It appears like Josh Allen goes to run away with the NFL MVP award (which is likely to be unfair to two-time MVP Lamar Jackson, who’s taking part in so nicely that he additionally deserves consideration), however that doesn’t imply there aren’t extra gamers who deserve just a little consideration because the season involves an in depth.
The Week 16 NFL Energy Rankings will give it to them by recognizing a group MVP for all 32 golf equipment. We tried to not make it only a bunch of quarterbacks, however we acknowledge there ended up being a variety of quarterbacks.
Final week: 2
Sunday: Beat Pittsburgh Steelers 27-13
MVP: Operating again Saquon Barkley
Whereas huge receiver A.J. Brown and quarterback Jalen Hurts squabble (seemingly squashed for now), Barkley simply retains carrying the Eagles. He was held to 65 yards by the Steelers on Sunday, however he nonetheless has a league-leading 1,688 this season. If he averages 140 yards within the last three video games, he’ll break Eric Dickerson’s document of two,105 set in 1984. Barkley’s offensive dashing anticipated factors added per recreation (3.36) is the second greatest within the league since no less than 2000, in accordance with TruMedia.
Up subsequent: at Washington Commanders, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
What we realized in NFL Week 15: MVP is Josh Allen’s to lose, Packers keep scorching
Final week: 5
Sunday: Beat Detroit Lions 48-42
MVP: Quarterback Josh Allen
Within the final two weeks, Allen has 704 passing yards and 5 passing touchdowns, plus 150 dashing yards and 5 dashing touchdowns. Buffalo has scored 90 factors in these video games. Allen’s 36 mixed touchdowns are second within the league behind Lamar Jackson’s and Joe Burrow’s 37. Towards the Rams in Week 14, he had extra fantasy factors than any participant in NFL historical past (51.88). Each Buffalo opponent worries he can have that sort of recreation in opposition to them, which is why he may also be the league MVP.
Up subsequent: vs. New England Patriots, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
KEON IS SO BACK.
📺: @paramountplus & @NFLonCBS#ProBowlVote | @keoncoleman6 pic.twitter.com/0d8KkW84TS
— Buffalo Payments (@BuffaloBills) December 15, 2024
3. Detroit Lions (12-2)
Final week: 1
Sunday: Misplaced to Buffalo Payments 48-42
MVP: Quarterback Jared Goff
It’s time to cease speaking about Goff as an underdog story, or least completely an underdog story. This 12 months, he’s one of many league’s greatest quarterbacks. Interval. Goff is second in EPA per dropback at .26, which is well the perfect mark of his profession. Possibly extra impressively, he’s second in completion share (71.4) and third in yards per try (8.5). These numbers shouldn’t go collectively. He handed for 494 yards and 5 touchdowns Sunday.
Up subsequent: at Chicago Bears, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
NFL Panic Meter: How apprehensive ought to Lions, Chiefs and Steelers be? Sando’s Decide Six
Final week: 4
Sunday: Beat Seattle Seahawks 30-13
MVP: Operating again Josh Jacobs
Quarterback Jordan Love is having an excellent 12 months, however he’s additionally tied for sixth within the league with 11 interceptions. The Packers huge receivers share the wealth so nicely that none stand out. In the meantime, Jacobs is third within the league in dashing (1,147 yards together with 12 touchdowns) and is the tone-setter for this group. On Sunday, Inexperienced Bay opened with a 10-play landing drive. Jacobs had seven carries and two catches on the drive.
Up subsequent: vs. New Orleans Saints, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
Final week: 3
Monday: Beat Chicago Bears 30-12
MVP: Broad receiver Justin Jefferson
Sorry, Sam Darnold, we’re going with the extra confirmed commodity right here. Jefferson is second within the league in receiving with 1,243 yards. He has topped 1,000 yards each season of his profession and has an excellent likelihood to get previous 1,500 for the third time in 5 seasons. That is why the Vikings gave him $110 million in assured cash in a four-year extension this summer time.
