Week 13 MVP Ladder: Is it a Three-Man Race?

The podcast discusses the current NFL MVP rankings, with a particular focus on the top five players. Two commentators debate the merits of various players, including quarterbacks Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, running backs Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry, and offensive lineman Penei Sewell. The conversation emphasizes the unique contributions of each player and highlights the ongoing debate regarding the criteria for MVP.

MVP Ladder Rankings

• 00:00:34 Joe Burrow is ranked fifth due to his strong individual performance, but the Bengals' poor record hinders his MVP candidacy. Justin Jefferson is also considered in this spot because of his consistent receiving yards, yet his team's reliance on him can be viewed as a negative factor in his MVP potential.

Running Back MVP Candidates

• 00:03:01 Derrick Henry is ranked fourth due to his exceptional rushing performance for the Ravens, his balanced offensive contribution, and his ability to excel despite his age and workload. His candidacy is somewhat diminished due to Lamar Jackson's presence on the team, potentially negating each other's MVP candidacy.

Offensive Lineman Consideration

• 00:04:22 Penei Sewell is ranked fourth by one of the podcasters, highlighting the argument for recognizing offensive line contributions to team success. The discussion touches upon the rarity of this award and the potential for a shift in voter perception.

Quarterback Candidates

• 00:05:45 Lamar Jackson is ranked third, recognized for his strong passing and rushing statistics and his improvement from the previous year. His potential for winning the MVP is still present, but his team's inconsistency and the presence of another strong candidate, Derrick Henry, might be obstacles.

Top Two MVP Candidates

• 00:07:36 Saquon Barkley and Josh Allen are the top two candidates in the MVP race, with a close debate on their comparative merits. Barkley is argued to be having a historically great running back season, significantly elevating the Eagles' offense, making him a strong MVP candidate. Allen is praised for his game-changing abilities, consistent performance, and the Bills' success, but he might be slightly behind Barkley in terms of defining the NFL season.