With only three weeks left in the regular season, the NFL MVP race is starting to look like a clearer picture. Patrick Mahomes has re-taken his spot at the top, while a new name emerged on the top five.
READ MORE: Offensive Rookie of the Year Candidates
NFL MVP Race Entering Week 16
1. Patrick Mahomes
The king is back on top. After a one-week absence, Mahomes reminded everyone that he is the best quarterback of his generation. Facing off against a Houston Texans team that put up a surprisingly strong fight, Mahomes completed 36 of his 41 passes for 336 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. The Chiefs clinched the AFC West and are tied for the best record in the AFC despite having a bad defense and unremarkable playmakers outside of Travis Kelce. This team will go as far as Mahomes can bring them, and he can bring them anywhere.
Patrick Mahomes produces more highlights in one season than most do over an entire career.
Here’s 6 RIDICULOUS plays through 14 games.
#ChiefsKingdom #MVPat pic.twitter.com/6HfobBLIbx— The Chiefs Pod (@TheChiefsPod) December 19, 2022
2. Jalen Hurts
It speaks to how good Hurts is that what he did in Week 15 is considered a disappointment. The former second-round pick had an up-and-down day, completing 22 of his 37 passing attempts for 315 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions. He easily made up for his pedestrian passing numbers with his legs, as he finished the night with 61 and three touchdowns on the ground.
It’s safe to assume that this relatively underwhelming day had something to do with his shoulder injury. Hurts suffered a shoulder sprain midway through Sunday’s contest, and recent reports indicate he could miss two games. This will make it hard for him to win the MVP, as the best ability is availability, but it’s not completely out of the question yet.
3. Josh Allen
It’s safe to say that Josh Allen is over the elbow injury that affected him early in the season. After a couple of mixed performances, the Bills franchise passer is back to looking like his September self. Playing in the elements, Allen completed 25 of his 40 passes for 308 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions while erasing an eight-point fourth-quarter deficit against a good Miami Dolphins team. Allen’s impressive play has the Bills atop the AFC and he could very well win the MVP with a strong finish to the season.
4. Joe Burrow
It is such a shame that the first month of the season happened for Joe Burrow. Since October, the Bengals quarterback has been one of the best in the business, and his latest work only cements his status as a franchise quarterback. Facing off against the Buccaneers, Burrow completed 27 of his 39 passes for 200 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception while erasing a 17-0 deficit. While it wasn’t four quarters of dominance, he still had a good game that merits a spot on this list.
5. Justin Herbert
Making his first appearance in the NFL MVP race is Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. Herbert is a phenomenal player that has been in one of the worst situations throughout the year. He’s battled injuries throughout the year, his offensive scheme is one of the worst in the league, and his wide receivers have missed the vast majority of the season. Despite all this, Herbert has found a way to lead the Chargers to an 8-6 record while carrying the entire organization on his shoulders. He appears to have gotten healthy, and if he can maintain this level of play, the Chargers should make some noise in the playoffs.