Up subsequent: at Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
Final week: 6
Sunday: Beat Cleveland Browns 21-7
MVP: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes
From 2018 to 2022, Mahomes led the NFL in EPA per dropback (.25). This 12 months, he’s twelfth (.09) and his passer ranking (91) is the bottom in his tenure as a starter. And, nonetheless, he’s dragging a group with out many different excessive octane offensive weapons towards a Tremendous Bowl three-peat. Mahomes left Sunday’s win with a gentle excessive ankle sprain and didn’t return, however coach Andy Reid stated afterward that Mahomes might have re-entered and needs to be thought-about “each day.”
Up subsequent: vs. Houston Texans, Saturday, 1 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
Will Patrick Mahomes miss time? That is the large query after Chiefs enhance to 13-1
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4)
Final week: 7
Sunday: Misplaced to Philadelphia Eagles 27-13
MVP: Exterior linebacker T.J. Watt
Watt left Sunday’s recreation after turning his ankle. Pittsburgh had higher hope it’s not severe. The Steelers are 1-11 (together with the playoffs) with out him within the lineup since he was drafted in 2017. Watt had two sacks earlier than leaving Sunday, and he’s now tied for third within the league with 11 1/2. In his time within the league, nobody has had greater than his 108 sacks.
Up subsequent: at Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET
Lamar Jackson is just not solely the Ravens’ Most worthy participant, but additionally within the working for his third NFL MVP award. (Vincent Carchietta / Imagn Photographs)
8. Baltimore Ravens (9-5)
Final week: 8
Sunday: Beat New York Giants 35-14
MVP: Quarterback Lamar Jackson
The one-time 2024 MVP front-runner is taking part in in addition to he did in 2019, his first MVP season, and higher than he did final 12 months, his second MVP season. Jackson leads the league in EPA per dropback (.33) and passer ranking (120.7). On high of that, he’s averaging 53 dashing yards per recreation, essentially the most amongst quarterbacks. On Sunday, he threw 5 landing passes, had a 154.6 passer ranking and rushed for 65 yards.
Up subsequent: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET
Final week: 10
Sunday: Beat Indianapolis Colts 31-13
MVP: Quarterback Bo Nix
Denver’s rookie quarterback threw three interceptions Sunday, however he additionally threw three landing passes, together with two within the fourth quarter. Since Week 11, Nix is eleventh in EPA per dropback (.13) and has thrown twice as many landing passes as interceptions (10-5). The Broncos have gained 4 straight in that stretch and primarily clinched a playoff spot on Sunday.
Up subsequent: at Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET
10. Washington Commanders (9-5)
Final week: 11
Sunday: Beat New Orleans Saints 20-19
MVP: Quarterback Jayden Daniels
Denver’s Nix is giving Daniels some late-season competitors for offensive rookie of the 12 months, however no rookie has been anyplace close to as electrical as Daniels. He’s fifth in EPA per dropback (.16), tenth in passer ranking (101.2) and second amongst quarterbacks in dashing (656). On Sunday, he led the Commanders in passing (226 yards, 118.5 passer ranking) and dashing (66 yards on 11 carries).
Up subsequent: vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
Commanders went from marching previous Saints to creating questions in chaotic end
Final week: 14
Sunday: Beat Los Angeles Chargers 40-17
MVP: Broad receiver Mike Evans
Certain, Baker Mayfield is third in passing touchdowns (32), however Evans’ worth is illustrated by the truth that Tampa Bay was 0-3 when he wasn’t within the lineup in Weeks 8-11 with a hamstring damage. He was within the recreation Sunday, and he had 9 catches for 159 yards and two touchdowns. He now has 749 yards for the season, and he’ll should common 83.7 over the ultimate three video games to keep away from the primary sub-1,000-yard receiving season of his 11-year profession.
