Eric Williams
NFL reporter
With star operating again Christian McCaffrey unavailable because of Achilles tendinitis, together with different Pro Bowl gamers like Deebo Samuel and George Kittle out and in of the lineup, Brock Purdy had to enhance his recreation to get the San Francisco 49ers again to the highest of the NFC West.
Purdy should be at his finest when the 49ers host the rested Chiefs in a Super Bowl rematch on Sunday after Kansas City had Week 6 off. Andy Reid is 21-4 after a bye: a profitable proportion of .840, the very best in NFL historical past in such video games.
But if there’s anybody who can overcome tough circumstances, it is Purdy. He is second within the league in passing yards (1,629) and yards per try (8.8). Purdy’s capability to evade strain and intestine defenses for first downs by operating the soccer has been on full show this season.
He has 127 speeding yards in six video games, together with 13 first downs. Last yr he ran for 144 yards all season. When there’s nothing accessible on the sphere within the passing recreation, Purdy has prolonged drives for San Francisco by discovering operating lanes.
An MVP finalist final season, Purdy’s odds improved from 20/1 to 14/1 this week. Patrick Mahomes stays the favourite to win the award, and the Chiefs stay one in all two undefeated groups within the league. But there isn’t any denying that Mahomes has had one in all his worst begins statistically in his NFL profession and, for that cause, falls off the highest 5 listing this week.
1. Lamar Jackson, Crows
Current MVP Odds: +550 (wager $10 to win $65 complete)
The reigning MVP was spectacular in final week’s heavyweight matchup towards Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. Jackson completed 20 of 26 for 323 yards and a landing. He additionally ran for 40 yards.
During Baltimore’s four-game profitable streak, Jackson accomplished 70 p.c of his passes for 1,009 yards, with eight touchdowns and one interception for a passer ranking of 124.6. The Ravens averaged 33.5 factors per recreation in that span.
How harmful are the Ravens after their 4-2 begin and Week 6 win?
2. Jayden Daniels, Commanders
Current MVP Odds: +1100 (wager $10 to win $120 complete)
The LSU product carried out effectively in an in depth loss to the Ravens final week, ending with 269 passing yards and two scores. Daniels nonetheless leads all rookie quarterbacks in passing yards (1,404), speeding yards (322) and passer ranking (107.1).
Daniels and the Commanders will host Carolina this week. The Panthers have struggled to defend the deep passing recreation (Carolina permits 7.8 passing yards per try, No. 31 within the NFL), so Sunday may present Daniels with a chance to pad his stats.
3. Josh Allen, Invoices
Current MVP Odds: +475 (wager $10 to win $57.50 complete)
The addition of Amari Cooper by way of commerce from the Cleveland Browns ought to assist take some strain off Allen to hold the offense, giving him an out of doors receiver who can constantly create separation on the perimeter.
Currently, the Bills are averaging simply 186.5 passing yards per recreation, No. 25 within the NFL. Buffalo hopes the 30-year-old Cooper nonetheless has some gasoline left within the tank and will help create extra explosive performs on the perimeter.
While the passing recreation has room for enchancment, Allen has performed a very good job of taking good care of the soccer, with no interceptions in six video games.
(RELATED: What it means to commerce Browns WR Amari Cooper for Josh Allen, Bills)
4. Brock Purdy, 49ers
Current MVP Odds: +1400 (wager $10 to win $150 complete)
Purdy not depends on move catchers like Samuel to show brief passes into explosive positive factors. According to Next Gen Stats, the third-year QB leads the NFL with 1,061 passing yards on passes with no less than 10 air yards. Purdy additionally leads the league with 23 passes of 20-plus yards.
AS Atletico underlines thisPurdy’s first three seasons within the league examine favorably to these of Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow, so maybe the Iowa State product is lastly beginning to bloom?
5. CJ Stroud, Texans
Current MVP Odds: +650 (wager $10 to win $75 complete)
Last yr’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honor has began to warmth up. Stroud was efficient in a straightforward win over the New England Patriots, passing for 192 yards and three touchdowns in Week 6.
Stroud is No. 6 within the NFL in passing yards (1,577) and is fifth within the league in passing touchdowns (10) whereas main the Texans to a 5-1 file.
Honorable Mention: Patrick Mahomes, Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, Derrick Henry, Jordan Love
Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for greater than a decade, overlaying the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN e Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him on Twitter at @eric_d_williams.
(Want nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, observe leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a personalised e-newsletter every day.)
Get extra from the National Football League Follow your favorites to get info on video games, information and extra
