There’s a fierce argument among many in NFL circles. Some say quarterback wins is a stat. Others lose their minds over the notion.
Both should be able to agree that what Jalen Hurts did Sunday against the Bills is special.
Hurts accounted for five total touchdowns in a wild 37–34 overtime victory over Buffalo, running the Eagles’ record to an NFL-best 10–1. All told, Hurts is in line to have a second consecutive All-Pro campaign, and maybe earn his first MVP award after finishing second last year.
But where do the main contenders rank after Week 12? Let’s dive in.
Rising
Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles
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Last week: Holding steady
Hurts deserves a ton of credit. At halftime, he hadn’t yet thrown for 50 yards but had an interception. By game’s end, the Eagles scored 37 points and Hurts had 200 passing yards, 65 rushing yards and five total touchdowns. With 29 touchdowns, Hurts leads the league.
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
Last week: Falling
After being let down repeatedly by his receivers against the Eagles, Mahomes and his pass catchers rebounded against the Raiders. The reigning MVP threw for 298 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 8.8 yards per attempt. Mahomes wasn’t incredible, but he was solid in an easy win.
Holding steady
C.J. Stroud, QB, Texans
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Last week: Holding steady
Stroud played well under consistent duress from the Jaguars on Sunday, throwing for 304 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. However, fair or not, the Texans losing hurts Stroud’s candidacy. Houston is now 6–5 and winning the AFC South is probably a long shot.
Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens
Last week: Rising
Jackson had a ho-hum effort in his first game with Mark Andrews now on injured reserve. Against the Chargers in a 20–10 win, Jackson was 18 of 32 for 177 yards and a touchdown while adding 39 yards rushing. It wasn’t a damaging performance, but on a night when he played a horrific defense in Los Angeles, he didn’t have a huge game, either.
Tyreek Hill, WR, Dolphins
Last week: Rising
It speaks to Hill’s dominance that a game of nine catches for 102 yards and a touchdown is an average day, but here we are. Through 11 games, Hill has 1,324 yards, putting him on pace for 2,046. If Hill cracks the 2,000-yard threshold, winning MVP is a real possibility.
Falling
Myles Garrett, DE, Browns
Last week: Rising
Garrett has been a force unlike any other defender this year, but he was largely shut out by the Broncos in Cleveland’s 29–12 loss. Garrett totaled only two tackles with a tackle for loss but couldn’t add to his sack total, which stands at 13.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins
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Tagovailoa’s case is getting tougher to make. Against the Jets, he threw a pick-six as part of a two-interception day while posting a QBR of 35.0. If someone from Miami is going to take home the award, Hill clearly has the best chance.
