KC Chiefs: Top five MVP candidates heading into week 14

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 20: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks and Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens shake hands after the game at CenturyLink Field on October 20, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Baltimore Ravens top the Seattle Seahawks 30-16. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

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Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

MVP CANDIDATES

Number 5 – Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

The reigning MVP is back in the picture due to a beating of the Oakland Raiders. While he didn’t have a typical Mahomes game, he didn’t need to against a putrid Raiders defense.

The Chiefs have been difficult to understand this season. With a lack of running game, the offense has been much less efficient than last year, however they still lead the league in plays of 20 yards or more. They have had only a couple games where everyone is healthy, and while that may be a factor, Mahomes will be relied upon more than ever to take the Chiefs to where they want to be.

The Case For

The Chiefs are 8-4, and one of those losses came against the Packers when Mahomes was hurt. Despite touchdowns, every other statistical category is relatively similar to last year’s MVP run. He’s second in quaterback rating behind Lamar Jackson, third in yards per attempt, and he’s only thrown two interceptions.

He’s definitely regressed, but not by much, and that could be chalked up to not having his weapons healthy or his offensive line in tact. The Chiefs have a puncher’s chance of still getting a top-two seed and Mahomes will get every opportunity to improve his resumé, starting this week in Foxborough.

The Case Against

It would be tough to vote for a guy who missed two starts. He no longer is the face of the NFL, arguably taken over by Lamar Jackson. Since he’s statistically regressed, how could we vote for him for a consecutive MVP? All valid cases against Mahomes.

The Chiefs offense is not as good and while Mahomes, Hill, Watkins, and Damien Williams have all missed games, it’s a regular season award. He doesn’t have a quality win besides week three against the Ravens. The Chiefs do not look like the same juggernaut as last year and will really need to kick it into gear if they want to host a second-weekend playoff game.

MVP Moment:

Week 2 vs. Raiders – 30/44, 443 yards passing, 4 passing touchdowns, 1 rush for -1 yard, win.

“Did he just do that?” Play:

39-yard back-shoulder touchdown to Demarcus Robinson week 2.

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