Welcome to the MVP Chase, where I, James Leroy Wilson, rank players and teams using objective data.
Note: For the methodology in how I rank the players for the MVP, look before the "About the Author" section.
I had a busy week but wanted to get this in before this Sunday's game (the Thursday night Bears victory over the Commanders has no impact on the MVP standings, at least not yet.)
There are just three players well ahead of the pack in the MVP Chase. Unsurprisingly, they are from undefeated teams, because the MVP Chase is purposely designed to reward victories. As noted last week, Jalen Hurts is an unlikely leader because his statistics are pedestrian so far (15th in passer rating), but he remains a consistently top performer in the context of the Eagles offense.
Christian McCaffrey has tied him. This is evidence of something I've been thinking about: a great running back on a bad team can't do much to help it, but a great running back on a great team can make it the best team.
1st Place, 29 MVP Points
Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles (4-0) 7.25 points per win
Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers (4-0) 7.25 points per win
3rd Place, 27 MVP Points
Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers (4-0), 6.75 points per win
4th, 23 Points
Josh Allen, QB, Bills (3-1), 7.67 points per win
Jared Goff, QB, Lions (3-1) 7.67 points per win
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs (3-1) 7.67 points per win
Baker Mayfield, QB, Buccaneers (3-1) 7.67 points per win
8th, 22 Points
Jake Elliot, K, Eagles (4–0) 5.5 points per win
9th, 21 Points
Kenneth Walker II, RB, Seahawks (3-1) 7.00 points per win
10th, 20 Points
A.J. Brown, WR, Eagles (4-0) 5.0 points per win
Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens (3-1) 6.67 points per win
Jake Moody, K, 49ers (4-0) 5.0 points per win
Raheem Mostert, RB, Dolphins (3-1) 6.67 points per win
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins (3-1) 6.67 points per win
15th, 19 Points
Brandon Aubrey, K, Cowboys (3-1) 6.33 points per win
Tyreek Hill, WR, Dolphins (3-1) 6.33 points per win
Geno Smith, QB, Seahawks (3-1) 6.33 points per win
D'Andre Swift, RB, Eagles (4-0) 4.75 points per win
19th, 18 Points
Isaiah Pacheco, RB, Chiefs (3-1) 18 6.00 points per win
Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys (3-1) 18 6.00 points per win
21st, 17 Points
James Cook, RB, Bills (3-1) 5.67 points per win
Aman-Ra St. Brown, RB, Lions (3-1) 5.67 points per win
Deebo Samuel, WR, 49ers (4-0) 4.25 points per win
24th, 16 Points
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 49ers (4-0) 4.0 points per win
Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers (2-2) 8.0 points per win
Deshaun Watson, QB, Browns (2-2) 8.0 points per win
Kyren Williams, RB, Rams (2-2) 8.0 points per win
About the Author
James Leroy Wilson writes The MVP Chase (subscribe) and JL Cells (subscribe) and is a monthly columnist at Meer. Thank you for your subscriptions and support! You may contact James for writing, editing, research, and other work: jamesleroywilson-at-gmail.com.
MVP Chase Methodology
For each game, I will look at the winning team. Then I will rank its top eight statistical performers using fantasypros scoring. I'll give 8 points to the team's top performer, 7 to the next-best, and so on. Then their points are added to their previous points in victories to give the current-week total.
Week 1 totals (No formal Power Rankings)