Tag: MVP

Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald and running back Kenneth Walker III (9) celebrate with the Vince Lombardi trophy after defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Seattle’s Kenneth Walker III runs to Super Bowl glory, MVP honors

Posted on | by Field Level Media

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — When the Seattle Seahawks won their first Super Bowl title 12 years ago, a 43-8 thrashing of the Peyton Manning-led Denver Broncos, the Most Valuable Player award could have landed in a number of different players’ hands. Little-known linebacker Malcolm Smith was the winner, his pick-6 and fumble recovery standing out in Seattle’s complete defensive effort that night.

When the Seahawks’ lead stood at 12-0 entering the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LX on Sunday, the MVP discussion may have been down to another defensive selection, or perhaps Seattle kicker Jason Myers. But one offensive player was the consistent throughline from the Seahawks’ first quarter through the fourth, the steady engine of an offense that eventually found another gear.

Running back Kenneth Walker III finished the game with 135 rushing yards on 27 attempts and took home Super Bowl LX MVP honors after his team’s 29-13 triumph over the New England Patriots. He is the first running back to win the award since Denver’s Terrell Davis at Super Bowl XXXII in January 1998.

The soft-spoken 25-year-old let his legs do the talking until it was time to accept the award on stage at Levi’s Stadium.

“First and foremost, I want to thank God for this blessing to be here,” Walker said. “Also I want to talk to my brothers. This don’t happen without them. We went through a lot of adversity this season but we came together and we stuck together, and this is what we got.”

As NBC presenter Maria Taylor was about to move on to quarterback Sam Darnold, Walker cut back in.

“Hey, shoutout to the 12s!” he added, referring to Seattle’s fan base.

A native of Tennessee, Walker played two seasons at Wake Forest before transferring to Michigan State in 2021 and lighting up the college football world with 1,636 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. Despite winning the Doak Walker Award for the nation’s top running back, he finished a mere sixth in Heisman Trophy voting and went to Seattle early in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Because he dropped out of the first round that year, his rookie contract was four years without a fifth-year option. Walker enters the offseason as a free agent and was mostly mum on his future during Super Bowl week.

Walker’s workload increased when backfield mate Zach Charbonnet went down with a torn ACL in the divisional round against San Francisco. After finishing the regular season with 1,027 yards and five touchdowns rushing, Walker ran for 116 yards and three scores against the 49ers and another 62 yards and a touchdown against the Rams in the NFC Championship Game.

He didn’t add to the TD total Sunday, but time and again he brought the Seahawks into scoring position. Walker took the first play of the game 10 yards around left end. His 30-yard run propelled Seattle to its second of five field goals, and he added two catches for 26 yards, including a 20-yarder.

Walker is only the third player in Super Bowl history with two carries of 25-plus yards in a game, according to ESPN Stats and Information. He joined Washington’s Timmy Smith in Super Bowl XXII (three) and the Raiders’ Marcus Allen in Super Bowl XVIII (two).

He nearly had a third run of more than 25 yards late in the fourth quarter, when he broke free up the middle for what would have been a 49-yard touchdown. But center Jalen Sundell was called for holding and the play was nullified.

–Field Level Media

Jan 25, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) walks on field before the 2026 NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Rams QB Matthew Stafford named NFL MVP, says he’ll play in ’26

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams was named NFL Most Valuable Player on Thursday night at the NFL Honors event in San Francisco.

It marks the first time the quarterback has won the award in his 17 NFL seasons, the first 12 spent with the Detroit Lions and the last five with the Rams.

He narrowly edged New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye for the award, finishing with five more points than the Patriots quarterback.

Stafford, who turns 38 on Saturday, also revealed he will return for an 18th season. He hadn’t previously committed to return in 2026.

Stafford led the NFL with 4,707 yards and 46 touchdown passes despite playing through back issues. He didn’t miss a game and was intercepted eight times in 597 attempts.

Stafford (366 points) received 24 of the 50 first-place votes while Maye (361) got 23.

–Field Level Media

49ers’ Christian McCaffrey, 4 QBs finalists for MVP award

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Josh Allen, fellow quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence, Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford, and San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey are the finalists for The Associated Press 2025 MVP award.

They were announced Thursday, as were the finalists for seven other season-ending AP awards that will be handed out Feb. 5 in San Francisco at the annual NFL Honors ceremony. That night, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 also will be presented, and the new Protector of the Year Award to honor the league’s best offensive lineman in 2025 will be given out.

