The NFL MVP Ladder: Wilson Lags Behind

We are about 2/3s of the way into the 2020 regular season. The playoff picture is forming, and with every passing week, the favorites for the NFL’s annual awards become clearer. A lot has changed since Seahawks QB Russell Wilson was tearing up the league over the first five weeks. Here’s the updated MVP ladder.

5. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings

With his team sitting under.500, Cook is unlikely to receive any MVP buzz. That doesn't mean his contributions should be overlooked. After five games, the Vikings were dead in the water with a putrid record of 1-4. Since then, Cook has averaged a stat line of 25/128/1 to go along with 38 receiving yards per game. The Vikings are 4-1 in the five games he’s played over that time. If the season started in Week 8, he would have a strong argument for the award.

4. Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks

When the “Let Russ Cook” campaign officially took off at the beginning of the season, it looked like Wilson was destined to shatter every major passing record that existed. He’s considerably slowed down since then, but an 8-3 record and 31 touchdowns will still put you right in the middle of the MVP conversation. The rest of Seattle’s schedule presents a great chance to finish 13-3 and boost Wilson’s candidacy.

3. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans

Adrian Peterson is the only non-QB in the past 13 seasons to take home MVP honors and now Derrick Henry has a shot to join him in history. A slow start over the first four games saw him average just 3.7 YPC, but over the last seven games, he’s upped that figure by a full two yards on high volume (22 att per game). Henry leads the league in rushing with 1,257 yards through just 11 games, and his team sits at the top of the AFC South with an 8-3 mark for the season. MVPs come through in big games, and that’s exactly what Henry did last week, rushing for 178 yards and three scores to vault the Titans over the Colts in the standings.

2. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers

The now 37-year-old signal-caller is having a vintage campaign. Through 11 games, he’s thrown more touchdowns than he has in any season since 2016. He’s also recording the second-highest TD% of his career (2011). His reputation as an interception-averse quarterback hasn’t changed either. His 8.25-1 TD to INT ratio is good for 8th all-time. Although he still has just one super-reliable pass catcher, Rodgers is still doing it just as good as anyone. 

1. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

Many tried to prematurely crown Russell Wilson earlier in the year, but Mahomes continues to make clear what we already knew: He is the best player in the National Football League. The stats speak for themselves: 3,497 yards (1st), 30 TDs (3rd), and just 2 INTs. Remember how we mentioned Rodgers’ ratio as being 8th all time? Well, Mahomes is #1. Oh yeah, his team is 10-1 as well.

Writer

-By: Micah Jimoh