Thursday is MVP! This hasn’t happened often in the MVP race, but it did this week. Two non-quarterback players make up the podium in this second week of competition. Still ultra dominant against the Rams, Christian McCaffrey continues to have fun in the attack of Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers. For his part, Micah Parsons increasingly confirms his status among the very best players in this league. To separate them, Tua Tagovailoa remains the strongest quarterback at the start of the season. Behind, the defending champion Patrick Mahomes shows up in front of a Tyreek Hill who has never been able to get rid of the surprising Christian Gonzalez.
1- Christian McCaffrey (+2) Running Back – San Francisco 49ers (2-0)
2 games – 268 yards at 6.4 yards per carry, 2 touchdowns – 6 receptions, 36 yards
Christian McCaffrey, the running back of the San Francisco 49ers, started the season with a bang, taking on a significant workload from the first games. He was present on every offensive snap in the victory against the Los Angeles Rams, accumulating 268 rushing yards, the best total in the NFL to this point of the season. Adding the receiving yards, he totals 304 yards, placing himself just behind Justin Jefferson. McCaffrey is also the first 49ers player to record more than 100 rushing yards and at least one touchdown in the first two games of the season since Garrison Hearst in 1998.
2- Tua Tagovailoa (-1) Quarterback – Miami Dolphins (2-0)
2 games – 715 yards at 65.3% – 4 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 102.9 rating
Tua Tagovailoa demonstrates a remarkable presence in the pocket at the start of the season. Due to his great agility, he was hit only four times in two games, a number lower than most quarterbacks in the league. This performance is the result of excellent coordination with his offensive line, but also an increased ability to read the game and anticipate the movements of defenders. Against the Patriots, Tagovailoa particularly shone during a pass for Braxton Berrios, where he was able to avoid pressure and find his receiver with perfect timing. This season, he also stands out with impressive statistics, leading the NFL in passing yards and yards per completion, ranking in the top 10 in touchdowns and rating. These exceptional performances make him a serious candidate for the MVP title, even if the season has only just begun. And if we consult the bookmakers, the Dolphins, led by Tagovailoa in great shape, are currently favorites to represent the AFC in the next Super Bowl.
3- Micah Parsons – Linebacker – Dallas Cowboys (2-0)
2 games – 6 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 covered fumble, 1 pass defended
Micah Parsons is having an exceptional start to the NFL season, sparking discussions about his possible candidacy for MVP. In just two weeks, he racked up some impressive stats, including 3 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, 6 contacts with the opposing quarterback, a forced fumble and a covered fumble. These numbers are all the more remarkable given that he was on the field for only 69% of Dallas’ defensive snaps, with the starters resting in what is known as the garbage time, due to the big victories of the Cowboys. Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 93.6, the best in the NFL for all positions. But can a defender really become an MVP?
4- Patrick Mahomes – Quarterback – Kansas City Chiefs (1-1)
2 games – 531 yards at 62.5% – 4 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 88.1 rating
After a mixed start to the season on a collective level but where he still stood out at times, Patrick Mahomes was more convincing and productive this week, recording two passing touchdowns, including one for his star tight end, Travis Kelce. Mahomes completed 29 passes on 41 attempts for 305 yards and two touchdowns, in addition to an interception and 30 yards rushing. He is currently a serious contender for the MVP title and the upcoming clash against the Bears comes at just the right time to put him back in the running once and for all.
5- Tyreek Hill (-3) Receiver – Miami Dolphins (2-0)
2 games – 255 yards at 15.9 yards per reception, 3 touchdowns
Despite an impressive victory for the Miami Dolphins over the Patriots in Week 2, superstar wide receiver Tyreek Hill struggled to shine against rookie Christian Gonzalez. Hill, who had 215 receiving yards against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1, was held to just 40 yards on five receptions against the Patriots. Gonzalez not only managed to contain Hill, but also made his first career interception on a pass intended for favored receiver Tua Tagovailoa, contributing significantly to the Patriots’ defensive performance. Despite Hill’s lackluster performance in this game, he remains a key part of the Dolphins’ offense and a potential candidate in the MVP race.
Special mentions
Brock Purdy (QB, 49ers) – 426 yards at 66.7% completions, 2 touchdowns, 102.9 rating
Baker Mayfield (QB, Buccaneers) – 490 yards at 69.1% completions, 3 touchdowns, 104.4 rating
Jordan Love (QB, Packers) – 396 yards at 55.8% completions, 6 touchdowns, 118.8 rating
Justin Jefferson (WR, Vikings) – 309 yards at 15.5 yards/reception
Brandon Aiyuk (WR, 49ers) – 172 yards at 15.6 yards/reception, 2 touchdowns
Puka Nacua (WR, Rams) – 266 yards at 10.6 yards/reception
Bijan Robinson (RB, Falcons) – 180 yards at 6.2 yards/carry, 1 touchdown
TJ Watt (DE, Steelers) – 9 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 recovered fumbles, 2 passes defended, 1 touchdown
Jordan Whitehead (S, Jets) – 11 tackles, 3 passes defended, 3 interceptions
