Every game counts in the race for the NFL Most Valuable Player award.
Unlike the NBA, MLB, or NHL with a long regular season, there are only 17 games wherein MVP candidates can prove their worth for the game’s highest individual honor.
Likewise, one bad performance can bring a top candidate a few spots down the rankings.
Therefore, MVP awardees must remain consistent throughout the season to build a strong case.
For example, last season’s race wherein Aaron Rodgers cemented the award when Patrick Mahomes had a down game.
That said, here are the frontrunners for MVP two weeks into the 2021 NFL season.
Unstoppable is the best word to describe these three individuals leading the way for their respective teams.
3. Christian McCaffrey
Unfortunately, Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey might miss some games after suffering a hamstring injury during Thursday Night Football against the Houston Texans.
Having him sidelined will be a monumental loss for Carolina because he is everywhere on offense.
He is second behind Derrick Henry with 201 rushing yards to go with a touchdown.
75% of our anytime touchdown scorer bets are on Christian McCaffrey (-250) tonight 😅pic.twitter.com/8uyL4bInYf
— PointsBet Sportsbook (@PointsBetUSA) September 23, 2021
Meanwhile, McCaffrey is also in the top 20 in terms of receiving yards with 163.
He had 98 rushing and 89 receiving yards against the New York Jets.
A week later, he finished with 72 rushing and 65 receiving yards versus the New Orleans Saints.
His versatility also helped Sam Darnold put up solid numbers that has the Panthers undefeated after three games.
2. Tom Brady
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” might not be a fictional story because Tom Brady is living it out.
He seems to be aging backward because he is having a solid start to his 22nd NFL season.
The seven-time Super Bowl winner has nine touchdown passes in two games.
Is he aging in reverse? ⌛️ #HaveADay @TomBrady | #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/rOweVUlHxJ
— NFL (@NFL) September 20, 2021
He had 379 passing yards against the Cowboys in Week 1 and 279 versus the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2.
More importantly, he is the commander of the highest-scoring NFL offense as of present at 39.5 points per game.
Brady will be facing a stiff challenge in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Rams.
1. Kyler Murray
The Arizona Cardinals are legit contenders for several reasons.
First, their defense with Chandler Jones and J.J. Watt is lights out.
Second, their receivers are having a track meet every week against their defenders.
Third, Kyler Murray has had a phenomenal start in 2021.
He must be doing more of that Baby Yoda pose because his on-field focus is remarkable.
.@K1 hit the Baby Yoda celly yesterday without even realizing 😅 pic.twitter.com/8917AFVVkF
— ESPN (@espn) September 20, 2021
Murray has seven passing and two rushing touchdowns to his credit.
He also has 689 passing yards, 400 of which came against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2.
His 73.5 completion percentage ranks eighth among quarterbacks.
Likewise, he ranks fifth in passer rating at 121.5 and fourth in quarterback rating at 71.
Murray is averaging 10 yards per completion and 5.1 yards per carry.
Kyler Murray is just absurd
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/sipDptv70X
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 19, 2021
His efforts helped the Cardinals become the third-best passing team at 325.5 yards per game.
Arizona ranks second in total yards at 445 per game and points per game with a 36.0 average.
Murray and the Cardinals will try to extend their winning streak against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3.
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