McCaffrey also is a finalist for Offensive Player of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year, making him the first player in the running in three categories in the same season. Maye and Lawrence each are finalists for two awards.

All five MVP candidates led their teams to the postseason, with Maye and his New England Patriots and Stafford and his Los Angeles Rams to play in conference championship games on Sunday.

In the Coach of the Year category, the list includes three coaches in their debut season with their teams — two of them first-year head coaches.

The finalists:

Most Valuable Player
Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots
Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams

Coach of the Year
Liam Coen, Jacksonville Jaguars
Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears
Mike Macdonald, Seattle Seahawks
Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers
Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots

Assistant Coach of the Year
Vic Fangio, Philadelphia Eagles
Brian Flores, Minnesota Vikings
Vance Joseph, Denver Broncos
Klint Kubiak, Seattle Seahawks
Josh McDaniels, New England Patriots

Comeback Player of the Year
Stefon Diggs, WR, New England Patriots
Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Detroit Lions
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys

Defensive Player of the Year
Will Anderson Jr., DE, Houston Texans
Nik Bonitto, LB, Denver Broncos
Myles Garrett, DE, Cleveland Browns
Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Detroit Lions
Micah Parsons, DL, Green Bay Packers

Offensive Player of the Year
Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots
Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks

Defensive Rookie of the Year
Abdul Carter, LB, New York Giants
Nick Emmanwori, S, Seattle Seahawks
James Pearce Jr., DE, Atlanta Falcons
Carson Schwesinger, LB, Cleveland Browns
Xavier Watts, S, Atlanta Falcons

Offensive Rookie of the Year
Jaxson Dart, QB, New York Giants
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TreVeyon Henderson, RB, New England Patriots
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers
Tyler Shough, QB, New Orleans Saints

–Field Level Media

Matthew Stafford may have thrown MVP away in 3-pick loss

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Matthew Stafford’s march toward his first NFL Most Valuable Player award went from one of the league’s feel-good stories of 2025 to a significant longshot over four shocking quarters in Atlanta on Monday night.

With only two regular-season games remaining — both against teams out of playoff contention with coaches on the hot seat — Stafford entered Week 17 as the consensus MVP favorite ahead of New England counterpart Drake Maye. That included at BetMGM, where Stafford was the -210 favorite ahead of Maye at +165.

The Falcons’ defense entered Monday night with only 12 interceptions through the team’s 6-9 start. But Atlanta picked Stafford off three times en route to a stunning 27-24 upset on national television.

Compounding matters was the prime-time meltdown came a day after Maye completed 90.5% of his passes while throwing five touchdowns in a clinical destruction of the New York Jets. Despite being pulled in the third quarter, Maye became the fourth Patriots quarterback to pass for at least five touchdowns in a game, joining Tom Brady, Steve Grogan and Babe Parilli.

Combined with Buffalo’s loss to Philadelphia, New England clinched the AFC East title.

The series of events flipped Maye to the prohibitive -700 favorite at BetMGM, while Stafford’s odds sunk to +425.

DraftKings still has the race somewhat closer with Maye the -330 favorite ahead of Stafford at +250.

Stafford’s first three-pick game of the season came at a very inopportune time for both his MVP chances and for the Rams. Sitting in prime position to claim the No. 1 seed in the NFC just two weeks ago, Los Angeles is now locked into a wild-card spot following consecutive losses.

That Maye is at the helm of a division champion while Stafford’s Rams have limped to the finish line might prove to be the differentiating factor in a close statistical comparison.

Stafford has thrown for 4,448 yards and 42 touchdowns against eight interceptions while completing 65.2% of his passes.

Maye has thrown for 4,203 yards and 30 touchdowns against eight interceptions while completing 71.7% of his passes.

Stafford’s MVP chances could be further hindered depending on what approach coach Sean McVay decides to take in Week 18. The Rams can do no better than the No. 5 seed. If San Francisco beats Seattle on Saturday night, Los Angeles will be locked into the No. 6 seed and will have little to play for on Sunday against the 3-13 Arizona Cardinals.

Meanwhile, the Patriots still have a shot at the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage through the AFC playoffs on the line at home against Miami. New England enters Week 18 with identical 13-3 records with Denver. The Broncos play host to the Los Angeles Chargers, who plan to rest starting quarterback Justin Herbert in favor of backup Trey Lance.

