NFL MVP Watch: Week 3

Story posted September 24, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by Joey David

The NFL has gotten off to a very fiery and competitive start with many players and household names of the league starting off incredibly hot. There are also unexpected players that have come out of the gate hot and are exceeding all expectations.

The NFL MVP has become an award that has recently been exclusive to quarterbacks. Since 2000, only four running backs, Marshall Faulk, Shaun Alexander, LaDainian Tomlinson and Adrian Peterson have won the MVP award — the rest have been quarterbacks.

Honorable Mentions:
Joe Flacco: QB, New York Jets

Josh Allen: QB, Buffalo Bills

The odds-on favorite before the season to win the award began this year exceeding the already high expectations he had for him. In two games, Allen has completed 75.4% of his passes, totaling 614 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions.

Not only has Allen been slinging the ball around effortlessly, but the Bills as a whole have been a team that everyone in the NFL is going to be afraid to face. The Bills have outscored their opponents 72-17 and have shown no signs of slowing down any time soon. If Allen can keep this play up, he will not only get to the playoffs, but also have a real shot at the Super Bowl and the MVP trophy.

Patrick Mahomes, QB Kansas City Chiefs

Say goodbye to Tyreek Hill and throw some doubt on Patrick Mahomes and this is what happens. Many experts were worried about the Chiefs depleted wide receiver core and how that would affect Mahomes, but it is safe to say that doubters have been silenced.

In the first two games, Mahomes has tallied up a 73% completion percentage, 595 yards and seven touchdowns without a single interception. The Chiefs have started out the season with a 2-0 record and are atop the AFC West. It is safe to say that even after losing an All-Pro receiver in Hill, Mahomes has not lost a step.

Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams

Look at this! Someone that is not a quarterback! The ex-triple crown winner of the NFL has not slowed down so far this season. In two games, Kupp has totaled 13 receptions on 15 targets and 11 receptions on 14 targets. Kupp has also racked up 236 yards and three touchdowns over the past two games.

It is safe to say that the Matt Stafford and Kupp connection is stronger than ever, even after the departure of former offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell. This Rams offense also seems to be centered around Kupp, showing that he is more important to the offense than any other receiver as well as the running game as a whole.

Darius Slay, CB, Philadelphia Eagles

Let’s take a look at the defensive side of the ball now, especially with someone who turned many heads after this past Monday night. Slay has been a lockdown corner for most of his career, but since coming to the Eagles, he has started to get more respect from the NFL fan base and experts.

He already has two interceptions, both while covering Justin Jefferson, who most consider a top three wide receiver. He has not missed a tackle yet this year and has also allowed a completion percentage of 30% and a quarterback rating of 49.2. The 2-0 Eagles have been red-hot on both sides of the ball and Slay has become a captain and leader of this defense. If the Eagles continue to succeed, look to see Slay’s name come up in conversation a lot.

 

Joey David is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email jtd5508@psu.edu.