The NFL regular season is on, and so too is the MVP race. Too early to start gauging MVP chances, you say? Shut up. Uncool to tell your readers to shut up? Maybe, but we’re in a cheeky mode and this post is inevitably going to be dripping with sarcasm anyway.
The MVP race through, um, one week…
1. Marcus Mariota, Titans — Before you start freakin’ out, consider that Matt Ryan was our MVP after Week 1 last season. The season is only 6.3 percent complete, but you can’t deny a quarterback who posts a perfect passer rating and throws four touchdown passes in a blowout victory.
2. Tom Brady, Patriots — The leading candidate who has a legitimate chance was close to perfect in a redeeming victory Thursday night against Pittsburgh. He and Mariota are neck and neck, but Brady should jump ahead in Week 2.
3. Aaron Rodgers, Packers — Three touchdowns, zero picks and a 78.3 completion percentage in a surgical offensive performance against the Bears has Rodgers in a tremendous position to make a run at his third MVP.
4. Tyrod Taylor, Bills — His numbers weren’t big enough, but he looked like a potentially elite quarterback in an astonishing victory over the heavyweight Colts.
5. Tony Romo, Cowboys — Two interceptions hold him back, but that incredible final drive without Dez Bryant has to make Romo a top-five candidate entering Week 2.
6. Carlos Hyde, 49ers — He looked like a young Adrian Peterson with Peterson watching from the opposite sideline Monday night, carrying San Francisco with 168 yards and two touchdowns.
7. Aaron Donald, Rams — Donald and J.J. Watt of the Texans were both off the charts Sunday, but Donald helped his team win. Watt did not.
8. Keenan Allen, Chargers — I guess you’ve gotta give love to a guy who’s on pace to shatter the single-season record for receiving yards.
9. Carson Palmer, Cardinals — Three touchdowns, no interceptions and a 122.8 passer rating in a season-opening victory over the Saints.
10. Andy Dalton, Bengals — Two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 115.9 passer rating in a season-opening victory over the Raiders.
