It was an impressive week for NFL quarterback performances as the players on our MVP rankings played a bit of hot potato for the top 5 spots, but our No. 1 remained clear of the fray.
Patrick Mahomes called his own number to score a rushing touchdown to put the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs ahead of the San Francisco 49ers in a Super Bowl rematch last week.
Jared Goff threw two touchdowns and led four touchdown drives in a 31-29 win over the Minnesota Vikings to take the lead in the NFC.
Josh Allen also led four touchdown drives, with two touchdown passes, in a decisive win for the Buffalo Bills over the Tennessee Titans.
Here are the USA TODAY Sports’ MVP rankings after Week 7:
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7. Texans QB C.J. Stroud, stock down
Sorry, C.J. Sure, the Texans are second in the AFC. But you’re out of our Top 5 this week afterlast week’s loss at Green Bay. Stroud was 10 of 21 for 86 yards in the 24-22 loss to the Packers. So far, the Texans’ only losses have come against NFC North teams where Stroud has underperformed. These games, against the best division in football, will help Houston later in the season.
6. Vikings QB Sam Darnold, stock down
It was a valiant effort from Darnold in Minnesota’s 31-29 loss to the Detroit Lions, where he completed 22 of 27 passes for 259 yards, a touchdown and an interception, but he and the Vikings were unable to get the job done. Darnold still ranks high on our MVP rankings due to Minnesota’s 5-1 start, but his stock is down this week.
5. Bills QB Josh Allen, stock even
Allen rebounded from a slow start to throw two touchdowns and lead four touchdown drives in Buffalo’s 34-10 win over Tennessee last week. It was enough for a stock even rating in our MVP rankings this week, especially with Buffalo sitting at 5-2 atop the AFC East and fourth in the AFC playoff race.
Mahomes’ stats don’t scream MVP. He’s tied for the league-lead with eight interceptions, while Baker Mayfield has thrown 12 more touchdowns this season. But the Chiefs are the only remaining undefeated team in the NFL at 6-0. The best quarterback of our time gets the benefit of the stats in this argument, but his stock is still down a spot after Week 7.
3. Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, stock down
Daniels was unable to finish last week’s big win over the Carolina Panthers due to a rib injury, the only negative in his MVP case this week. Still, the rookie has led Washington on 19 of their 23 touchdown drives, which rank fourth highest in the NFL. He should continue contending for a Top 3 when he returns to the lineup.
2.Lions QB Jared Goff, stock up
Goff soars up our MVP rankings up to the No. 2 spot after Detroit’s 31-29 win over Minnesota last week. The Lions have scored more touchdowns (18) than Goff has had incompletions (15) in the last four weeks. He’s also the only player since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger to complete at least 80% of his passes and have a passer rating over 140 in a four-game stretch. He was under pressure on a season-high 51.7% of his dropbacks against the Vikings, and shined with 10-of-11 passing for 164 yards and two touchdowns. The Lions are the best team in the NFC thanks to Goff’s brilliance.
Jackson retains in the top spot in our MVP rankings for the second consecutive week, and it’s easy to see why. Jackson threw five touchdowns in his best performance of the season in a 41-31 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week. The Ravens are clicking on all cylinders after their 0-2 start, winning five in a row and trailing only the Chiefs in the AFC playoff picture. It took a couple weeks to figure out Derrick Henry’s place in the offense, but the Ravens are a bona fide Super Bowl contender this season. The MV3 chants, in hopes of Jackson’s third NFL MVP, will start soon if they haven’t already in Baltimore.
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