Going into Week 16, the playoff picture and status of all 32 teams both have become increasingly clear. It is that time of year where conversations about the Most Valuable Player (MVP), Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY), Offensive Player of the Year (OPOY) begin to ramp up. While only one person will win each award, it is important to note that every team has had players perform above expectations. The below names are each NFC team’s MVP this season. All stats and grades are sourced from Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Click here to see each AFC team’s MVP
Each NFC Team’s MVP for the 2021 Season
Dallas Cowboys, Micah Parsons
Through the first half of the season, Dak Prescott was been phenomenal, but the second half of the season has been all about the defense for the Dallas Cowboys. Micah Parsons has been amazing since day one. With comparisons to the greatest defensive player of all time, Lawrence Taylor, being made while also being one of the favorites for DPOY as a rookie, it is hard to argue anyone else being the team’s MVP right now. Parsons has 13 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 54 solo tackles with a PFF grade of 83.3
Philadelphia Eagles, Darius Slay
Darius Slay has re-established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. The Pro Bowler has been excellent in coverage. He has recorded three interceptions thus far this season and scored three touchdowns on defense. Slay has played like a lockdown corner and has earned himself an 81.6 PFF grade.
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New York Giants, Xavier McKinney
It has been a tough year for the New York Giants. Xavier McKinney, however, has shown that he is still capable of playing like an elite safety in this league. He ranks first among all safeties in interceptions with five and has a PFF grade of 73.8.
Washington Football Team, Jonathan Allen
The Washington Football Team has been a disappointment this year, especially on defense. Yet there was one bright spot throughout the year, Pro-Bowler Jonathan Allen. The interior lineman has nine sacks on the year and has put constant pressure on quarterbacks all season long. Allen has a PFF grade of 87.6
Chicago Bears, Robert Quinn
Robert Quinn has taken on the role of the number one pass rusher for the Chicago Bears with Khalil Mack being injured. Quinn has quietly amassed 15 sacks on the season which is third in the NFL. He has also forced three fumbles and has a PFF grade of 68.8.
Detroit Lions, Penei Sewell
The Detroit Lions are one of the teams with zero Pro Bowlers this year, yet they have been in a lot of close games. This team has no real stars, but they do fight hard every game. One bright spot on this team has been tackle Penei Sewell, the rookie out of Oregon. Whether it is pass protection or run blocking, Sewel has performed admirably after getting off to a slow start. Sewell has allowed only five sacks after playing 909 snaps and he has a PFF grade of 78.0.
Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers has been phenomenal and he is one of the favorites to win the NFL MVP award. He is a big reason the Green Bay Packers have an 11-3 record, have clinched the NFC North, and currently sit as the number one seed in the NFC. He ranks fifth in touchdown passes with 30 and only has four interceptions while being top 10 in pass yards. Rodgers has a PFF grade of 84.6.
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Minnesota Vikings, Justin Jefferson
The Minnesota Vikings are still fighting their way into the playoffs, and none of the success they have managed to have would have come without Justin Jefferson. He is a true threat to stretch the field, and one of the best receivers in the league. Jefferson is second in receiving yards with 1,335 and fifth in touchdowns with nine. He has a PFF grade of 89.8.
Atlanta Falcons, Cordarrelle Patterson
Cordarrelle Patterson has emerged as one of the most versatile players in the NFL. He has five rushing touchdowns and 557 rushing yards, but he also has five receiving touchdowns with 524 receiving yards. Patterson has kept defenses guessing all year and has a PFF grade of 86.0.
Carolina Panthers, D.J. Moore
It has been an up and down season for the Carolina Panthers, yet D.J. Moore has continued to impress. He has had a few quarterbacks throwing to him this year and has managed 78 receptions and 986 receiving yards with a PFF grade of 77.2. Without him, this offense would be very ineffective.
New Orleans Saints, Cameron Jordan
The New Orleans Saints defense has been great this year, and it has mostly been led by Cameron Jordan, whose impact does not always show up in the box score. Yet, he has still managed to put up six sacks and two forced fumbles on the year. He was selected to the Pro Bowl and has a PFF grade of 79.8.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tom Brady
The 44-year-old has done it again. Tom Brady has the Tampa Bay Buccaneers first in the division, and he was selected to the Pro Bowl. Brady is first in pass yards (4,348), first in pass touchdowns (36), and he has thrown only 11 interceptions. Brady is one of the front runners to win another NFL MVP as his play never seems to regress. The ageless wonder has a PFF grade of 90.0.
Arizona Cardinals, Kyler Murray
Kyler Murray got off to a blazing hot start at the beginning of the year and was a favorite to win NFL MVP. His electric style of play running and throwing the ball was hard to defend. Unfortunately, he had to miss some time due to injury and is still working on getting back in rhythm, but the culture he established with the Arizona Cardinals is the main reason the team is seeing so much success. Murray has 20 passing touchdowns to 11 interceptions with 3,039 passing yards and 270 yards rushing. Murray has also recorded five rushing touchdowns and has a PFF grade of 83.5.
Los Angeles Rams, Cooper Kupp
Cooper Kupp is on pace to have the greatest season ever by a wide receiver. He is the clear favorite to win OPOY and his stats speak for themselves. Thus far he already has 122 catches (first), 1,625 receiving yards (first), and 14 receiving touchdowns (first). Kupp has a PFF rating of 91.6.
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San Francisco 49ers, Deebo Samuel
Deebo Samuel has been an excellent dual-threat running back for the San Francisco 49ers this season. George Kittle is usually the star of this team, but since he has missed so much time to injury this year, Samuel has stepped up and embraced a larger role. Samuel has 1,088 receiving yards, five receiving touchdowns, 269 rushing yards, and seven rushing touchdowns with a PFF grade of 84.9.
Seattle Seahawks, Bobby Wagner
Bobby Wagner has still got it. Wagner has been holding down the Seattle Seahawks defense for years now and he is still playing at a high level. He was selected to the Pro Bowl this year and has recorded 113 solo tackles (first) along with an interception and forced fumble. Wagner has a PFF grade of 73.3.
Click here to see each AFC team’s MVP
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