Up subsequent: at Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
BAKER MAYFIELD TO MIKE EVANS FOR THE 57-YARD TD 😤
(through @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/4tIxa21jji— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 15, 2024
12. Los Angeles Rams (8-6)
Final week: 15
Thursday: Beat San Francisco 49ers 12-6
MVP: Quarterback Matthew Stafford
The 36-year-old quarterback is sixteenth within the league in EPA per dropback (.08). He has 19 touchdowns and 7 interceptions, which is ok however nothing particular. Nonetheless, he’s the rationale the Rams have gained seven of 9 and are within the playoff combine after a 1-4 begin. Stafford is now 11-1 in December since transferring to Los Angeles, and has thrown 24 touchdowns and 6 interceptions in these video games. “This time of 12 months, it doesn’t matter the way you win them, you’ve received to win them,” he stated on the Prime Video telecast Thursday night time.
Up subsequent: at New York Jets, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
13. Houston Texans (9-5)
Final week: 13
Sunday: Beat Miami Dolphins 20-12
MVP: Defensive finish Danielle Hunter
Quarterback C.J. Stroud will get graded on a more durable curve this 12 months due to how good he was final season. That’s what permits Hunter to earn this spot. The ninth-year defensive finish had 1 1/2 sacks in opposition to Miami and is second within the league with 12 for the season. Since 2022, he’s second within the league with 39 sacks, and Houston in all probability is fairly proud of its choice to signal him to a two-year, $49 million free-agency deal this previous offseason.
Up subsequent: at Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Saturday, 1 p.m. ET
14. Seattle Seahawks (8-6)
Final week: 9
Sunday: Misplaced to Inexperienced Bay Packers 30-13
MVP: Quarterback Geno Smith
Defensive lineman Leonard Williams is having an important 12 months, however it’s Smith who makes this group go. Or not. Smith is ninth within the league in EPA per dropback (.28) with 9 touchdowns and two interceptions when not beneath stress, in accordance with Professional Soccer Focus. He’s twenty fifth with 5 touchdowns and 11 interceptions when beneath stress. The Seahawks’ greatest downside is that they have given up 223 pressures, which is greater than all however two groups.
Up subsequent: vs. Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
15. Los Angeles Chargers (8-6)
Final week: 12
Sunday: Misplaced to Tampa Bay Buccaneers 40-17
MVP: Quarterback Justin Herbert
Herbert topped 20,000 profession passing yards Sunday, turning into the third-youngest quarterback to succeed in that milestone. That won’t make him really feel significantly better after the sport the Chargers had, although. Herbert completed the competition with an 87.3 passer ranking, and his EPA per dropback (.01) is now twenty first within the league and the worst of his five-year profession. He’s nonetheless the Chargers’ MVP, however this 12 months might be loads higher.
Up subsequent: vs. Denver Broncos, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET
Final week: 19
Sunday: Beat Tennessee Titans 37-27
MVP: Quarterback Joe Burrow
Burrow leads the NFL in passing yards (3,977) and passing touchdowns (36). On Sunday, he had his sixth straight recreation with no less than 250 yards and three touchdowns. And, nonetheless, he was livid throughout a sideline dialog with head coach Zac Taylor late within the recreation. “I used to be pissed off within the day we had on offense,” Burrow stated afterward. “It was only a irritating day on offense.” Possibly setting a career-high in passing yards will assist as a result of he’s on tempo to high the 4,611 he had in 2021.
Up subsequent: vs. Cleveland Browns, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
How bizarre was Bengals’ win over Titans? Recounting so many wacky performs
Final week: 17
Sunday: Beat New England Patriots 30-17
MVP: Operating again James Conner
Conner had 16 carries for 110 yards and two touchdowns Sunday and is ninth within the league in dashing (973 yards). He’s sixth amongst working backs in dashing success fee (43.8 p.c). Conner had his profession excessive in dashing final 12 months in his seventh season within the league (1,040 yards), and he’s going to high it in his eighth 12 months, barring catastrophe.
Up subsequent: at Carolina Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
James Conner ➕6️⃣
📺: #NEvsAZ on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/KVZ6gx0e5W— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2024
Final week: 21
Monday: Beat Las Vegas Raiders 15-9
MVP: Operating again Bijan Robinson
Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson realized his working again “rotation” from his outdated boss, Rams head Sean McVay. Bijan Robinson already has surpassed final season’s totals in carries and dashing yards. He’s fifth within the league with 1,102 dashing yards on 237 carries, and he’s been essentially the most constant a part of an up-and-down Falcons offense.
