5 favorites for the NFL MVP award in 2020
While Patrick Mahomes is the clear favorite, the 2020 NFL MVP award will be hotly contested. We examine Mahomes’ competition for MVP.
5. Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans
Everybody on the list is a quarterback, largely because it’s extremely hard to win the NFL MVP if you aren’t. The Texans aren’t expected to be a top team this year. Although, Watson is largely viewed as a top-5 quarterback in the league. If he can propel Houston to another AFC South title despite losing DeAndre Hopkins this offseason and still being saddled with a bad defense, he might get serious consideration.
4. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Jackson won unanimously in 2019, so he needs to be on the list once more. After accounting for more than 1,200 rushing yards and 46 touchdowns on the league’s best regular-season team, Jackson was certainly deserving.
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However, it’s damn near impossible to repeat. For starters, putting two worthy seasons together is a tall task. Baltimore doesn’t have a strong set of receivers, so for Jackson to add another MVP, he’d need to do ample work with his legs again.
3. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Brees is 41 years old and could very well finish the season as the all-time leader in passing yards. With the future Hall of Famer potentially playing his final year, Brees remains one of the top quarterbacks and has to be considered the sentimental favorite to finally win the award. Somehow, Brees, who has thrown for 5,000 yards in a season on five occasions, has never won the MVP. if he’s terrific once more in 2020, there’s a good chance that changes.
Read: Texans QB DeShaun Watson Determined To Win a Super Bowl
2. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
Wilson is widely regarded as the second-best quarterback in the game. He’s entering this season with the terrific combination of being in the prime of his career and being surrounded by top targets. Seattle offers Wilson the pairing of D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett on the perimeter, with tight end Greg Olsen working the middle. If Seattle throws the ball enough to allow Wilson a chance to showcase his talents, don’t be surprised if he wins his first MVP.
1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Who else? In 2018, Mahomes threw for 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns in his first season as a starter and took home MVP honors. Last year, Mahomes was on pace to challenge for the award again before missing the better part of three games with a dislocated kneecap. While he didn’t win MVP, Mahomes and the Chiefs won the Super Bowl. Now, with Mahomes healthy and Kansas City embarrassing loaded, Mahomes is the frontrunner to win the award for the second time in three years.
