Thursday is MVP! Who will be able to dethrone the outgoing winner? Regardless, the more the weeks pass, the more Lamar Jackson becomes the big favorite for his own succession. For his part, there is a little better for Josh Allen who finds the victory column and his place on the podium.
Baker Mayfield, for his part, remains in the top 5 despite a half-hearted performance while Derrick Henry sneaks into the top 5 as he integrates better and better into his new landscape in Baltimore.
Star of the week: Derrick Henry (RB), Ravens
Derrick Henry, a true pillar of the Ravens attack, today stands out as a serious candidate for the MVP title. With his nine touchdowns, he dominates NFL running backs, but his impact goes far beyond simple statistics. In a league where quarterbacks often attract all the spotlight, Henry shines with his ability to make the difference in crucial moments.
At 30 years old, Henry continues to embody this relentless force, as evidenced by his decisive performance this week against Washington, where he was able to seal the victory for the Ravens with 56 yards on the ground in the final minutes. This ability to finish matches has become a key asset for Baltimore, which was able to erase early season errors thanks to the solidity of its runner. Henry is not only an outstanding finisher, he is also a leader who leads his people by example. With 184 yards in the fourth quarter this season, he proves once again that he knows how to respond when the pressure mounts. And his consistency is striking: with 119 races in six games, he is on track for a new record season.
But beyond the numbers, it is his overall contribution that places Henry among the serious contenders for the MVP title. In a balanced attack, where Lamar Jackson plays a central role, Henry brings this physical and relentless dimension which allows the Ravens to dictate the pace. And while quarterbacks often dominate the conversation in the MVP race, Henry's season deserves special attention.
The revelation of the week: Will Anderson (DE), Texans
Will Anderson continues to make an impression this season with another brilliant performance against the Patriots on Sunday. Author of three sacks and eight tackles, the young pass rusher of the Texans was a real nightmare for the New England attack. At just 23 years old, Anderson is already establishing himself as one of the best defenders in the league and a strong candidate for at least Defensive Player of the Year.
With this performance, Anderson brings his total to 12.5 career sacks. No player drafted the same year as him comes close to this total. His ability to disrupt the opposing quarterback and cause turnovers, like with this deflected pass leading to an interception, makes him a pillar of the Texan defense.
In a duo with Danielle Hunter, Anderson forms a formidable pass-rusher duo for the Texans who are a solid 5-1. While it often remains difficult for a defensive player to compete with quarterbacks in the race for MVP, Anderson demonstrates that he can be that element capable of changing the course of a game single-handedly.
Disappointment of the week: Saquon Barkley (RB), Eagles
After a brilliant start with the Eagles, Saquon Barkley is going through a more complicated period which contrasts sharply with his excellent start to the season. Arriving in Philadelphia with fanfare, he impressed in his first games under his new colors: 109 yards and two touchdowns in his debut, 116 yards in week 2, and a masterful performance of 147 yards on the ground and two touchdowns against the Saints. This rise in power foreshadowed an exceptional season for the running back, once a pillar of the Giants.
But since this third week, Barkley seems to be running out of steam. Against the Browns, he was held to just 54 rushing yards and an average of 2.3 yards per carry, well below his usual standards. This slack caused him to fall to 4th among the best rushers in the NFL, while he led the league after the first weeks. Faced with this decline, questions emerge: can Barkley return to his sparkling form, or is he losing momentum at a crucial moment of the season?
However, despite this poor performance, we must not bury the hopes placed in him too quickly. The Eagles' offense remains in search of balance, and Barkley remains a major asset. Philadelphia, which has often found its rhythm by relying on the ground game, has every interest in betting again on its star. With the upcoming game against his former team the Giants, ranked 15th in run defense, Barkley could take this chance to bounce back and remind everyone that he remains one of the most formidable running backs in the league .
The ranking: Derrick Henry enters the Top 5
1- Lamar Jackson (+1) Quarterback – Baltimore Ravens (4-2)
6 games – 1529 yards at 67% completions – 10 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 108.4 rating
2- Sam Darnold (-) Quarterback – Minnesota Vikings (5-0)
5 games – 1111 yards at 63.5% completions – 11 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 103.4 rating
3- Josh Allen (+2) Quarterback – Buffalo Bills (4-2)
6 games – 1160 yards at 62.8% completions – 10 touchdowns, 106.8 rating
4- Baker Mayfield (-1) Quarterback – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3)
6 games – 1489 yards at 70.9% completion rate – 15 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 109.4 rating
5- Derrick Henry (+1) Running Back – Baltimore Ravens (4-2)
6 games – 704 yards at 5.9 yards per carry, 8 touchdowns – 6 receptions, 49 yards, 1 touchdown
