The MVP dialogue has been whittled all the way down to an A and B dialog between Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts. Joe Burrow is eavesdropping, however within the closing quarter of the season, he’s on the surface trying in. As issues at the moment stand, Mahomes occupies the B slot on this race as Hurts is edging out the 2018 MVP within the 2022 Most Valuable Player duel.
To Hurts’ benefit, his consistency has been unbelievable. He’s a metronome for the Eagles. Hurts at the moment directs the No. 1 scoring offense and in Week 14 jumped all around the Giants en path to a 48-22 victory. Mahomes represents the second-best offense, however threw three picks Sunday, albeit towards a smothering Broncos protection.
To his credit score, Mahomes leads the NFL in landing passes by a bigger margin than the space between second-place Joe Burrow and the ninth-ranked passing landing generator. However, if you think about Mahomes’ and Hurts’ dashing touchdowns, the distinction in complete touchdowns shrinks to 35 for Mahomes and 32 for Hurts.
Mahomes additionally possesses the best QBR within the NFL, forward of Hurts, who’s fourth, however the latter has rushed for extra yardage this season (686) than Mahomes has in 2021 and 2022 mixed. Hurts’ scrambles aren’t as electrical as Lamar Jackson’s throughout his unanimous MVP season of 2019. He’s extra methodical, however the impact works simply the identical.
Hurts’ three interceptions for a workforce that’s misplaced simply as soon as all season offers him an edge over Mahomes’ 11 (fourth-most within the NFL). That lowlight reel features a move into protection throughout a late drive towards the Colts in Week 3, that was tipped, intercepted and finally prevented the Chiefs from trying a game-tying subject aim.
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Against Tennessee, Hurts scalpelled a 40-yard touchdown strike into the crevice between A.J. Brown and the cornerback velcroed to his chest. His throws to Brown, whom the Titans traded this offseason, got Titans general manager Jon Robinson fired in the process.
Sunday was a reunion of sorts between Hurts and Brian Daboll, Alabama’s offensive coordinator in 2018 when Hurts was the starter before being benched for Tua Tagovailoa in the second half of that season’s national championship game against Georgia. Ironically, it was Hurts’ issues opening defenses up with his deep passing that left his starting role vulnerable to Tagovailoa.
Over the weekend, Hurts and Mahomes delivered the two best deep throws of the weekend. Mahomes shoveled a no-look outlet pass to Jerick McKinnon who scampered 56 yards for a score, while Hurts split the Giants defense with a hole-in-one deep ball to Devonta Smith on a 4th-and 7 that dropped between two defensive backs. After Week 14, Hurts has handed for extra touchdowns on throws of 25 air yards or greater than any NFL sign caller besides Geno Smith. It seems like Hurts one way or the other stole Russell Wilson’s deep passing accuracy and refuses to provide it again.
The prophets who put cash down on Hurts’ 40-to-1 or +4000 odds to say his first MVP earlier than the season ought to take a bow. But they’re not the one ones about to receives a commission. Hurts’ rookie contract will lastly expire in 2023 and this efficiency has probably moved him up a couple of NFL tax brackets. He is evolving at a quantum tempo and hurtling towards his first MVP within the meantime. Hurts has hurdled each pace bump obstructing his path to the highest and there aren’t many left that may sluggish him.