For his part, Stafford said he plans to play against the Cardinals.

“I love playing the game,” he said. “So, yeah, I’ll be ready to go.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 29, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) speaks with Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) and quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) after the game during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Saquon Barkley lead MVP finalists

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen got the better of Baltimore Ravens counterpart Lamar Jackson last Sunday when their respective teams battled in the AFC divisional round in Orchard Park, N.Y.

Named finalists for the Associated Press 2024 NFL Most Valuable Player award, Allen will hope to get the better of Jackson, fellow signal-callers Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) and Jared Goff (Detroit Lions) and running back Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles) when the award is presented at the NFL Honors show on Feb. 6.

A nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the NFL completed voting before the beginning of the playoffs.

Allen, 28, threw for 3,731 yards and 28 touchdowns this season and rushed for 531 yards and 12 scores.

Jackson, 28, is vying for his third MVP award (2019, 2023). He threw for 4,172 yards and 41 touchdowns this season and rushed for 915 yards and four scores.

Burrow, 28, threw for NFL-best totals in passing yards (4,918) and touchdowns (43).

Goff, 30, threw for 4,629 yards and 37 touchdowns this season.

Barkley, 27, rushed for a league-best 2,005 yards to go along with 13 touchdowns.

Barkley, Burrow and Jackson also joined Ravens running back Derrick Henry and Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase as finalists for the Offensive Player of the Year award.

Burrow also is a finalist for Comeback Player of the Year, joining Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez, Bills safety Damar Hamlin and Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins.

Finalists for all eight postseason awards are:

Most Valuable Player
–Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills quarterback
–Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles running back
–Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
–Jared Goff, Detroit Lions quarterback
–Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens quarterback

Offensive Player of the Year
–Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles running back
–Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback
–Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
–Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens running back
–Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens quarterback

Offensive Rookie of the Year
–Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders tight end
–Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders quarterback
–Malik Nabers, New York Giants wide receiver
–Bo Nix, Denver Broncos quarterback
–Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver

Defensive Player of the Year
–Zack Baun, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker
–Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns defensive end
–Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals defensive end
–Pat Surtain II, Denver Broncos cornerback
–T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker

Defensive Rookie of the Year
–Cooper DeJean, Philadelphia Eagles cornerback
–Braden Fiske, Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman
–Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia Eagles cornerback
–Chop Robinson, Miami Dolphins linebacker
–Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams linebacker

Comeback Player of the Year
–Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback
–Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings quarterback
–J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers running back
–Christian Gonzalez, New England Patriots cornerback
–Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills safety

Coach of the Year
–Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions
–Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings
–Sean Payton, Denver Broncos
–Dan Quinn, Washington Commanders
–Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs.

Assistant Coach of the Year
–Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator
–Vic Fangio, Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator
–Brian Flores, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator
–Aaron Glenn, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator
–Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator

–Field Level Media

Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball ahead of Los Angeles Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom (56) during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Saquon Barkley’s MVP push has sportsbooks’ attention

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has grabbed the attention of sportsbooks as he makes a run at becoming the first non-quarterback to win the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award since Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson a dozen years ago.

Barkley opened as a +30000 longshot at BetMGM to win MVP honors in his first season with Philadelphia. He had slashed those in half by Week 11 and to +5000 by last week.

Still a +5000 longshot Sunday morning, Barkley then exploded for 255 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns while adding four catches for another 47 yards in a 37-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams that night. By Sunday night he had trimmed those odds to +650, as he leads the NFL with 1,392 rushing yards to go along with 12 total touchdowns.

By Tuesday, Barkley had the third-shortest odds at +400, and is now BetMGM’s biggest liability in the MVP market. Only Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen (+150) and Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson (+250) have shorter MVP odds.

Barkley is also the -400 favorite to win Offensive Player of the Year honors, down from +2500 when the market opened. That’s well ahead of Ravens running back Derrick Henry, who is a distant second at +275 despite having only 67 fewer rushing yards.

“Nobody can stop Saquon right now and the bettors know it,” BetMGM trading manager Christian Cipollini said.

Barkley’s MVP odds have seen a similar trend at DraftKings, where he is now the third favorite at +475 after being +4000 before his performance against the Rams.

Allen is the +150 favorite at the book followed by Jackson, Barkley and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (+700). No one else has shorter odds than Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes at +1300.

