My distaste for the MVP award as a whole has been well recorded. It frankly isn't a great award with no clear definition and has frequently not lived up to its name. It should really be named the Best Player Award, because value really can't be determined unless the player isn't playing. Then, this means the award becomes a question of the best player with the worst roster award. However, assuming the MVP to be the best individual player with the most impact on the game, it's Patrick Mahomes: and it's not close. StatsPatrick Mahomes basically demolishes every other quarterback when it comes to stats. He was just edged out by Roethlisberger when it comes to passing yards but a 5,000 yard season is incredible in its own right. Mahomes is one of seven quarterbacks in NFL history to do so. His touchdown numbers are through the roof, throwing for 11 more than the next man. He joins Tom Brady and Peyton Manning as the only quarterbacks to ever throw for 50 touchdowns. The Kansas City offense averaging 35.3 points per game and 425.6 yards per game, both leading the NFL. Mahomes's stats are record breaking and simply awesome. No other MVP candidate really comes close to him in this category. Wins and Big GamesThe Chiefs locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC last night with a 12-4 record. A common criticism for why Mahomes isn't a MVP is that he wasn't able to win big games. In losses, the Chiefs averaged 37.5 points per game, higher than their average scoring. To blame losses against Rams, Patriots, Chargers, and Seahawks, all of which are playoff teams, on Patrick Mahomes is ridiculous. The Chiefs defense ranks 24th in points allowed and 31st in yards allowed, both of which Mahomes has had to carry all year. Supporting CastThe argument is made that Patrick Mahomes just benefits off of a great coach and talent all over the offense, including the likes of Tyreek Hill, Kareem Hunt, and Travis Kelce. This is a valid argument but to suggest that Mahomes isn't anything more than a game manager is essentially inaccurate. Mahomes has countless plays where he scrambles around, buys time, and delivers an incredible play downfield. Not only that, but I can argue that he hasn't had a bad game all year other than in Week 5 against the Jaguars where he still won the game. This same argument can be attributed to Drew Brees who benefits off Sean Payton, Michael Thomas, Alvin Kamara, and Mark Ingram. Other CandidatesThe other arguments made for MVP are notably Drew Brees, Andrew Luck, and Aaron Donald. Drew Brees has had a great year and the Saints have been excellent this year. His stats just aren't on the same level as Mahomes. Brees having 18 touchdowns less is a number I can't wrap my head around. At first glance, Andrew Luck seems to have put up great numbers on a team that doesn't have the flashy talents that Kansas City does. But the Colts do boast the NFL's best offensive line as well as a tight end that caught 14 touchdowns. They had the 10th best scoring defense compared to Kansas City's 24th ranked scoring defense. Luck's numbers simply aren't on Mahomes level. While the Colts' salvaging of their season is admirable, I can't overlook that Luck did lead them to a 1-5 record in the first six games. Aaron Donald is a much more interesting argument. Donald's dominance is unprecedented in recent years, especially considering his role as an interior defensive lineman compared to an edge-rusher or outside linebacker like Von Miller, J.J. Watt, or Khalil Mack whose jobs are more focused on sacking the quarterback while Donald's is to create discomfort. It's difficult for me to compare Donald and Mahomes, so I feel this is a definitely valid argument. However, back to the value argument, I think it is extremely rare to find a defensive tackle, regardless of how dominant, that is more valuable than a quarterback. It's a lazy and cheap argument but that's the way the award has defined itself.
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