After bouncing round 4 groups in seven NFL seasons, Sam Darnold is enjoying his greatest soccer for the Minnesota Vikings this season. The USC product has guided the Vikings to a stunning 3-0 report. He leads the league in passing touchdowns (8) and is second in passer ranking (117.3).
Chosen No. 3 total by the New York Jets within the 2018 draft, Darnold was projected by NFL scouts as a prospect who would thrive within the execs due to his robust arm and motion expertise. Nevertheless, he is at all times had a problem with taking good care of the soccer, with 58 profession interceptions.
However Darnold has been higher thus far this season, with simply two interceptions by way of three video games. Darnold, 27, made a giant soar within the MVP odds — shifting from 100/1 to 30/1 — which is why he leads our MVP Watch this week. Darnold’s success has even spawned a spoof web page on social media.Â
The bigger query is that this: Can Darnold sustain this tempo in the course of the season? The explanation I do not suppose Darnold will flip right into a pumpkin within the second half of the yr is straightforward — he has one of the best receiver within the league in Justin Jefferson.
The LSU product is at all times open, and Darnold is searching for him in essential moments of the sport on third down and within the purple zone. And since Jefferson is getting a lot consideration, he is creating alternatives and play designs for head coach Kevin O’Connell to dial up simple throws to different receivers.Â
This season, Darnold has accomplished 66.7% of his passes to Jefferson for 273 yards, with 4 20-plus-yard completions for 3 touchdowns and no interceptions, posting a 149.3 passer ranking.
Darnold’s ascension leads this week’s MVP Watch:Â
No. 1:Sam Darnold,Vikings
Present MVP Odds: +3000 (guess $10 to win $300 complete)
Darnold will keep motivated for one more necessary cause — he is enjoying for a contract. He signed a one-year, $10 million take care of the Vikings in free company. And since Minnesota drafted J.J. McCarthy within the first spherical this yr because the quarterback of the longer term (he suffered a season-ending knee damage), Darnold is enjoying for a brand new deal and doubtlessly a brand new house in 2025 this season.
Darnold’s 181-yard, 4 landing efficiency in final week’s lopsided win over Houston helped him turn out to be the primary quarterback in Vikings historical past to begin a season 3-0 and throw a number of touchdowns in every recreation.
He faces the Inexperienced Bay Packers this week. Darnold threw for 341 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions for a 128.4 passer ranking in his solely profession begin in opposition to the Packers his rookie season, a 44-38 loss whereas with the Jets.
No. 2:Josh Allen,Payments
Present MVP Odds: +225 (guess $10 to win $22.50 complete)
Allen continues to refill the stat sheet, with 634 passing yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions for a league-leading 133.7 passer ranking. The Wyoming product additionally has rushed for 85 yards and two scores.
Allen surpassed Patrick Mahomes and is now the favourite to win the MVP Award. In accordance with FOX Sports activities Analysis, Allen recorded his eleventh recreation with 4 passing touchdowns in a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, passing Jim Kelly for essentially the most in Payments historical past.
Allen now has 4 profession video games with a minimum of 250 passing yards, 4 passing touchdowns and 40 speeding yards, essentially the most by any participant in NFL historical past — breaking a tie with Cam Newton.
Gauging Josh Allen’s MVP potential
No. 3:Saquon Barkley,Eagles
Present MVP Odds: +6000 (guess $10 to win $600 complete)
With Christian McCaffrey injured, Barkley has taken over as the favourite (+350) to win the Offensive Participant of the 12 months award, and he is the highest non-quarterback within the race for the MVP award as nicely.
Barkley leads the league in speeding, with 351 yards and 4 touchdowns, and is second within the NFL in scrimmage yards with 404. He is emerged because the engine for Philadelphia on offense. It is nonetheless a head scratcher that the Giants didn’t do extra to maintain him on the roster.
Tom Brady’s 3 Stars of Week 3: Saquon Barkley, Jayden Daniels and Derrick Henry | DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE
No. 4:Baker Mayfield,Buccaneers
Present MVP Odds: +5000 (guess $10 to win $500 complete)
Mayfield had a hiccup in his group’s house loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 3, however he is nonetheless enjoying some good ball. Mayfield is fifth in passer ranking (110.7) and tied for third in passing touchdowns (6) by way of three video games.
Nevertheless, Mayfield was sacked seven occasions in opposition to Denver and has been sacked 13 occasions this season, tied for third within the NFL. So, cross safety is a priority for Tampa Bay.Â
No. 5Patrick Mahomes,Chiefs
Present MVP Odds: +300 (guess $10 to win $30 complete)
Mahomes is off to the worst statistical begin to a season in his NFL profession. He is accomplished 70% of his passes for 659 yards, with 5 touchdowns and 4 interceptions for an 89.9 passer ranking — not precisely MVP worthy. However the Chiefs are nonetheless 3-0 and Mahomes understands it is early.
“I really feel like I have not performed very nicely,” Mahomes mentioned after his group’s win over Atlanta in Week 3. “And that is not a stats factor. I simply really feel like I am lacking alternatives after I’m on the market, and never throwing the ball within the precise spot I would like it to be at.”Â
Mahomes will get an opportunity to show it round in opposition to a Los Angeles Chargers‘ protection that will likely be lacking Derwin James because of suspension, and probably Joey Bosa due to a hip damage.
Honorable point out: Derek Carr, Lamar Jackson, T.J. Watt, C.J. Stroud, Brock PurdyÂ
Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for greater than a decade, protecting theLos Angeles Rams for Sports activities Illustrated, theLos Angeles Chargers for ESPN and theSeattle Seahawks for the Tacoma Information Tribune. Comply with him on Twitter at@eric_d_williams.
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