NFL MVP and College Football Playoff Chase November 26, 2024

 

IN THIS ISSUE:

• NFL MVP Chase

• College Football Playoff Chase

NFL MVP CHASE

A couple of years ago, the 49ers traded four draft picks (2nd-4th rounders in 2023, 5th in 2024) to acquire running back Christian McCaffrey from the Panthers. The 49ers were already a good team, and with McCaffrey they almost won a Super Bowl, losing to the Chiefs in overtime last season. They don't regret making the trade because  McCaffrey was a vital reason they were so close.

A great quarterback can elevate a bad team, lifting a terrible one to mediocrity, and a mediocre team to Super Bowl contention. A great running back can do no such thing, but he can make a good team great.

Four of the five running backs in the top ten of the MVP Chase are new acquisitions, joining their current teams this year. The fifth, Jahmyr Gibbs, is only in his second season but was a Pro Bowler in his rookie season for the Lions.

Four of the teams are in a better position than last year at this time. The Ravens are the exception, but Derrick Henry is compensating for their drop-off in defensive performance. A great running back throws defenses off-balance and makes quarterbacks more effective. Even if they all have good or great offensive lines, most running backs won't be as productive or explosive as the guys on this list.

Because players don't gain points in any games in which their teams lose, this is anyone's race. 

Ranking based on formulas with data collected from Stathead.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF CHASE

It's becoming increasingly possible for at least one three-loss team to sneak into the playoffs. Therefore, I've ranked all the teams with three losses or fewer, no matter how unlikely it seems that they'll get in.

Each team is ranked by:

• Number of wins (Wins)

• Strength of teams beaten: how many games have they won? (SW)

• Strength of teams beaten by: how many games have they lost? (SL)

• Points away from being undefeated: did you lose two games by a combined five points or 30? (PDL)

A team that ranks highly in each of these categories will be ranked high overall. 

James Leroy Wilson writes The MVP Chase (subscribe). Thank you for your subscriptions and support! You may contact James for writing, editing, research, and other work: jamesleroywilson-at-gmail.com.