Meanwhile, the book reported that a pair of quarterbacks saw their MVP chances take enormous hits following upset losses in Week 12. Washington rookie Jayden Daniels went from +2500 to +6000 after the Commanders lost to Dallas, while Houston’s C.J. Stroud plummeted from +2800 to +9000 following the Texans’ shocking loss to Tennessee.

Going in the other direction was Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is still a +3500 longshot but saw his odds improve from +5000 following the Buccaneers’ blowout victory over the New York Giants.

–Field Level Media

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) celebrates after throwing the winning touchdown to wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (12) during overtime against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes wins third Super Bowl MVP award

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Leading Kansas City to a thrilling 25-22 overtime win against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes won his second straight Super Bowl MVP award and third overall on Sunday night in Las Vegas.

Guiding the Chiefs to back-to-back titles and their third in the past five seasons, the 28-year-old Mahomes joins Joe Montana as three-time winners, trailing only Tom Brady, who won the award five times.

With the Chiefs trailing 22-19 in overtime, Mahomes engineered a 13-play, 75-yard drive and tossed the game-winning 3-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman with three seconds left. Mahomes finished 34-of-46 passing for 333 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He also led Kansas City in rushing with 66 yards on nine carries.

En route to the Super Bowl, Mahomes led the Chiefs to road wins over the Buffalo Bills and the Baltimore Ravens, his first playoff games away from Arrowhead Stadium.

In addition to earning three Super Bowl titles and three Super Bowl MVP awards, Mahomes has been the NFL MVP twice and the Offensive Player of the Year once. He is also a six-time Pro Bowl selection in his six seasons as a starter.

–Field Level Media

Jan 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) passes the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

NFL Honors: Lamar Jackson wins second MVP

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson can add “two-time NFL Most Valuable Player” to his long list of accomplishments.

Jackson, 27, took home his second MVP award on Thursday night during the NFL Honors awards ceremony in Las Vegas. He was the overwhelming winner, receiving 49 of 50 first-place votes, with the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen getting the only dissenting vote.

“My offense, my offensive line, I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done,” Jackson said. “I’m not out there blocking, catching the ball, doing everything. It’s my team. It’s a team thing for these awards.”

Jackson led the Ravens to a 13-3 record during his 16 regular-season starts. He passed for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns, and he rushed for 821 yards and five scores.

He became the ninth player in the Super Bowl era to capture multiple MVPS, joining Peyton Manning (five), Aaron Rodgers (four), Tom Brady (three), Brett Favre (three), Patrick Mahomes (two), Joe Montana (two), Steve Young (two) and Kurt Warner (two).

Here is a look at the rest of Thursday’s award winners:

–Coach of the year: Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns

Stefanski guided the Browns to an 11-6 record despite injuries to key playmakers such as quarterback Deshaun Watson and running back Nick Chubb. It was the second coach of the year award for Stefanski, who won a tight vote over the Houston Texans’ DeMeco Ryans.

–Offensive player of the year: Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

McCaffrey led the NFL in rushing yards (1,459) and yards from scrimmage (2,023) and tied for first in touchdowns (21) during his first full season in San Francisco. He was the overwhelming winner, drawing 39 votes for first place compared with seven votes for the runner-up, Miami Dolphins wideout Tyreek Hill.

–Defensive player of the year: Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns

Garrett, 28, racked up 14 sacks, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery as the leader of the Browns’ defense. He also tallied 17 tackles for loss. Garrett narrowly edged T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers to claim his first defensive player of the year award.

–Offensive rookie of the year: C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans

Stroud earned the honor over Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, Los Angeles Rams wideout Puka Nacua and Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. The Texans quarterback passed for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions this season.

–Defensive rookie of the year: Will Anderson, Houston Texans

Anderson edged Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter to take home the award. The Texans were the second team in as many years to have the league’s offensive and defensive rookies of the year. Last year, the New York Jets had wide receiver Garrett Wilson win on offense and cornerback Sauce Gardner win on defense.

–Comeback player of the year: Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns

Flacco, who turned 39 in January, was sitting at home when the Browns had an emergency need at quarterback. The savvy veteran returned to the league to guide the Browns to four wins in his five starts. He finished with 1,616 passing yards and 13 touchdowns to lead Cleveland to the playoffs.

–Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year: Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers

Heyward was recognized for his charitable efforts and community service across 13 NFL seasons. His foundation, The Heyward House, promotes child literacy and helps children who are living with cancer or living in hunger. The foundation also supports teachers and students.

