The 2021 NFL regular season is just 5.9 percent complete, but we’re already monitoring the league’s top MVP candidates. Here’s a look at the 10 players best aligned for MVP runs based on Week 1 performances.
1. Arizona Cardinals edge Chandler Jones: Obviously Jones is unlikely to remain atop this list, as a defensive player hasn’t won MVP since 1986. But after an incredible season debut, the dude is on pace for literally 85 sacks! The Cards also pumped the Tennessee Titans on the road.
2. Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson: An MVP is eventually going to come Wilson’s way, and a four-touchdown, zero-pick start with a road win over the tough Indianapolis Colts has him leading that picture (Related: NFL starting quarterback power rankings entering Week 2).
3. Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford: The longtime Detroit Lion was electric in his debut as a Ram. He had a near-perfect passer rating as L.A. won handily.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady: The numbers would look better if not for mistakes from his supporting cast, but four touchdown passes in a victory has the 44-year-old in the conversation.
5. Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: Four passing/rushing touchdowns, no picks, and a 131.4 passer rating for the 1-0 Chiefs. That’ll do.
6. Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray: Five passing/rushing touchdowns, one pick, and a 121.0 passer rating for the 1-0 Cardinals. That’ll also do.
7. Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow: Joe Mixon’s tremendous Week 1 performance hurts Burrow’s case a touch, but the sophomore No. 1 overall pick still gets a lot of credit for posting a 128.8 passer rating in an awesome upset victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
8. Kansas City Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill: The presence of Mahomes will always make it tough for Hill to make an MVP run, but he’s on pace for a comical 3,349 receiving yards so he has to be included here.
9. Cincinnati Bengals RB Joe Mixon: Ditto for Mixon, who’s on pace for a record 2,159 rushing yards after a killer performance in a Week 1 win for the Bengals.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers edge T.J. Watt: The primo Defensive Player of the Year candidate had two sacks and a huge forced fumble to lead the Steelers over the mighty Buffalo Bills on the road Sunday.
