By: Parnell Saint-Preux
It’s been 9 weeks since the season started, and so far it has been what most football fans imagined. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been taking the league by storm and the Chiefs are the number one team in the AFC. Mahomes leads the NFL with 29 touchdown passes, as well as leading the NFL in passing yards with 2,901. Mahomes continued his awesome play in a 37-21 victory against the Cleveland Browns. Mahomes finished the game throwing for 375 yards and 3 touchdown passes.
Over the past eight games, Mahomes has had eight consecutive games of over 300 yards passing. He now ties Andrew Luck with that current streak. Currently, Kansas City has the number one scoring offense and third in passing and total yards. Mahomes is on pace to throw for over 5,000 yards and more than 50 touchdown passes. Only quarterbacks who’ve thrown for 50 touchdowns and win league MVP are Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.
Although Mahomes is having a magnificent season, the same argument could be made for Drew Brees. Brees is completing 76.3% of his passes along with 18 touchdown passes and only 1 interception. Like Brady, Brees is planning to defeat father time at age 39. Amongst the quarterbacks of his generation, Brees was ranked behind Brady, Manning, and Aaron Rodgers. Throughout his career, Brees has broken numerous and remarkable records.
However, he’s never received the credit that most elite quarterbacks deserved. Brees has been considered an afterthought because of the quarterbacks he played against. Skeptics and critics will lament to his creative offensive genius and head coach Sean Payton, plus the fact he played in San Diego and New Orleans. Regardless of the circumstances, Brees has defied the odds that were against him.
Brees is more of the sentimental pick for MVP because of his underdog story. Brees is listed 6 feet tall and 209 lbs. In terms of size, Brees is not considered “prototypical.” Despite his size limitations, Brees has thrown for over 4,000 yards in the past 12 consecutive seasons. In addition, Brees has also thrown for over 5,000 yards 5 times in his career.
Brees validated his MVP argument last Sunday in 45-35 victory against the Los Angeles Rams. Coming into the game, Rams has one of the top 2 offenses in the NFL, as well being undefeated. brees threw for 346 yards and 4 touchdowns, including the 72-yard touchdown pass to Michael Thomas that sealed the Saints victory.
Of course, how can anyone forget last season’s runner-up for league MVP and reigning offensive player of the year Todd Gurley? Gurley is the leading rusher in the NFL with 868 yards while leading the NFL with 12 rushing touchdowns. Moreover, Gurley has 4 receiving touchdowns, proving he’s one of the versatile running backs in the league. Gurley is on track to dethrone Hall-of-Famer LaDainian Tomlinson’s 2006 record for most total touchdowns in a single season.
Even though Gurley is putting astronomical numbers, critics will point out that the NFL is a league predicated for the quarterback position. Presently, quarterbacks have more luxury than ever to complete 65-70% of their passes, also throwing more than 4,000 yards and 30 plus touchdowns. In 2007, New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss eclipsed Jerry Rice’s record for most receiving touchdowns in a season. However, that was the year when Brady threw for 50 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.
Therefore, in order for Gurley to win league MVP in a quarterback era, he has to either break Tomlinson’s record in 2006 or replicating Adrian Peterson’s record in 2012 by rushing for more than 2,000 yards.
Not only Gurley is in the conversation, but there’s also Jared Goff. Last year, Goff had an impressive season with head coach Sean McVay. Right now, Goff has 20 touchdowns passes and 6 interceptions. This season, his best game was the Rams 38-31 victory against the Minnesota Vikings. Goff threw for a career-high 465 yards, along with 5 touchdown passes, and a perfect passer rating of 158.3.
Maybe it’s time to give Goff more credit than he deserves. After his rookie season, most went as far as labeling Goff a bust. Suddenly, things changed for L.A. when previous head coach Jeff Fisher was fired, then adding McVay. Since McVay took over for the Rams, Goff has been perceived as a system’s quarterback. Obviously, Goff is surrounded with great talents like Gurley, Brandon Cooks, Cooper Cuff, and a defense led by All-Pro Aaron Donald. At some point, when is it time he will receive the gratitude and praise. After all, the Rams drafted Goff first overall in 2016. Rams believed that Goff was going to be their franchise quarterback. Up to this point, he’s fulfilling the obligations of a franchise quarterback.
Finally, there’s the G.O.A.T. Seeing that the Patriots started the season at 1-2, they have won 6 successive games. The most impressive game they had this season was 43-40 victory against Kansas City. Brady and Patriots handed the flaming Chiefs their first loss. Likewise, Brady is the reigning MVP and to most the face of the NFL. More importantly, it’s how he constantly playing at a high level, especially at his age.
Brady is completing 67% of his passes with 17 touchdown passes and 7 interceptions. Not too bad for a 41-year-old putting up those types of numbers. However, there will be some Brady jealousy/envy from people in the media and public. In spite of that, Brady is playing at a level he’s accustom to playing, and playing well.
If the season ended today, Mahomes would be the favorite to win the prestigious award. Yes, Brees is the sentimental pick, while Brady is the reigning MVP, who beat Mahomes and Gurley and Goff are teammates, and one plays the running back position. Nevertheless, Mahomes has better numbers and the better narrative. At age 23, Mahomes is now in the same category with Goff, Carson Wentz, and Deshaun Watson as the best young quarterbacks. Once again, he’s on pace to throw for over 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns. Keep in mind, Manning and Brady threw for 50 touchdowns in their 30’s. Some will nitpick and mention the stellar coaching from Reid and the extraordinary talents Mahomes possesses, including Travis Kelce, Tyreke Hill, Kareem Hunt, and Sammy Watkins. Ironically, this is the same offense that former quarterback Alex Smith operate. Presently, Mahomes has 3 more touchdown passes than Smith had last season. As well as accumulating wins and stats, Mahomes is with a terrible defense. The fact of the manner is Mahomes will be one of if not the face of the NFL for years to come. And currently, his time is now.
Mels Perspective 