2022 NFL MVP Chase, Week 1

 

Photo credit: Torsten Bolten

The 2022 NFL MVP Chase has begun!

What's changed from last year? 

• The standard for quarterbacks is a 100.0 passer rating, up from 97.0

• The standard for backs and receivers has increased substantially. Last season, I counted "good" games in the MVP chase, which was 65 yards from scrimmage. I'm upping that to "great" games, which is 100 yards.

• Instead of a regular-season MVP and a Super Bowl MVP, I'm counting all games through the Super Bowl. All MVP contenders on teams that earned a bye week, however, won't be punished for missing the first playoff round. They all will get a free MVP point for the bye. They earned it.

Here's how it works. To earn an MVP point,

• A quarterback must have a 100.0+ passer rating in a win or tie

• A back or receiver must have 100+ yards from scrimmage in a win or tie.

The player with the most MVP points after the Super Bowl will be the NFL MVP. 

Candidates may emerge from defense and special teams if they have spectacular seasons on winning teams, but I have no definite criteria for them. And frankly, I don't have time to keep tabs on their statistics on a week-by-week basis.

22 players earned an MVP point after Week 1 and are tied for the lead.

Josh Allen, QB, Bills

Saquon Barkley, RB, Giants

A.J. Brown, RB, Eagles

Nick Chubb, RB, Browns

Dalvin Cook, RB, Vikings

Kirk Cousins, QB, Vikings

Stefon Diggs, WR, Bills

Leonard Fournette, RB, Buccaneers

Antonio Gibson, RB, Commanders

Tyreek Hill, WR, Dolphins

Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings

Daniel Jones, QB, Giants

Travis Kelce, TE, Vikings

Jarvis Landry, WR, Saints

Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs

Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Colts

Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles

Geno Smith, QB, Seahawks

Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts

Carson Wentz, QB, Commanders

Jameis Winston, QB, Saints

James Leroy Wilson writes The MVP Chase, Daily Miracles, The Daily Bible Chapter, and JL Cells. Thanks for your subscriptions and support! You may contact James for your writing, editing, and research needs: jamesleroywilson-at-gmail.com.

Photo credit: Torsten Bolten