Welcome to the MVP Chase, where I, James Leroy Wilson, rank players and teams using objective data.
Three undefeated teams are left in the NFL. That doesn't mean they're the top three teams… or are they? After our Power Ranking, we'll cut to the MVP Chase. I explain the methodology for the Power Ranking and MVP after "About the Author," followed by links to previous weeks.
NFL POWER RANKINGS
49ers (3-0)
Dolphins (3-0)
Browns (2-1)
Bills (2-1)
Cowboys (2-1)
Eagles (3-0)
Chiefs (2-1)
Packers (2-1)
Lions (2-1)
Ravens (2-1)
Rams (1-2)
Saints (2-1)
Cardinals (1-2)
Colts (2-1)
Buccaneers (2-1)
Falcons (2-1)
Chargers (1-2)
Seahawks (2-1)
Texans (1-2)
Vikings (0-3)
Patriots (1-2)
Steelers (2-1)
Commanders (2-1)
Jaguars (1-2)
Bengals (1-2)
Raiders (1-2)
Jets (1-2)
Titans (1-2)
Panthers (0-3)
Broncos (0-3)
Giants (1-2)
Bears (0-3)
MVP CHASE
Jordan Love had a statistically below-average game on Sunday when his Packers overcame a 17-0 deficit in the 4th quarter to win the game. Nobody on the Packers was great in an ugly game, but who would deny that Love was the most valuable in the victory? His numbers were mediocre, but they were still the best among all Packers. If he's in the MVP conversation at the end of the year, this ugly victory should be a case for him, not against.
The story of Love helps explain why Jalen Hurts now leads the MVP Chase even though he's been unspectacular. What's notable is he's also the only Eagle in the top seven; Dolphin and 49er teammates are "sharing the wealth" with different players leading their teams each week. No Eagle is having a great statistical season so far, and Hurts by default has been among their top performer each week.
The lack of great performances is reflected in the undefeated Eagles’ position at 6th in the Power Rankings, behind some one-loss teams. The team hasn’t had signature dominating games with eye-popping statistics as several other teams have.
As more games are played, things will likely even out. For instance, if the Chiefs win with Mahomes their top performer and the Eagles lose, Mahomes will pass Hurts.
In other words, it's too early to crown the MVP. But I want to keep track of the body of work, remembering that great games in losses might help you earn Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections, but should not help your MVP case. Pedestrian games in victories, however, might.
The MVP is about helping the team win.
Here are the Top 25 MVP Candidates after Week 3. Players who are tied are listed alphabetically.
1 Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles 22 MVP Points
2 Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers 21
T3 Raheem Moster, RB, Dolphins 20
T3 Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers 20
T3 Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins 20
6 Tyreek Hill, WR, Dolphins 19
7 Deebo Samuel, WR, 49ers 17
T8 Jake Elliott, K, Eagles 16
T8 Jared Goff, QB, Lions 16
T8 Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs 16
T8 Deshaun Watson, QB, Browns 16
T12 Josh Allen, QB, Bills 15
T12 Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers 15
T12 Sam Howell, QB, Commanders 15
T12 Jordan Love, QB, Packers 15
T12 Baker Mayfield, QB, Buccaneers 15
T12 Jake Moody, K, 49ers 15
T12 Brian Robinson, RB, Commanders 15
T19 Zack Moss, RB, Colts 14
T19 Bijan Robinson, Falcons 14
T19 Geno Smith, QB, Seahawks 14
T19 D'Andre Swift, RB, Eagles 14
T19 Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seahawks 14
T24 Brandon Aubrey, K, Cowboys 13
T24 Chris Boswell, K, Steelers 13
T24 Derek Carr, QB, Saints 13
T24 Kenny Pickett, QB, Steelers 13
T24 Desmond Ridder, QB, Falcons 13
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.
NFL Power Rankings Methodology
After each game, teams are assigned 0 to 5 points.
0 - lost by 17+ points
1 - lost by 9-16 points
2 - lost by 1-8 points
3 - w0n by 1-8
4 - won by 9-16
5 - won by 17+
If teams are tied by the number of points after a week - say, after 5 points after two weeks, I rank teams that lost close games higher than those who are dominated. For example:
Team A has five points: 0 points for Week 1 (lost by 17+), 5 points for Week 2 won the second game by 17+)
Team B has five points: 2 for Week 1 (a narrow loss), 3 for Week 2 (a narrow win)
Team B would be ranked higher because it is closer to being undefeated.
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)