NFL MVP race: Lamar Jackson's stock is rising, but he's chasing rookie Jayden Daniels
Lamar Jackson delivered the MVP moment of the NFL season while leading the Baltimore Ravens’ comeback in Week 5.
Jackson stiff armed a defender into the ground, bought himself some more time to throw, and found tight end Isaiah Likely in the end zone for his fourth touchdown pass against the Cincinnati Bengals last week.
The Ravens also relied on a 51-yard run by Derrick Henry, and a game-winning field goal by Justin Tucker to complete the 41-38 overtime win over the Bengals.
But was it enough to help Jackson rise in our MVP rankings?
We’ve got a new No. 1 in our NFL MVP rankings after Week 5, which might not be surprising if you’ve been keeping up with this young quarterback’s start.
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5. Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen: Stock down
Josh Allen’s MVP case has taken a hit in back-to-back weeks, after the Bills’ second-straight loss against a big-time opponent.
Allen finished 9 of 30 passing for 131 yards and just one touchdown pass, and endured a hard blow to the side of his head after he was taken down following a tackle in the fourth quarter of Buffalo’s 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans.
Allen is 25 of 59 for 311 yards with a touchdown in his last two games – not a great clip after he was the undisputed No. 1 in our MVP rankings after Week 3.
Still, there’s plenty of season left for Allen to rise to the top again.
4. Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: Stock even
The MVP case for Patrick Mahomes can wreck your brain. His stats are closer to the middle of the pack, than the top of the league. His team is winning ugly with a solid run game and one of the best defenses in the NFL. But it’s undeniable after the Chiefs’ 5-0 start this season.
Mahomes threw for 331 yards and led two touchdown drives, and four more drives that ended in field goals for the Chiefs in a 26-13 win over the New Orleans Saints on "Monday Night Football."
Mahomes found Juju Smith-Schuster for seven catches and 130 yards, while the Chiefs relied on 102 rushing yards from Kareem Hunt. It was a masterful game plan by Chiefs coach Andy Reid, showing Kansas City still has enough despite Rashee Rice, Isiah Pacheco and Hollywood Brown being sidelined.
Still, Mahomes must up his game if the Chiefs are going to three-peat – and if he wants to rise up our MVP rankings this season.
3. Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson: Stock up
We’ll give Jackson the stock up in our MVP race because it’s hard to deny his four-touchdown performance against the Bengals. Jackson was able to will the Ravens to a standout victory in Week 5 despite five touchdowns from Joe Burrow.
But let’s also focus on one big play that simmered Jackson’s stock: A fumble in overtime that nearly cost Baltimore in Cincinnati. It’s a good thing Bengals kicker Evan McPherson missed what could have been a game-winning kick to open the door again for the Ravens.
Jackson is third with nine touchdown passes, fourth in passer rating, fifth in QBR for the 3-2 Ravens. He has put together two steady, standout performances in back-to-back weeks, and likely to contend for his third MVP this season.
2. Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold: Stock down
Sam Darnold failed to throw a touchdown for the first time all season in Minnesota’s 23-17 win over the New York Jets last week, lowering his stock in the MVP race.
Still, Darnold put together timely plays to help the Vikings offense score a touchdown (by running back C.J. Ham) along with four field goals in the victory.
The Vikings are 5-0 thanks to Darnold’s 11 touchdowns this season, which rank second in the NFL. And it’s why Darnold remains in the top 2 of our MVP rankings.
1. Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels: Stock up
Jayden Daniels, the rookie blazing it up in Washington, has taken the top spot in our MVP rankings after Week 5.
Daniels led the Commanders to six more touchdown drives, three of which ending in touchdowns by his running backs in a 34-13 win over the Cleveland Browns last week. His 14 for 25 passing dropped his league-high completion percentage under 80 percent. He threw just his second interception of the season, and had just one touchdown pass against Cleveland.
Still, Daniels has helped Washington lead the NFL with 31.0 points per game, and second-most touchdowns with 17 through the first five games of his career.
It's still early, but it’s worth noting: Daniels might have the best chance to be the second rookie to win NFL MVP after Jim Brown did in 1957.
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