Up subsequent: vs. New York Giants, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
19. Dallas Cowboys (6-8)
Final week: 22
Sunday: Beat Carolina Panthers 30-14
MVP: Broad receiver CeeDee Lamb
Lamb is getting 27.3 p.c of Dallas’ passing targets this season, which ranks sixth within the league. On Sunday, he had 9 catches for 116 yards. It was simply his second 100-yard recreation of the season, however defensive finish Micah Parsons hasn’t had fairly a adequate season to unseat Lamb despite the fact that Parsons is fourth in stress share amongst gamers with greater than 100 move rush snaps, in accordance with TruMedia.
Up subsequent: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
20. Miami Dolphins (6-8)
Final week: 16
Sunday: Misplaced to Houston Texans 20-12
MVP: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa
Granted, it didn’t notably appear like it on Sunday. Tagovailoa threw three interceptions and misplaced a fumble in opposition to the Texans, almost doubling his interception whole for the season to seven. Nonetheless, he’s high 5 within the league in EPA per dropback (.21), and none of his Miami teammates are giving him a lot competitors for this recognition. Tyreek Hill is twenty fourth within the league in receiving yards (805).
Up subsequent: vs. San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
21. San Francisco 49ers (6-8)
Final week: 18
Thursday: Misplaced to Los Angeles Rams 12-6
MVP: Quarterback Brock Purdy
Purdy hasn’t performed as nicely this season as he did final, however who in San Francisco has? The 24-year-old is seventh in EPA per dropback (.15) however has 9 interceptions in opposition to 15 touchdowns one 12 months after having 31 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. This can be an attention-grabbing offseason for Purdy, who has yet one more 12 months on his rookie deal. He’s set to make $1.1 million in 2025. Will a brand new deal get finished this offseason?
Up subsequent: at Miami Dolphins, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
22. Indianapolis Colts (6-8)
Final week: 20
Sunday: Misplaced to Denver Broncos 31-13
MVP: Operating again Jonathan Taylor
Sure, Taylor will get it regardless of making Sunday’s worst play, dropping the ball in need of the purpose line to show a landing right into a turnover and provides Denver all of the momentum. On the optimistic facet, he had 22 carries for 107 yards and now has 911 yards for the season. If the 25-year-old will get over 1,000, it is going to be the primary time he has finished that since 2021, when he had 1,811 yards and was second in offensive participant of the 12 months voting.
Up subsequent: vs. Tennessee Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
Colts’ calamities pile up in collapse in opposition to Broncos that crushes playoff desires
23. New Orleans Saints (5-9)
Final week: 23
Sunday: Misplaced to Washington Commanders 20-19
MVP: Operating again Alvin Kamara
Saquon Barkley and Kyren Williams are the one gamers with extra offensive touches than Kamara, who has produced 1,493 scrimmage yards on 228 carries for 950 yards and 68 receptions for 543 yards. That is already a profession excessive in touches (296) for the 29-year-old, and he’s on tempo to high his greatest whole yardage mark (1,688) from 2020.
Up subsequent: at Inexperienced Bay Packers, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
Final week: 30
Sunday: Beat Jacksonville Jaguars 32-25
MVP: Edge Will McDonald IV
There aren’t many vivid spots for the Jets this season. Actually, there could also be just one — McDonald, who has blossomed in his second 12 months within the league and is tied for seventh with 10 sacks. There was some concern after a three-sack rookie season that McDonald wasn’t going to meet his first-round pedigree, however he has this season.
Up subsequent: vs. Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
25. Chicago Bears (4-10)
Final week: 24
Monday: Misplaced to Minnesota Vikings 30-12
MVP: Cornerback Jaylon Johnson
Former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus might remorse no matter half he performed in getting Johnson a four-year, $76 million contract this offseason as a result of it was Johnson who led the locker room in a testy dialog with Eberflus on Thanksgiving, a day earlier than his firing. That in all probability will transform an excellent factor for the Bears, although. On high of that, Johnson is Chicago’s most gifted participant.
