Thursday is MVP! Led by Lamar Jackson at the top of his game, the Ravens are coming back to life after a difficult start to the season. At the same time, the fairy tale Sam Darnold continues for another week, he who remains undefeated in the Vikings jersey. Beaten by a Kirk Cousins record, Baker Mayfield remains on the provisional podium while Josh Allen falls dangerously, seeming incapable of maintaining the good pace at the start of the season.
Star of the week: Lamar Jackson (QB), Ravens
Lamar Jackson strikes again. By orchestrating a spectacular comeback to give the Ravens a precious victory against the Bengals, the Baltimore quarterback proved once again that he deserves his place in the race for the MVP title. With 348 passing yards, four touchdowns and fearsome accuracy, Jackson reminded us why he is one of the biggest offensive threats in the league.
This match, far from perfect, highlights Jackson's leadership and raw talent. If his fumble in overtime could have been costly, the fact remains that it was thanks to him that the Ravens were able to come back and win. His ability to stay calm under pressure, distribute the ball to his receivers and make quick decisions is worthy of the greatest.
LaMarvelous ✨@Ravens | @LJ_era8 pic.twitter.com/BpnnbsUKVl
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) October 7, 2024
Jackson is still his own harshest critic, admitting after the game that the victory didn't leave him feeling completely satisfied because of the mistake. But beyond this mishap, it is its overall performance that must be remembered. The Ravens player shows, week after week, that he is the heart of this team and that he has everything it takes to win a new MVP title. His ability to raise the level of his team in decisive moments and his direct impact on the offensive game places him at the top of the conversation for this coveted trophy.
The revelation of the week: Kirk Cousins (QB), Falcons
Kirk Cousins wrote his name in NFL history with a brilliant performance during the Atlanta Falcons' victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (36-30). With 509 passing yards and four touchdowns, he not only led his team to crucial success, but also broke a unique record: he is now the first quarterback to exceed 450 passing yards with three different franchises.
At 36 years old, Cousins is proving that he is far from in decline. After an Achilles injury, many doubted his ability to return to his level, but the Falcons took a gamble in signing him, and this game fully justified that decision. His surgical precision and ability to make quick decisions in crucial situations carried Atlanta's offense, cementing his place among the best quarterbacks of the season.
In addition to his past performances with Washington (458 yards in 2016) and the Vikings (460 yards in 2022), this latest feat shows that Cousins is capable of dominating whatever system he plays in. This consistency of excellence places him not only as a serious candidate for individual distinctions this season, but also in the debate of the most influential quarterbacks of his generation.
Disappointment of the week: Josh Allen (QB), Bills
Josh Allen seemed to be a serious contender for the MVP title after a thunderous start to the season, but his last two performances could well cause his candidacy to waver. During the Bills' defeat against the Houston Texans (23-20), Allen once again showed worrying signs. Unable to find his rhythm, he finished with a meager 9 completions on 30 attempts for 131 yards and just one touchdown.
This poor performance is part of a negative dynamic for the quarterback, who has a second consecutive mixed match after a 3-0 start to the season. For two weeks, Allen has no longer been as precise and decisive, which raises doubts about his ability to maintain the level of excellence expected of an MVP. Already the previous week, he had not been able to find the key against a defense that was nevertheless manageable, and his difficulties were further accentuated against Houston, with an alarming completion rate and a passing game which sorely lacked consistency.
At the same time, his direct competitors for the MVP title continue to perform at a high level, which widens the gap between Allen and the top of the rankings. If he doesn't turn things around quickly, the Bills could not only see their playoff ambitions crumble, but Allen could also see his MVP dream slip away for good.
The ranking
1- Sam Darnold (-1) Quarterback – Minnesota Vikings (5-0)
5 games – 1111 yards at 63.5% completions – 11 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 103.4 rating
2- Lamar Jackson (+4) Quarterback – Baltimore Ravens (3-2)
5 games – 1206 yards at 65.3% completions – 9 touchdowns, 1 interception, 107.3 rating
3- Baker Mayfield (-) Quarterback – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3)
5 games – 1164 yards at 71.9% completions – 11 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 112.2 rating
4- Saquon Barkley (-) Running Back – Philadelphia Eagles (2-2)
4 games – 435 yards at 6 yards per carry, 4 touchdowns – 12 receptions, 85 yards, 1 touchdown
5- Josh Allen (-3) Quarterback – Buffalo Bills (3-2)
5 games – 945 yards at 60.3% completions – 8 touchdowns, 102.8 rating
