NFL MVP tracker: Eagles' Carson Wentz the unanimous choice at season's midpoint
From Week 1 through Week 17, Paste BN Sports' NFL staff will be handicapping the race for league MVP. A first-place vote is worth five points, a second-place vote is worth three, and a third-place vote is worth one.
Our MVP tracker after Week 9's games:
1. QB Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles (30 points): Philly's super soph took over the top spot two weeks ago, and now he is our panel's unanimous selection after hanging four of his league-best 23 TD passes on what was the Denver Broncos' No. 1-ranked defense. And when it comes to the most important metric — wins — no quarterback has bagged more this year than Wentz's eight. Last week: 1
2. QB Tom Brady, New England Patriots (12 points): He's doubtless worried about a fifth Super Bowl MVP award far more than winning the seasonal hardware for the third time in his 18-year career. But after stumbling out of the gate in Week 1, Brady's assumed the league lead with 2,541 yards through the air and is near the top of every major passing category. This week, he'll aim to keep pace with Wentz by trying to glide through the same No Fly Zone Denver defense the Eagles star toyed with. Last week: 3
More: Paste BN Sports' midseason NFL predictions for Super Bowl LII, MVP and more
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More: How far do Texans tumble in power rankings?
3. QB Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs (6 points): A third loss in four games continues to depress his stock after he spent the first six weeks atop the poll. But not to fear: A favorable second-half schedule could get Smith, still the league's most efficient passer with a 113.9 rating, back ahead of the curve. Last week: 2
4. RB Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams (4 points): Time to give some love to the best player on the NFL's highest-scoring offense. Gurley's 10 total TDs top the charts, and if he adds 108 yards from scrimmage to his current total (1,024) Sunday, he'll overtake idle Kareem Hunt for the league lead in that department. Last week: Unranked
Also receiving votes: Le'Veon Bell (1 point), Drew Brees (1)
— Week 8 MVP rankings (Carson Wentz)
— Week 7 MVP rankings (Carson Wentz)
— Week 6 MVP rankings (Alex Smith)
— Week 5 MVP rankings (Alex Smith)
— Week 4 MVP rankings (Alex Smith)
— Week 3 MVP rankings (Alex Smith)
— Week 2 MVP rankings (Alex Smith)
— Week 1 MVP rankings (Alex Smith)
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Follow Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis
PHOTOS: NFL power rankings heading into Week 10