NFL MVP Watch: Week 7
As we approach the midpoint of the NFL season, Super Bowl contenders are beginning to emerge, while some of the early season pretenders have taken a few steps back.
Additionally, we also are beginning to get a handle on which players are the favorites to end the 2021 season being known as the best in the league.
Here are three serious MVP candidates that stand out through seven weeks:
Derrick Henry, Running Back, Tennessee Titans
The last time a running back was named MVP was back in 2012 when Adrian Peterson won.
Could Henry be the next running back to win the award? If he maintains his play thus far, there is a strong chance he will be.
Through seven games, Henry has already accumulated a dominant 879 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.
Those 879 yards are notably almost 300 more than any other back in the league, proving that Henry is simply a level above his peers at the moment. And frankly, it has been that way for three seasons now.
At 4-2, Tennessee is starting to establish itself as a viable AFC contender. Perhaps it is time Henry finally gets the major recognition he deserves for putting the Titans on his back week in and week out.
Kyler Murray, Quarterback, Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray and the Cardinals have yet to lose in 2021 and currently look like major Super Bowl contenders. This has to position Murray as one of the MVP frontrunners up to this point.
So far this season, Murray has already thrown for 2,002 passing yards, scored 20 total touchdowns, and completed a hyper-efficient 73% of his passes.
These elite stats confirm what the Cardinals’ offense has proven consistently all season. They are a truly formidable team, and with all their weapons, a real threat in the NFC.
The sky's the limit for Murray, and as long as he continues to make use of his wide array of offensive talent, Arizona could have its very first MVP winner in the franchises’ history.
Tom Brady, Quarterback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady has shown zero signs of slowing down in his 22nd season. He continues to defy the odds and produce at an extremely high level.
Through the first seven weeks this year, Brady is the NFL’s passing yards leader, recording 2,275 yards while also tossing for 21 touchdowns and only three interceptions.
As Brady continues to thrive, so does this 6-1 Tampa Bay team. Despite numerous injuries, particularly on defense, the Buccaneers have just kept winning games.
As Brady continues to guide Tampa Bay towards greater heights each week, he also could be headed towards the fourth MVP win of his career.
At age 44, that would be quite the accolade, not that Brady needs any more of those to cement his legendary status.
Joe Tuman is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email joentuman@gmail.com.
