Patrick Mahomes Is Gaining Momentum for MVP

Overtime Heroics Editorial

1059 days ago

As the second half of the NFL season starts, the debate over the MVP race will start to kick into high gear. The 2018 MVP, Patrick Mahomes, has continued to improve each week during the 2020 season. The Chiefs are off to a 7-1 start, and look like they will yet again run the AFC West.

However, several names will be debated for the most valuable player award. For example, Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson is off to an incredible start. In addition, Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers has led the Pack to have one of the top offenses in the NFL.

Mahomes’ name should be thrown into the MVP conversation. After last week’s performance against the New York Jets, Mahomes is gaining significant momentum in the 2020 MVP race.

The Resume

Through the first 8 games of the season, Mahomes has a higher completion percentage, fewer interceptions, more rushing yards, and just as many rushing touchdowns as his MVP year of 2018. Mahomes currently is on pace for 42 touchdown passes, with only 2 interceptions.

Currently, Mahomes sits with 21 passing touchdowns and 1 interception as we sit 8 games in. Through his first 8 games of the 2018 season, he threw for 26 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.

Compared to his 2018 season, Mahomes has a similiar passer rating this season as well. With this, Mahomes is just padding his resume as each game goes by.

Have we normalized Patrick Mahomes? Because I didn't even twitch when he made this throw and it's borderline witchcraft. pic.twitter.com/9jFtPA5p2R

— Seth Keysor (@RealMNchiefsfan) October 29, 2020

Place Among League-Leaders

While Mahomes continues to power the Kansas City offense throughout the 2020 regular season, he accomplished another first in NFL history. Patrick Mahomes is the first quarterback ever to throw 20-plus touchdown passes and one or zero interceptions in the first 8 games of a season.

After last week’s dominant performance against the Jets, Mahomes solidified he is a true MVP contender. Against the Jets, Mahomes went 31-of-42 passing for 416 yards. Along with that, he threw 5 touchdowns, which is a season-high.

In many passing statistical categories, Mahomes is near the top. He is currently sitting 4th in pass attempts, 2nd in passing yards, and 6th in yards per game. Also, he is 2nd in touchdown passes, just behind Russell Wilson obviously.

In QBR, Mahomes is ranked 1st in the NFL through 8 weeks with an 85.4 QBR. These are just a few stats that Mahomes is just as good in as he was in 2018.

Conclusion

With guys like Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, and Tom Brady having notable strong starts to the 2020 season, Patrick Mahomes did not surge right out of the gate in Week 1 like they did. However, after the last month, Mahomes is currently putting some pressure on the rest of the league. The Chiefs seem to be one of the top offenses in the league yet again, which will help Mahomes throughout the second half of the year. With receivers like Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman, and Travis Kelce, Mahomes may be in line to have a big second half of the season.