Thursday is MVP! Like every year, mid-season is the moment chosen by Joe Burrow to remember all observers. Very fit, he seems well on his way to launching the Bengals' crazy comeback. Still at the top of the rankings, the inevitable Lamar Jackson continues to ruthlessly reign over this MVP race. More generally, it's the status quo on the podium since both Josh Allen and Jared Goff delivered very clean performances this week.
Behind, Jayden Daniels is clawing back with another great performance in front of Derrick Henry who, however, is not giving up with already 11 touchdowns on the ground this year. For his part, Saquon Barkley illuminated the compilation of the best moments of the week while CJ Stroud sinks a little deeper into doubt.
Star of the week: Saquon Barkley (RB), Eagles
Saquon Barkley is rewriting his own history this season, and the Eagles can thank him. After a sluggish start to the season, Philadelphia recovered spectacularly, stringing together four consecutive victories led by Barkley returning to his best form. With performances worthy of an MVP, the running back continued to shine, whether through his explosive runs or his aerial acrobatics, as evidenced by this daring jump against the Jaguars.
Since the bye week, Saquon Barkley has accumulated games with more than 100 yards, peaking at 159 yards this week against Jacksonville. He comes to remind the entire NFL that he is one of the best offensive players in the league. His impact is such that even Nick Sirianni, the Eagles coach, admits that the team now relies on his dynamism and his ability to transform ordinary actions into spectacular moments.
With more than 1,000 yards already achieved and impressive consistency, Barkley is no longer content with being a key player: he is becoming the face of a team that aspires to much more than just a place in the playoffs. For many, he is now one of the names to watch in the MVP race.
The revelation of the week: Joe Burrow (QB), Bengals
Joe Burrow, despite a lackluster start to the season, is bringing the Bengals' hopes back to life. With impressive statistics, he tops the rankings of quarterback rating and positions itself for a historic season. If he maintains his pace, Burrow could finish with 4,239 passing yards, 38 touchdowns and just 7 interceptions, all with 70% accuracy – a performance only Aaron Rodgers achieved during his MVP season in 2020.
This rise in power is crucial for Cincinnati, especially since the upcoming schedule does not look easy. The Bengals will face the stout defenses of the Steelers, Chargers and Broncos, ranked among the best in the league. Burrow will therefore have to maintain his exceptional level of play to hope to keep the Bengals in the race for the playoffs.
He has proven in the past that he transcends himself in decisive moments, especially at the end of the season, and his efficiency could be the key factor in propelling Cincinnati to the top of the AFC North. The presence of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins will also be decisive in this quest. But for Burrow, each upcoming game will be an opportunity to make an impact and prove that he deserves his place in the MVP conversation.
Disappointment of the week: CJ Stroud (QB), Texans
CJ Stroud is going through a tough time with the Texans, highlighted by his recent performance against the Jets. With only 191 passing yards without a touchdown (11 on 30 attempts), Stroud reached his lowest career completion rate (37%). Despite a solid connection with Tank Dell (six receptions for 126 yards), the rest of the receivers did not follow: only five receptions out of 21 for 65 yards, an average of 3.1 yards per attempt.
This game highlights the challenges Stroud faces this season. Deprived of Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs, and supported by a porous offensive line, he was put under pressure all evening, conceding eight sacks, bringing his total to 30 in nine games. This constant pressure does not allow the young QB to fully express himself and makes him particularly vulnerable against formidable defenses like that of the Jets.
However, the situation could improve for Stroud with the return of Nico Collins in week 10. At the start of the season, with Collins and Diggs, he posted encouraging averages of 264 yards and 1.5 touchdowns per game, even placing himself in the top 10 fantasy QBs in two of the first four games. Although Diggs will not return, the Dell-Collins duo could breathe new life into the Texans' offense. With a softer schedule at the end of the season, including games against the Cowboys, Jaguars and Ravens, Stroud still has the opportunity to turn things around. But expectations remain cautious: even with the support of his receivers, he will have to show more consistency to really make his mark and get Houston back in the race.
The ranking: Lamar Jackson alone on his planet
1- Lamar Jackson (-) Quarterback – Baltimore Ravens (6-3)
9 games – 2,379 yards at 68.2% completions – 20 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 120.7 rating
2- Josh Allen (-) Quarterback – Buffalo Bills (7-2)
9 games – 2001 yards at 64.1% completions – 17 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 105.8 rating
3- Jared Goff (-) Quarterback – Detroit Lions (7-1)
8 games – 1840 yards at 74.9% completions – 14 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 115 rating
4- Jayden Daniels (+1) Quarterback – Washington Commanders (7-2)
9 games – 1945 yards at 71.5% completions – 9 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 106.7 rating
5- Derrick Henry (-1) Running Back – Baltimore Ravens (6-3)
9 games – 1052 yards at 6.3 yards per carry, 11 touchdowns – 9 receptions, 93 yards, 2 touchdowns