–Field Level Media

Jan 29, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) hands off to running back Christian McCaffrey (23) against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Christian McCaffrey, 4 QBs named finalists for MVP award

Posted on | by Field Level Media

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey and four postseason quarterbacks were named the finalists for the NFL Most Valuable Player award, announced Thursday.

The Associated Press awards in eight categories, including MVP, will be handed out Feb. 8 at the 13th annual NFL Honors ceremony.

Joining McCaffrey as a finalist are his teammate, Brock Purdy, and Purdy’s fellow quarterbacks — Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills), Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens) and Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys).

Jackson earned MVP honors in 2019. Last year’s winner, Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, was not among the finalists.

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who triumphantly returned to play this season after going into cardiac arrest on the field during a game in Cincinnati in January 2023, led the finalists in the Comeback Player of the Year category.

The final group also included Joe Flacco, who went from out-of-work quarterback to leading the Cleveland Browns into the playoffs.

Finalists for all eight postseason awards are:

Most Valuable Player
–Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills quarterback
–Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens quarterback
–Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers running back
–Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys quarterback
–Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers quarterback

Defensive Player of the Year
–DaRon Bland, Dallas Cowboys cornerback
–Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end
–Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns defensive end
–Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys linebacker
–T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker

Offensive Player of the Year
–Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins wide receiver
–Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens quarterback
–CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
–Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers running back
–Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys quarterback

Offensive Rookie of the Year
–Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions running back
–Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions tight end
–Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
–Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons running back
–C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans quarterback

Defensive Rookie of the Year
–Will Anderson, Houston Texans defensive end
–Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle
–Joey Porter Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback
–Kobie Turner, Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle
–Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks cornerback

Comeback Player of the Year
–Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns quarterback
–Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills safety
–Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback
–Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams quarterback
–Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins quarterback

Coach of the Year
–Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions
–John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens
–DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans
–Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers
–Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns

Assistant Coach of the Year
–Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator
–Mike Macdonald, Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator
–Todd Monken, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator
–Jim Schwartz, Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator
–Bobby Slowik, Houston Texans offensive coordinator

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) warms up prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Lamar Jackson puts vice-grip on second MVP award

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh hasn’t decided if Lamar Jackson will play in Week 18, but it likely doesn’t matter when it comes to the NFL Most Valuable Player award.

Jackson all but locked up his second MVP in five years with his five-touchdown performance in Sunday’s 56-19 dismantling of the visiting Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Jackson, who assumed the lead in the MVP race following last week’s win at San Francisco, is now the -10000 favorite at BetMGM and -20000 favorite at DraftKings.

His closest competitors are Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott, who is +1800 at both books, and 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who is being offered at +2500 by BetMGM and +3000 by DraftKings.

Jackson’s main wart on his MVP resume had been modest passing stats, which included 19 touchdown passes through the first 15 games. He squashed that by throwing five against the Dolphins. That brings his total to 24, which would match the lowest total for an MVP-winning quarterback set by Tennessee’s Steve McNair.

Whether Jackson will have an opportunity to build on that total in the regular-season finale remains to be seen. The Ravens have clinched the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.

For his part, Jackson wants to play. Baltimore has a bye week ahead of its first playoff game, and Jackson recalled last week that the Ravens were upset in their playoff opener in his first MVP season in 2019.

“I’ve given a lot of thought to it, and it was all hypothetical until just now,” Harbaugh said about Jackson’s status for Week 18 following the Dolphins’ game. “I’m sure I’ll talk to Lamar, and I’m sure he’s going to want to play. But, we’re going to have to talk about that and decide what we want to do. You can only take six players out of the equation. There’s going to be injuries anyway, so it’s not like the preseason. You’re playing your team except for whoever you end up taking out.

“We’re going to have to have the conversation. We have not made any decision there yet.”

In addition to 24 touchdown passes and 3,678 passing yards, Jackson has rushed for 821 yards and another five scores through 16 games.

Ironically, it was the Steelers that Jackson sat out against in the 2019 regular-season finale, only for the Ravens to struggle offensively in an AFC Divisional Round upset to Tennessee.

“We remember 2019. It’s not something we’re going to forget,” Harbaugh said. “You’re not going to take it for granted. Not that we ever would, but it’s one more thing that makes you who you are at this point in time. We haven’t forgotten that.”

–Field Level Media