KC Chiefs: Top five MVP candidates heading into week 14
By Gage Stagner
MVP CANDIDATES
Number 2 – Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks
Another number two spot for Wilson this week. He’s been sensational all year, while the Seahawks find themselves in the driver’s seat for a top-two seed in the playoffs.
It could be his patented scrambles or a deep shot to receivers we’ve never heard of, but Wilson is looking to make a run for another Super Bowl appearance. That has put him firmly in the running for MVP votes thus far.
The Case For
Another big win for Wilson on Monday night kept him neck and neck with Jackson. He has another primetime game this Sunday night to keep his MVP train chugging forward.
Seattle also has another date with San Francisco at the end of the year and if Wilson can pull that off, he might just solidify his MVP campaign. He’s already had five game winning drives according to Pro-Football Reference, a crazy, MVP-caliber stat.
The Case Against
Amazingly, nine of Seattle’s ten wins have come by eight points or less. Now, we can attribute that to the amazing play of Russell Wilson at the end of games, but it is also unsustainable.
If Wilson and the Seahawks trip up here in the next few games, that might effectively take Wilson out of serious contention. While Rodgers might be a safe bet, considering he can put up big games against suspect teams the next four weeks, Wilson may be the risky bet because of the cardiac nature of the Seahawks. If the ball doesn’t bounce their way even just once, it could ruin his MVP chances for good.
MVP Moment
Week 5 vs. Rams - 17/23, 268 yards passing, 4 passing touchdowns, 8 carries for 32 yards, win.
“Did he just do that?” Play:
Typical Wilson scramble drill 13-yard pass to Tyler Lockett in the back of the endzone.