an arm - his 56 rushing yards alongside his touchdown on the ground prove it.
Allen and the Bills look as good as expected, and it’s unlikely they cool down any time soon.
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
What happens when you replace Tyreek Hill with JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling? According to Mahomes, not much changes.
The Golden Boy of the NFL looked absolutely dialed in against the Cardinals on Sunday, turning in the best QB performance of the week.
The numbers truly speak for themself; 360 passing yards, five touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 76.9 completion percentage and an outrageous 144.2 passer rating.
If Mahomes can turn in another spectacular season with this supporting cast, it’s going to be difficult to deny him the award.
Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
Herbert looked sharp in his season debut against the rival Raiders, in a rematch of last season’s Week 17 game in which the Raiders won off a last second field goal.
Herbert responded with 26 completed passes on 34 attempts for 279 yards in the air and three trips to the endzone. His 76.5 completion percentage and zero interceptions show great signs for his third year campaign.
The main reason to believe in Herbert is the incredible supporting cast the Bolts’ front office has surrounded him with. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are both likely 1,000 yard receivers this year, and the offensive line is absolutely elite.
Herbert has all the tools to win the MVP this year.
Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings
To be honest, this is not about Cousins. This is about being the arm connected to this Minnesota offense, which easily has the potential to be the NFL’s best.
Justin Jefferson is poised to be a top-three level receiver this year, Dalvin Cook consistently is an elite running back, and rookie head coach Kevin O’Connell is the missing piece that Minnesota has been searching for.
This offense simply needs a quarterback with good decision making, strong leadership, and elite accuracy.
Cousins is the man for the job.
Against a very strong Green Bay defense Cousins looked mechanical, dishing out two touchdowns in his 277 passing yard night. No interceptions and a 71.9 completion percentage just show that Cousins can easily be the engine in this offense that could break some records.
If the Vikings continue to roll, don’t be surprised when Cousin’s name is thrown around for the MVP award.
Geno Smith, QB, Seattle Seahawks
Is this pick realistic? Maybe not. But ask these questions:
Who was the second most accurate quarterback in Week 1?
Who outplayed top-10 quarterback Russell Wilson?
Who led the worst ranked team (per PFF) to a week one win?
The answer to all of the above is Geno Smith. If he can keep this miracle run alive, anything can happen.
Nolan Collery is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email njc5848@psu.edu.
