The 2021 NFL regular season is just 12.5 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 the first two weeks of the campaign.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady: The 44-year-old already has 14 deep completions and nine touchdown throws, both of which are league highs for the 2-0 Bucs.
2. Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford: The longtime Detroit Lion looks rejuvenated with a 127.0 passer rating for the 2-0 Rams. Awesomely, he meets Brady and the Bucs this week.
3. Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson: The league’s highest-rated passer has yet to turn the ball over for a team averaging 29.0 points per game.
4. Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray: He and Derek Carr are tied for the league lead with nine big-time throws at Pro Football Focus, and the high-scoring Cardinals are 2-0.
5. Las Vegas Raiders QB Derek Carr: He and Kyler Murray are tied for the league lead with nine big-time throws at PFF, and the surprising Raiders are 2-0.
6. Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson: The league’s third-leading rusher took down Patrick Mahomes and the juggernaut Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
7. Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: The AFC’s highest-rated passer is in the mix with killer numbers, but Jackson got the best of him in Week 2.
8. Denver Broncos QB Teddy Bridgewater: The Broncos are 2-0 and Bridgewater has a 120.7 passer rating with zero interceptions.
9. Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry: The reigning Offensive Player of the Year took over late in a huge road victory over the Seahawks in Week 2. He leads the league with 240 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
10. Arizona Cardinals edge Chandler Jones: The Cards are killing it and Jones is on pace for 43 sacks and 34 forced fumbles. That isn’t remotely sustainable, but it gets him on this list.