After the first six weeks of the NFL season, we are starting to get a sense of who may be the front-runners for the NFL MVP Award. There are 5 early candidates for NFL MVP, along with many honorable mentions. We’ll get those after the top five.
5. Wes Welker WR, Denver Broncos – Maybe it wasn’t the Patriots system? Maybe it wasn’t Tom Brady? Maybe Wes Welker is just that good? While Welker is only averaging 10.2 yards per catch, he fits right in to what Peyton Manning needs. A WR who can become the hot route when blitzed, and knows where the first down marker is. Since joining the Broncos this season, Welker has caught at least one TD pass in each game this season, which has put him atop the league in touchdown receptions with eight.
4. Jimmy Graham TE, New Orleans Saints – We knew Jimmy Graham was good. He caught 99 balls for 1,300 yds two years ago. But this good? Before hurting his foot last week in New England, through the first five games Graham had 37 catches for 593 yards and 6 touchdowns. He’s STILL leading the league in receiving yards after recording no stats last week. Hopefully his foot injury won’t sideline him for too long, because Graham could easily put up the best numbers we have ever seen from the TE position.
3. LeSean McCoy RB, Philadelphia Eagles – Chip Kelly has introduced his Oregon offense to the NFL and no one has benefited more from this high-octane offense than Shady McCoy. If there was ever a running back that was built for this track meet style offense, McCoy is it. The duel threat running back has gashed tired defenses for 630 yards on the ground and another 241 yards through the air. McCoy is on pace for over 2,300 yards from scrimmage this season. With a few more big games, he could challenge Chris Johnson’s record-setting 2009 season, where he amassed 2,509 yards from scrimmage.
2. Philip Rivers QB, San Diego Chargers – After 35 interceptions over the past two seasons, and the lowest passing yards of his career since 2007, Philip Rivers has taken 2013 by the horns. With a career high 72.6 completion percentage and a 14 to 5 TD/INT ratio, Rivers looks like a changed man. What has made his season even more incredible is that he lost his #1 and #2 WR’s to season ending injuries before the season even started.
1. Peyton Manning QB, Denver Broncos – Manning has set the record books on fire this season. In the opening game of the season, Manning threw an NFL record tying 7 TD passes against the Ravens, then he starts off by throwing 20 TD passes without an interception. This guy is just insane. The way he orchestrates the offense is second to none. The Broncos have scored an NFL record 265 points through the first six games of the season in large part to Manning. Oh by the way, he’s on pace for 58 TD’s and 5,810 yards. Eat your heart out Drew Brees and Tom Brady.
Honorable Mentions
Buffalo Bills rookie LB Kiko Alonzo has been fantastic so far this season. He’s leading the NFL in tackles with 66 and tied for the lead in interceptions with 4.
If we could give an MVP award to an entire unit, we might be able to give it to the Kansas City Chiefs defense. In this day in age, to allow only 10.8 points per game on defense is just incredible. Last week they recorded 10 sacks, 3 interceptions, and one of those was taken back for a touchdown.
Does anyone else come to mind? Love it or hate it, leave it in the box below.
