NFL MVP Watch: Week 10
As we pass the halfway point of the NFL season and approach Week 10, the MVP watch should be narrowed down by now.
However, due to most of the lead candidates either playing poorly or just not playing at all in Week nine, the race is still wide open.
Kyler Murray
Kyler Murray has been the leading candidate for the MVP award all season, boasting an impressive 17:7 touchdown-to-interception ratio and 2,276 passing yards while completing 72.7% of his passes.
On top of that, he has 147 rushing yards and three touchdowns, proving he’s an elite dual-threat and one of the most dangerous offensive players in the league.
These stats, while impressive, would be meaningless if the Cardinals were losing, but they still sit atop the NFC standings with a record of 8-1, with Murray’s play being the biggest reason for that.
Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson took home the 2019 MVP award unanimously, but he might be having an even better season this campaign.
While his 15 total touchdowns are slightly lower than the other MVP candidates, Jackson’s impact has gone beyond the stat sheet.
Even with an underwhelming group of offensive playmakers, Jackson has led the Ravens to a 6-2 record while drastically improving as a pocket passer and leading his team to multiple miraculous comebacks, including one against the Vikings this past weekend.
Justin Herbert
While many anticipated a second-year jump from the 2020 Offensive Rookie of the Year, his dominance this season has still been surprising.
Coming off a 356 yard and two touchdown performance that won him Offensive Player of the Week, Herbert has established himself as a legitimate candidate for the MVP award.
On the season, he has 20 total touchdowns and 2,350 passing yards which is good for sixth-most in the league. Herbert also has the Chargers atop the tough AFC West with a record of 5-3.
Matthew Stafford
In his first season with the Rams, Stafford has had one of the best starts in his career and it’s been resulting in wins, something he didn’t experience a lot of during his time in Detroit.
Stafford currently leads the league in passing yards with 2,771 and is second in passing touchdowns with 23.
However, he’s going to need a near-flawless second half of the season to be awarded the MVP due to his poor outing in the loss to the Titans on Sunday Night Football this past weekend.
Tom Brady
Finally, we have the ageless wonder, Tom Brady.
At age 44, Brady is somehow having one of the best seasons of his career.
Even after having a bye last week, his 25 passing touchdowns are the most among any quarterback and have him on pace to tie his single-season record of 50. He is also second in passing yards with 2,650.
With Tampa Bay holding a 6-2 record and in a good position to win the NFC South, Brady could very well be en route to his fourth MVP award and eighth Super Bowl.
Jakob Schnur is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email him at jks6463@psu.edu
