NFL
By Gio Annatelli, The Game Day
The preseason is over, and teams have cut down their rosters to 53 players. That just means the NFL regular season is approaching quickly. The season kicks off Thursday, Sept. 8, with a full slate of games over the weekend.
With all of the talent across the NFL, the MVP Award race will be one to watch. As per Caesars Sportsbook, the following players make up the top 10:
- Josh Allen (+700)
- Patrick Mahomes (+800)
- Justin Herbert (+900)
- Tom Brady (+900)
- Aaron Rodgers (+1000)
- Joe Burrow (+1300)
- Russell Wilson (+1600)
- Matthew Stafford (+1600)
- Dak Prescott (+1700)
- Lamar Jackson (+2000)
It’s going to be a battle, with four of those players already having an MVP Award in their trophy case. While anyone on that list can win the award, some dark horses will surprise people.
Here are five players that are dark horses for the MVP Award.
Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles (+3000)
Jalen Hurts is the 13th favored player to win the MVP Award, and rightfully so, as he’s in line for a big season with the Eagles.
Hurts had a successful 2021 where he led Philadelphia to a 9-8 record and a playoff berth. He threw for 3,144 yards, 16 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Hurts ranked 21st in the NFL in pass attempts, but that’s due to his ability to gain yards with his legs.
Leading the Eagles in rushing, Hurts had 139 carries for 784 yards and 10 touchdowns. Overall in the NFL, Hurts ranked sixth in touchdowns, seventh in first downs gained, and fourth in yards per carry.
The offense got a significant upgrade with the addition of A.J. Brown, who will line up well alongside DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert. Philadelphia’s platoon of running backs will help, along with having one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.
Derek Carr, QB, Las Vegas Raiders (+3000)
Having come close to winning the award in 2016, Derek Carr is the 15th favored player to win MVP.
Carr has consistently improved each season in the league and had a career year in 2021. Carr threw for 4,804 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, and he completed 68.4% of his passes. Carr ranked in the top 5 in completion percentage and yards.
Leading the Raiders to 10 wins and a playoff appearance, Carr had plenty of success with his No. 1 wide receiver being Hunter Renfrow. Though Renfrow is very good, Las Vegas has a much better No. 1 receiver after trading for Davante Adams. The pair played together at Fresno State, so they already have that built-in chemistry.
Carr’s supporting cast will be at full force, with Darren Waller expected to be fully healthy for the season. In addition, he’ll get receiving help out of the backfield from Josh Jacobs and rookie Zamir White, while new signing Keelan Cole will add the needed depth.
If Carr can succeed in a loaded AFC West that features Mahomes, Herbert, and Wilson, he’ll have no problem winning the award.
Matt Ryan, QB, Indianapolis Colts (+5000)
Matt Ryan is the 17th favored player to win MVP and is the only player on this list that has won it previously.
Having won in 2016 with the Atlanta Falcons, Ryan is looking to recreate that magic with his new team. Ryan has not only seen some personal regression but also the Falcons struggled to match their performance that season. In 2021, Ryan’s last year in Atlanta, he completed 67% of his passes and threw for 3,968 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
Ryan joins a much better Colts team that gives him the proven weapons. Jonathan Taylor led the NFL in rushing last year and was a significant contributor to the receiving game. In addition, Michael Pittman Jr. took a major step forward last year with 1,082 yards and six touchdowns. Indianapolis also has an exciting rookie in Alec Pierce, who is set to shock some people.
Ryan is a serious dark horse to win the award in a much better situation with some newly found rejuvenation.
Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts (+6000)
Speaking of Ryan’s teammate, Taylor is the 20th favored player to win the MVP Award. Taylor is the second-highest position player in the MVP race behind Derrick Henry.
Taylor had a monster season in 2021, leading the NFL in rushing. Taylor had 332 carries for 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He was also valuable in the passing game, pulling in 40 balls for 360 yards and two touchdowns. Taylor also led the NFL with 2,171 scrimmage yards.
Opposing teams knew the Colts would run the ball, and they still couldn’t stop Taylor. This season will be different with Ryan under center, as they’ll look to pass more, but that should open up some gaps for Taylor.
A running back hasn’t won the award since 2012, when Adrian Peterson took it with a 2,000-yard performance. However, Taylor could be the next running back to break the quarterback trend.
Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams (+7500)
To wrap up the list, the next position player behind Henry and Taylor is Cooper Kupp, the 22nd favored player to win MVP.
Kupp had a historic season in 2021, becoming the last wide receiver triple crown since Steve Smith Sr. did so in 2005. Kupp saw 191 targets and had 145 receptions for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was the undisputed best player, winning the Offensive Player of the Year award. Kupp was also named All-Pro First Team and to the Pro Bowl, and he took home the Super Bowl MVP Award.
Even with the dominant season, he finished third in the MVP race behind Rodgers and Brady. A wide receiver has never won the award, and the position’s best chance to do so was in 2021. However, if Kupp can replicate his performance from last season, the voters will have no choice but to give him the award.
