NFL Top 10 & Team MVP after Week 3
The NFL season is officially underway and it is safe to say that a clear top ten teams have emerged, along with the individual(s) responsible for their success. Through the first three weeks of the season, these are my top ten teams and their subsequent Most Valuable Players (MVPs).
- Kansas City Chiefs (3-0) MVP: NFL referees
NFL rules state that teams can have 11 players on a field at once, but luckily, the Chiefs get 18 if you include the guys in stripes. While Kansas City has been dominant, they have gotten an array of generous late-game pass interference which have resuscitated their chances in tight situations.
- Buffalo Bills (2-0 playing on Monday Night Football) MVP: Josh Allen and James Cook
Even after losing Stefon Diggs, the Bills offense has not lost a step. The offense looks explosive, and Josh Allen is making Superman plays all over the field. This Bills team looks like it could go all the way to the AFC championship game and lose in heartbreaking fashion to the Chiefs.
- Minnesota Vikings (3-0) MVP: Sam Darnold remembering how to play football
After losing their first round draft pick and future quarterback J.J. McCarthy to a season ending injury, Vikings fans are surprisingly happy. Sam Darnold has reinvented himself on the Vikings. He is making throws that Jets fans could only dream of. Fun fact, Darnold is the same age as Joe Burrow. The Vikings may have found a diamond in the rough.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0) MVP: T.J. Watt. He would win in a fight against a grizzly bear.
While quarterback Russell Wilson has been out, Justin Fields has kept Pittsburgh alive, leading the offense to an astounding 17 points per game thus far. Way to go, Justin! But really it has been the Stealers’ defense keeping them alive. The defense, led by linebacker T.J. Watt has allowed less than 10 points and 300 yards in each of the team’s first three games—just the eighth team to do this since 1970.
- Detroit Lions (2-1) MVP: Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson
The combination of Dan Campbell and Ben Johnson has resulted in the Detroit Lions playing physical football with an innovative offense. The Lions are fun to watch with playmakers on both sides of the ball.
- Houston Texans (2-1) MVP: Their schedule
The Texans enjoyed a relatively easy two weeks of the season, beating the Colts and the Bears. However, on Sunday, they were stomped on by Sam Darnold, and the Vikings’ C.J. Stroud may be going through a sophomore slump as he improves his connection with new receiver Stefon Diggs. This team is very talented and will figure things out. Fans should remain optimistic.
- Baltimore Ravens (1-2) MVP: Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry
Possibly the scariest thunder and lightning running attack in history, the Ravens are looking to dominate the trenches this year. The Ravens have had a bumpy start to the season, but they will be just fine.
- Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) MVP: Not Jalen Hurts. He is not elite.
The Eagles had an abysmal second half of last season, and fans were hoping for a fast start this year to wash away the bad memories. The Eagles are winning ugly games. They beat the Packers in Week 1 in Brazil and held the scorching hot Saints offense to 12 points on Sunday, but something is off so far.
- San Francisco 49ers (1-2) MVP: The team doctor looking after Christian McCafrey
Last year’s super bowl runner up has had a rough start to the season with running back Christian McCaffrey, 2023 Offensive Player of the Year, sidelined for the first three games of the season with calf and achilles issues. Injuries have consistently plagued San Francisco who ranked 22nd with a B- grade on the 2024 NFL Players Association grade card.
- Green Bay Packers (2-1) MVP: Head Coach Matt Lefleur. Also, the team doctor looking after Jordan Love
Jordan Love going down in Week 1 was not what Packers fans had in mind for this 2024 season, but backup quarterback Malik Willis has stopped the bleeding. Leaning on their defense and playing two terrible teams, Willis has helped the Packers to a 2-1 start.
The National Football League season is 18 weeks long with plenty of football left to be played. As injuries curse teams and breakout stars emerge I look forward to shuffling around my top ten. If you do not see your team ranked or think a rival’s squad is too high, take a breath and relax, because we have over four more months of NFL football.