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Saquon Barkley has emerged as the standout player in the NFL, comparable to the exceptional talents of Shohei Ohtani in baseball.
Currently, no other player showcases such explosive talent on the field. During the Philadelphia Eagles’ 37-20 win against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night, Barkley executed remarkable touchdown runs of 72 and 70 yards. With this performance, he has now recorded five runs exceeding 50 yards this season and is on track to surpass Eric Dickerson’s long-standing single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards, set back in 1984.
His historic 255-yard performance against the Rams not only set a team record but also captivated fans nationwide, elevating his status as a contender for the AP NFL MVP award.
However, he is not currently the frontrunner in betting circles. Josh Allen holds the top odds at plus-150, with two-time MVP Lamar Jackson following closely at plus-250, and Barkley third at plus-400.
Throughout NFL history, running backs have claimed the MVP award 18 times. This includes legendary players like Jim Brown, the AP’s first NFL MVP in 1957, while quarterbacks have enjoyed dominant success with 45 wins. Only three individuals not playing as quarterbacks or running backs have secured the MVP title.
Winning the MVP award typically requires a standout season from a non-quarterback, primarily because the quarterback is integral to the offensive scheme. Quarterbacks touch the ball on every play, guiding the offense and garnering praise during successes while facing criticism during struggles.
The most recent non-QB winner was Adrian Peterson, who amassed 2,097 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns with the Minnesota Vikings in 2012.
Moreover, the success of the team significantly influences MVP candidacy. In the past 11 seasons, nine out of the last 11 MVP recipients played for teams securing a No. 1 seed, while the two other winners were from No. 2 seeds. Peterson played for a sixth-seeded team when he earned his MVP honors.
Barkley’s contributions are pivotal to the Eagles’ position as they lead the NFC East with a record of 9-2, trailing only the Detroit Lions (10-1) for the conference lead.
Does Barkley realistically stand a chance to clinch the MVP title? Precedent exists with kickers, as Mark Moseley was named MVP during the strike-shortened 1982 season after impressively converting 20 of 21 field goals and 16 of 19 extra points in just nine games while playing for Washington.
The possibility of recognizing impactful players extends beyond quarterbacks, as defensive tackle Alan Page earned the MVP award in 1971, and linebacker Lawrence Taylor was awarded in 1986.
In recent years, running back Christian McCaffrey secured third place in MVP voting last season, while wide receiver Justin Jefferson achieved fifth place in the voting for 2022.
The league recognizes the finest players through awards such as the Offensive Player of the Year (OPOY) and Defensive Player of the Year, which allow voters the chance to honor non-quarterbacks.
Over the last 11 seasons, running backs and wide receivers have won the AP OPOY award seven times, with McCaffrey winning in 2023.
A revamped voting format introduced in 2022 has further opened the door for non-QBs to gain MVP consideration. Voters now submit their top five choices for the award, utilizing a weighted points system, as opposed to the previous method of making a singular selection.
A nationwide panel of 50 journalists who regularly cover the NFL votes for the MVP and seven other key awards based on regular-season performance.
In terms of clinching playoff spots, the Kansas City Chiefs (10-1) and the Buffalo Bills (9-2) are poised to secure their postseason placements shortly after Thanksgiving. Kansas City can clinch a playoff spot with a win over Las Vegas on Black Friday, paired with a loss by Miami on Thursday night, or with a win coupled with a loss by Denver on Monday night.
The Bills can capture their fifth consecutive AFC East title with a victory against San Francisco on Sunday, along with a loss from the Dolphins.
In Dallas, the outlook for head coach Mike McCarthy appears uncertain, as team owner Jerry Jones suggested on local radio that McCarthy might receive a contract extension.
“It’s certainly not out of the question. This is a coach with Super Bowl experience. Mike McCarthy has achieved a lot, and there’s still much football ahead,” Jones said.
Despite leading the Cowboys (4-7) to three successive seasons with 12 wins, McCarthy’s playoff record stands at 1-3, and the team has not reached the NFC championship game in nearly 30 years, last winning the Super Bowl nearly two decades ago.
Injuries have played a significant role in the team’s challenges this season, particularly with quarterback Dak Prescott sidelined for the remainder of the year after a tough start, leaving them at 3-5.
Following an upset victory over Washington, the Cowboys have upcoming games against teams currently posting losing records. If Dallas manages to finish the season with a record of 9-8 or even 8-9, it could lend support to Jones’s argument in favor of retaining McCarthy as head coach.