Four weeks of NFL action are officially in the books, which means that it’s time to officially start looking at the MVP candidates across the league. While there is still a lot of football to be played, a few frontrunners have emerged in the race for the league’s most coveted individual award.
Before we begin, two quick disclaimers. This list of NFL MVP candidates is not based on any posted odds. Additionally, the “V” in MVP stands for “valuable”, and no position is more valuable than the quarterback. So, guys like Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill, and Christian McCaffrey will not be on this list, although all three would be in the running for Offensive Player of the Year.
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The 5 Leading NFL MVP Candidates After Week 4, Ranked
1. Josh Allen
After a dismal performance in Week 1, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has played like a man possessed over the past three weeks. Blessed with an absurd skill set, Allen at his best is arguably the single most dangerous player in the NFL. He put those skills on display in Week 4, accounting for five total touchdowns in Buffalo’s 48-20 assault on the Miami Dolphins. If he stays healthy, this award is Allen’s to lose.
#Bills Diggs 55-yard touchdown pass from Josh Allenpic.twitter.com/CTsbrczFWl
— BSGsports (@BSGsportsmedia) October 1, 2023
2. Tua Tagovailoa
After four weeks of play, Tua Tagovailoa is at or near the top of just about every statistical metric out there. The Dolphins quarterback is in charge of one of the most dangerous attacks in the league, and that’s not likely to change any time soon. Obviously, Tagovailoa’s numbers are inflated to an extent, as Mike McDaniel is probably the best young offensive mind in the game, and the wide receiver duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle is unmatched. However, as the back half of the 2022 season showed, the Dolphins simply aren’t the same when Tagovailoa isn’t the one lining up under center.
3. Justin Herbert*
Justin Herbert’s spot on this list of NFL MVP candidates is obviously dependent on the extent of his hand injury. The superstar quarterback suffered some type of ailment during the team’s 24-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders and, as of this posting, we do not know the severity of the injury. However, as long as he’s able to play and perform to the best of his ability, he will be in the running for MVP. The Chargers enter Week 5 with a 2-2 record, and that wouldn’t be possible without Herbert singlehandedly dragging this team to success. The defense is one of the worst in the league, Brandon Staley is deservedly on the hot seat, and nobody on offense can stay healthy. If it weren’t for Herbert, this team would be in the running for the first-overall pick.
Justin Herbert should be taking a portion of Brandon Staley’s salary. Bailing him out again. What a beautiful ball.
pic.twitter.com/e8SvUjVhZ5— Logan Brown (@LoganABrown) October 1, 2023
4. Lamar Jackson
After four weeks of action, Todd Monken’s pass-centric offense has Lamar Jackson looking like one of the top NFL MVP candidates in the league. While Zay Flowers has hit the ground hitting, Jackson is once again doing most of the work all on his own. Odell Beckham is already injured, and Rashod Bateman has yet to prove himself at the NFL level. Despite all this, the Ravens offense continues to run, and that’s all because of Jackson.
5. Patrick Mahomes
The reigning NFL MVP remains one of the top candidates for the award, even though he isn’t playing nearly as well as he was last year. The lack of pass-catching talent on offense seems to be catching up with Mahomes, as he has struggled at times and was even outplayed by Zach Wilson on Sunday Night Football. Still, this team is 3-1 and Mahomes is still playing with his usual magic, even is those amazing plays aren’t as frequent as they used to be.
Honorable mentions: Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield (no, seriously)
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Main Photo: Jamie Germano – USA Today Sports
