It’s status quo this week with a quintet almost identical to last week.
Still on his cloud, Christian McCaffrey continues his fabulous harvest with a fourteenth game in a row with a touchdown scored. Behind him, Tua Tagovailoa, not necessarily the author of his best performance, also retains his place as runner-up. But the hit of the week is undoubtedly Brock Purdy. Author of a remarkable and remarkable performance against the Cowboys, the young quarterback of the 49ers surpasses none other than Patrick Mahomes, apologetically. Like last week, Josh Allen closes the top 5.
1- Christian McCaffrey (-) Running Back – San Francisco 49ers (5-0)
5 games – 510 yards at 5.2 yards per carry, 7 touchdowns – 20 receptions, 168 yards, 1 touchdown
Christian McCaffrey, the star running back of the 49ers, is making his mark on the season. In just five weeks, he has already scored eight touchdowns, positioning himself as one of the most decisive players in the league. With such a performance, he is on track to reach 27 touchdowns on the season, which would be the third best total in history. McCaffrey, with his power and versatility, currently leads the NFL in rushing yards and has established himself as a formidable weapon, both on the ground and in the air. While quarterbacks are often favorites for MVP, McCaffrey is shaking up the odds while taking some weight off the shoulders of his quarterback, Brock Purdy.
2- Tua Tagovailoa (-) Quarterback – Miami Dolphins (4-1)
5 games – 1614 yards at 71.7% – 11 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 111.9 rating
Tua Tagovailoa at the helm of the Dolphins, hit hard again against the New York Giants. With 308 yards and two touchdowns, he led his team to victory. Certainly, two interceptions punctuated his performance, but his ability to rebound is undeniable. His touchdown thrown to Jaylen Waddle is proof of that. Despite a few missteps, Tua asserts himself as a serious contender for the MVP title, taking the Dolphins to the top. His risk-taking can sometimes surprise you, but it’s also what makes him an undisputed leader on the pitch. But be careful, the shadow of a certain Brock Purdy hovers over him.
3- Brock Purdy (+1) Quarterback – San Francisco 49ers (5-0)
5 games – 1271 yards at 72.1% – 9 touchdowns, 123.1 rating
Brock Purdy is the sensation of the moment for the 49ers. Passed from the status of “ Mr. Irrelevant » to that of starting quarterback, his trajectory is simply breathtaking. Five games into the 2023 season, and Purdy is already on everyone’s lips as a serious MVP candidate. His numbers speak for themselves: a pass completion rate of 72.1%, a rating of 123.1, a TD-interception ratio of +9 and an average margin of victory of 19.8 points per game. Add to that an immaculate 13-0 record when he plays at least three quarters, and you have the picture of a player on a mission. The 49ers dominate the NFL, averaging 33.4 points per game, and Brock Purdy is at the heart of this offensive machine. Today, he’s more than just a system quarterback: He’s in the running to be the league’s most valuable player.
4- Patrick Mahomes (-1) Quarterback – Kansas City Chiefs (4-1)
5 games – 1287 yards at 66.8% – 10 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 96 rating
Patrick Mahomes continues to impress the NFL. Against the Vikings, he not only led the Chiefs to a 27-20 victory, but he also made history by becoming the youngest quarterback to defeat every team in the league at least once, joining icons like Brady and Rodgers. During this match, he brilliantly orchestrated the attack, highlighting emerging talents like rookie Rashee Rice. With precise passes and a vision of the game as effective as ever, Mahomes confirms that he is a serious contender for the MVP title this season.
5- Josh Allen (-) Quarterback – Buffalo Bills (3-2)
5 games – 1407 yards at 73.1% – 11 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 105.6 rating
In London, Josh Allen was put to the test. Against the Jaguars, despite the time difference and the hazards of travel, he shone. But everything was not rosy: the Bills offensive line shook, and the lack of a third receiver was felt. Yet Allen, with his determination, stayed the course. This match certainly revealed weaknesses, but in the race for MVP, Allen remains a strong competitor. The Bills have work to do, but with Allen at the helm, anything seems possible.
Special mentions
Justin Herbert (QB, Chargers) – 1106 yards on 71% completions, 7 touchdowns, 1 interception, 106.3 rating
CJ Stroud (QB, Texans) – 1461 yards at 61.3% completions, 7 touchdowns, 98.4 rating
Kirk Cousins (QB, Vikings) – 1,498 yards at 71.7% completions, 13 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 101.7 rating
Puka Nacua (WR, Rams) – 572 yards at 12.4 yards/reception, 2 touchdowns
Justin Jefferson (WR, Vikings) – 571 yards at 15.9 yards/reception, 3 touchdowns
Tyreek Hill (WR, Dolphins) – 651 yards at 18.1 yards/reception, 5 touchdowns
Keenan Allen (WR, Chargers) – 434 yards at 12.4 yards/reception, 3 touchdowns
D’Andre Swift (RB, Eagles) – 434 yards at 5.7 yards/carry, 2 touchdowns
TJ Watt (LB, Steelers) – 15 tackles, 8 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 3 recovered fumbles, 4 passes defended