Up subsequent: vs. Detroit Lions, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
26. Cleveland Browns (3-11)
Final week: 25
Sunday: Misplaced to Kansas Metropolis Chiefs 21-7
MVP: Defensive finish Myles Garrett
Browns followers gasped when Garrett ripped his helmet off and laid on the turf Sunday after getting poked within the eye, however Cleveland’s greatest participant gave the impression to be tremendous after the sport and may have the ability to end a season through which he has amassed 11 sacks, which ranks fifth within the league. Garrett has 99 1/2 sacks since being drafted first in 2017, which ranks second behind solely T.J. Watt in that span.
Up subsequent: at Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
27. Carolina Panthers (3-11)
Final week: 26
Sunday: Misplaced to Dallas Cowboys 30-14
MVP: Operating again Chuba Hubbard
Sunday was a tough day (10 carries, 32 yards), however Hubbard is sixth in dashing for the season. His 1,043 yards and eight dashing touchdowns are profession highs. Among the many workhorse backs (greater than 200 carries), he’s sixth in dashing success fee (42.2 p.c), and he’s doing it with no passing recreation that’s taking any stress off him.
Up subsequent: vs. Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
28. New England Patriots (3-11)
Final week: 27
Sunday: Misplaced to Arizona Cardinals 30-17
MVP: Quarterback Drake Maye
There aren’t many choices in New England, however Maye is a deserving recipient regardless of numbers that gained’t flip any heads. The rookie is 18th in EPA per dropback (.03) and twenty second in yards per try (6.8). However he’s additionally fifth amongst quarterbacks in dashing yards per recreation (35.9) and making a lot of performs within the passing recreation by escaping hassle along with his legs.
Up subsequent: at Buffalo Payments, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
Drake Maye makin’ performs for the @Patriots TD!
📺: #NEvsAZ on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/jVEltTKTo8— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2024
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-11)
Final week: 28
Sunday: Misplaced to New York Jets 32-25
MVP: Broad receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
The rookie huge receiver had 10 catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns Sunday. He’s eighth within the league with 956 receiving yards. His eight receiving touchdowns are tied for fifth, and his 14.9 yards per catch are fifteenth. Not dangerous for the fourth huge receiver drafted in 2024.
Up subsequent: at Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
30. Tennessee Titans (3-11)
Final week: 29
Sunday: Misplaced to Cincinnati Bengals 37-27
MVP: Operating again Tony Pollard
The sixth-year professional didn’t have an important day Sunday, however his 45 yards received him to 982 for the season, which is simply 25 yards in need of his profession excessive. When he hits that, it’ll be a uncommon offensive spotlight for a group that employed Brian Callahan to repair the offense however is twenty eighth in scoring (18.14). Quarterback Will Levis was benched Sunday and should not return to the beginning job this season.
Up subsequent: at Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
31. Las Vegas Raiders (2-12)
Final week: 31
Monday: Misplaced to Atlanta Falcons 15-9
MVP: Tight finish Brock Bowers
The rookie is tied for fourth within the NFL in catches this season with 90. Not second amongst tight ends. Second amongst all gamers. He and rookie huge receiver Malik Nabers path solely Ja’Marr Chase, Amon-Ra St. Brown and CeeDee Lamb. Regardless of taking part in with three quarterbacks (Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell and Desmond Ridder), Bowers has 968 yards. Mike Ditka (1,076 yards) and Kyle Pitts (1,026 yards) are the one rookie tight ends to surpass 1,000 receiving yards.
Up subsequent: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
32. New York Giants (2-12)
Final week: 32
Sunday: Misplaced to Baltimore Ravens 35-14
MVP: Defensive deal with Dexter Lawrence
Lawrence went on injured reserve two weeks in the past due to an elbow damage, and he’ll miss the remainder of the season. He’s nonetheless the Giants’ MVP as a result of he’s nonetheless ninth within the NFL in sacks with 9. He received all of them within the first seven video games of the season, and Giants followers haven’t had a lot to be comfortable about since then.
Up subsequent: at Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
(High picture of Saquon Barkley: Mitchell Leff / Getty Photographs)
