Welcome in to the 2021 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 2021 SoBros Network NFL MVP “honors.”
2021 NFL MVP WATCH: WEEK 9
5. Justin Herbert, Chargers QB – Herbert had a big day passing the ball on Sunday, and the Chargers needed it to win over the feisty Eagles. He led the league in passing yards this week with 356 (only because Mike White was knocked out of Thursday night’s game early). And, he was the 4th highest rated passer this week (123.2). His final stat line reads 32/38 for 356 yards, two passing touchdowns, and one rushing touchdown.
4. Jeffery Simmons, Titans DL – This Titans defense is suddenly up and running, allowing just 16.7 PPG in their last three games (all wins). Big Jeff and the defensive front is a big reason for that – being able to generate a fierce pass rush with just four guys (this team hardly blitzes). He absolutely took over against the Rams on Sunday night, registering three sacks (all in the first half), and regularly disrupting the timing of that Rams offense. He had Sean McVay looking like a deer in headlights. What was most impressive was that he didn’t even have to finesse the Rams OL to beat ’em. He was just straight up driving people back…
BULLRUSH. BULLDOG. @GrindSimmons94
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) November 8, 2021
: Watch #TENvsLAR on @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/z3MBfMUZL2
3. Lamar Jackson, Ravens QB – Not the best statistical game from a passing standpoint for Jackson (27/41 for 266 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions), but what the hell would this Ravens team be without this man (or their fullback if I can make a tongue-in-cheek jab at the Ravens’ performance against the Vikings on Sunday)? Jackson’s 120 rushing yards gave him his 10th career 100-yard rushing game in the regular season, a mark that ties Michael Vick for most all-time.
2. Jonathan Taylor, Colts RB – What a workhorse performance against the New York Jets on Thursday night. Taylor averaged a whopping 9.1 yards per carry, turning 19 totes into 172 yards and two touchdowns. He is a beast that the Colts can lean on to make their offense work.
1. Kevin Byard, Titans S – I am so happy to see Byard getting his flowers this season after the way he’s played so far. His name is starting to pop up in the ‘Defensive Player of the Year’ conversation, and I’m absolutely here for it. He’s having a career year, and that’s saying something for the former All-Pro. He’s smart, he has a nose for the football, and he is making plays for this Titans defense, including his first career Pick-6 on Sunday Night Football against the Rams.
PICK-6!!! #Titans
— NFL (@NFL) November 8, 2021
: #TENvsLAR on NBC
: https://t.co/ZIukbFRRGH pic.twitter.com/OvzgZBtmu5
He’s as good as anyone in the league at diagnosing a play in real time, and he’s dropping back and getting his hands on the ball because of it. He’s the reigning Defensive Player of the Month in the AFC, and he absolutely belongs in the ‘Defensive Player of the Year’ discussion. If you don’t believe me, then who better to break it down for you than Dan Orlovsky and Ryan Clark?
Great players do what they’re supposed to do all the time—difference makers know there are moments when they can do more! @realrclark25 and I present DPOY candidate @kevinbyard for the @titans@paulkuharskynfl pic.twitter.com/H0eNYkZbEZ
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) November 9, 2021
UPDATED NFL MVP WATCH STANDINGS
20. Davante Adams, CJ Mosley, Mike White, Russell Wilson – 1
16. Ja’Marr Chase, Najee Harris, Terry McLaurin, Jeffery Simmons – 2
14. Joe Burrow, Cooper Kupp – 3
11. Derek Carr, Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott – 4
9. Kevin Byard, Jonathan Taylor – 5
8. Aaron Rodgers – 6
6. Josh Allen, Justin Herbert – 8
5. Lamar Jackson – 10
4. Matthew Stafford – 12
3. Kyler Murray – 16
2. Tom Brady – 17
1. Derrick Henry – 18
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
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