Just lose, baby!

 Welcome to the MVP Chase, where I look for, or chase, the best objective criteria in determining greatness without personal bias.

Today's topics: The Raiders tank, NFL MVP Chase update

Photo credit: Torsten Bolten

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Before we get to the MVP Chase, I want to comment on the Raiders benching quarterback Derek Carr for the remainder of the season. The two stated reasons are to see how well backup Jarrett Stidham can play and to prevent Carr from being injured. The latter reason preserves Carr's trade value and could save the Raiders from paying Carr a guaranteed $32.9 million next season.

I would be fine with this plan except for one small detail: at 6-9, the Raiders are "still mathematically alive for a playoff spot."

A remote chance. Several teams ahead of them must lose their last two games while the Raiders win theirs.

But, a chance.

And this raises the question: do the Raiders stand a better chance to win those games, especially this week's game, with Carr or a third-year player who's yet to make an NFL start?

It's clear that the Raiders have given up on the season.

They're tanking. They'd rather finish 6-11 and be in a good draft position than remain in contention for the Super Bowl. They've given up while there's still a chance.

In other words, the Raiders are not 100% committed to winning.

The late Al Davis, who ran the Raiders for decades as president of the ownership group and won three Super Bowls, was famous for saying, "Just win, baby."

There are rumors (1, 2) that Mark Davis, Al's son and current Raiders owner, is the one who demanded Carr be benched. If so, he has sent this message to the players: "Just lose, baby."

The players will still play hard because they know their next contract depends on how well they play. But I don't see how their hearts can be in it the same way they would if Carr calls the signals.

If you're like me, it's important for the team you cheer for to make every effort to make the playoffs, which is another way of saying "to win the Super Bowl." 

Had the Raiders stuck with Carr this week and lost (or were otherwise eliminated by other teams winning), then I could see keeping him out of the last game. The Packers would likewise be wise, if they get eliminated this week, to sit Aaron Rodgers for the last game.

But when you have a non-zero chance at the playoffs, you must take it.

The Mark Davis-led Raiders organization quit on their players and fans. 

NFL MVP Chase

With two games left in the season, four and only four players have a shot of winning the regular-season MVP Chase. To review, the MVP Chase is based on accumulated points. To win a point in the MVP Chase,

• 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.

(Multiple players on the same team can earn an MVP point in the same game.)

Here are the remaining candidates:

 

9 MVP Points

Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles

Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings

8 MVP Points

Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals

Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs

 

Nobody has 7 MVP points, which means no one else can catch, let alone pass, Hurts and Jefferson.

As for the players who were still in contention with 6 MVP points last week, none of them advanced.

6 MVP Points

Josh Allen, QB, Bills - 71.3 passer rating

Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders - lost

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars - 86.6 passer rating

Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins - lost

Geno Smith, QB, Seahawks - lost

To round out the field:

• Ten players have 5 MVP points

• Nine have 4 MVP points

• 15 have 3 MVP points

• 27 have 2 MVP points

• 58 have 1 MVP point

The MVP Chase, unlike the AP "official" MVP, won't stop at the regular season's end. It will go through the Super Bowl, so it's possible that someone other than the current top four can win it. When the playoff begins, I'll weed out players from non-playoff teams and see who's still alive.

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