The NFL season got underway this weekend, and it was full of upsets, thrilling finishes and great performances. The usual stars were out in full effect, but a few under-the-radar players also caught the eye during opening week. This week was also the kickoff of the race for the MVP award, which is given out annually to the best player in football. However, many have started to call it the QB award, due to recent winners. This column will look at some of the best individual performances from week one, as well as front-runners and sleeper picks for the MVP award.
Lamar Jackson
Last season’s winner of this award and two-time MVP started his campaign off on the right track. Lamar Jackson played exceptionally, despite the Ravens losing their opener to the Chiefs last Thursday night. The signal caller threw for 273 yards and a touchdown, but his ground game was the most compelling part of his performance. Jackson was vintage, running 16 times for 122 yards against a stout Chiefs defense. He also nearly had the first MVP moment of the season by leading the Ravens down to tie the game, but he fell just inches short.
Cooper Kupp
The emergence of rookie Puka Nacua last season led to a significant decrease in Cooper Kupp’s numbers. Many thought this year would be more similar, but that was not the case on Sunday night. Kupp was back to his usual, self-tying his career-high of 14 receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately for the Rams, Kupp’s production was impacted by an injury to Nacua. The Rams announced on Monday that Nacua will miss a minimum of four games. Look out for Kupp to reemerge as Matthew Stafford’s number one target.
Josh Allen
Josh Allen has had an exceptional career that has earned him many honors and awards, but one that has always eluded him is the MVP. Allen started his 2024 campaign in a strange way. Late in the first half, Allen had only thrown the ball twice and fumbled once. However, Allen led the Bills from down 17-3 to a 34-28 victory. Allen threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 39 yards and two touchdowns. The biggest issue for Allen this season is who he will throw to after the departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis.
C.J. Stroud
After a stellar rookie season, the Texans’ second-year player came into the season with lofty expectations. C.J. Stroud won rookie of the year last season and won a playoff game for the Texans, who were supposed to be among the league’s worst. The acquisition of Stephon Diggs makes Stroud a frontrunner for MVP. Stroud threw for 234 yards and two touchdowns with a passer rating of 115.8. He also completed 24 out of 32 of his passes in Houston’s victory over the Colts. With the addition of Diggs joining an already loaded receiver room, Stroud may be the frontrunner to win MVP.
Patrick Mahomes
The three-time Super Bowl champion and two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes is looking to three- peat with the Chiefs this season. He started the season calmly throwing for 291 yards with a touchdown and interception apiece. Mahomes was going against the top-ranked defense from a season ago, so look for his numbers to steadily improve game by game. His touchdown was to first-round rookie Xavier Worthy, who will have a vital role in their offense. Mahomes struggled last season due to a lack of weapons, but with the additions of Worthy and established vet Hollywood Brown, his game will certainly improve.
Sleeper MVP Picks
- Dak Prescott
- Breece Hall
- Jalen Hurts
- Jared Goff
- Tyreek Hill