Back-to-back weeks now that I have four changes in the award races (with one player taking his spot back).
MVP: Lamar Jackson | QB | Ravens
Plain and simple, Jackson is playing like the best quarterback in football right now and there is no way around. In primetime games (five) this season he has thrown for 14 touchdowns and zero interceptions. He now only needs two more passing TDs to pass his total number of TDs from last season (29).
Rank Movement: +/-0
2. Josh Allen | QB | Bills +/-0
3. Saquon Barkley | RB | Eagles -NEW-
OPOY: Saquon Barkley | RB | Eagles
255 rushing yards. Barkley ran for 255 rushing yards against the Rams and broke the Eagles franchise record for rushing yards in a game. He has already passed his career high in rushing yards and we still have six games left in the season. I would argue only one other non-QB offensive player is dominating the way he has been.
Rank Movement: +2
2. Derrick Henry | RB | Ravens -1
3. Jahmyr Gibbs | RB | Lions -NEW-
DPOY: Myles Garrett | EDGE | Browns
Does this feel out of nowhere? Maybe but Garrett is coming off a massive three-sack game against the Steelers that has pushed him over the top for the DPOY race. One could make the argument for Joseph staying in this spot but he did not “pop” on the stat sheet this most recent week like Garrett did.
Rank Movement: -NEW-
2. Kerby Joseph | S | Lions -1
3. Trey Hendrickson | EDGE Bengals -1
OROY: Bo Nix | QB | Broncos
Another strong week by Nix gives him the push he needed to take this spot from Bowers. On top of that, he can also thank his defense for holding Bowers down for this week to give him the edge. Overall though Nix is playing at a very good level and things only seem to be getting better for him and the seven-win Broncos.
Rank Movement: +1
2. Brock Bowers | TE | Raiders -1
3. Caleb Williams | QB | Bears – NEW-
DROY: Jared Verse | EDGE | Rams
Just like that, Verse reclaims his number-one spot for the DROY race. Verse did the usual bullying of teams’ left tackles, and this time around, he bullied one of the better in the league in Eagles Jordan Mailata. He does need to keep up this high level of play though as a fellow rookie teammate of his is also in the running for the award and hot on his trail.
Rank Movement: +1
2. Braden Fiske | DE | Rams -NEW-
3. Quinyon Mitchell | CB | Eagles -2
