Welcome in to the 2020 NFL MVP Watch, where I will be taking a look around the landscape of the MVP race in the NFL this season. This is pretty much the same thing as my Heisman Watch, sooooo…like, do I want to spend a lot of time on an intro?
Shit, I guess I will for the uninitiated – each week, I will count down the five most MVP-worthy performances of the week and offer up my reasoning for each ranking. You finish first, you get five points. Second is four, so on and so forth. I will keep the season point totals going at the bottom of the article and at the end of the season, whoever has the most points gets the 2020 SoBros Network NFL MVP “honors.”
NFL MVP WATCH: WEEK 10
5. Damien Harris, Patriots RB – In a game when the rain was pouring and the Pats had to lean on their run game, Harris delivered. What an addition he has been to that already potent Pats backfield. They went to Harris, giving him 22 carries against the Baltimore Ravens, which he turned into 121 yards (5.5 yards per carry). A gritty win by a gritty team on Sunday Night Football.
4. Ronald Jones, Bucs RB – We’ve talked a lot about Brady, but how about the season that Ronald Jones is having? He led the league in rushing this week with 192 yards and a score on the ground. But, with his 98-yard run on Sunday, he’s moved up to third in the league in rushing.
3. Tom Brady, Bucs QB – Brady and the Bucs offense really got things right against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. TB12 went 28/39 for 341 yards, three touchdowns, and a 124.0 passer rating.
2. Kyler Murray, Cardinals QB – I mean, what the hell can I say about that Hail Mary that hasn’t been said already this week? It was pure magic – but that’s been Murray’s style all season long. He’s emerged as one of the premiere play-makers at the quarterback position, and deserves to be right up there with the MVP favorites at this point.
Against the Buffalo Bills, Murray was 22/32 for 245 yards, a touchdown and a pick, with another 61 yards rushing with two more scores on the ground. Murray has also quietly moved up to 8th in the entire NFL in rushing. PROLIFIC!
1. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers QB – It’s time we start puttin’ Big Ben in the MVP conversation when you look at what he’s doing to contribute to the Steelers’ 9-0 start. In the 36-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, Roethlisberger was 27/46 for 333 yards and four touchdowns.
But, just look at what his return has meant for this team. This team was 8-8 a season ago – just look at what stabilizing the quarterback position has done for the Steelers. He may not be posting numbers like he was 10 years ago, but he’s still helping his team win ball games. That’s the definition of value.
UPDATED NFL MVP WATCH POINTS STANDINGS
19. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jared Goff, Damien Harris, Julio Jones, Baker Mayfield, DK Metcalf – 1
14. Davante Adams, Aaron Donald, Josh Jacobs, Aaron Jones, Ronald Jones – 2
12. Derek Carr, T.J. Watt – 3
11. Derrick Henry – 5
8. Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Ben Roethlisberger – 7
7. Dalvin Cook – 8
6. Tom Brady – 9
5. Aaron Rodgers – 10
4. Ryan Tannehill – 11
3. Patrick Mahomes – 12
2. Kyler Murray – 13
1. Russell Wilson – 23
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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