NFL Week 12 MVP Stock Watch: The Case for a Defensive Player to Win the Award

A host of contenders remain, including three AFC quarterbacks and Philly’s Jalen Hurts. But there’s also a defensive end who’s keeping his team in the playoff picture.

Unfortunately, we saw a candidate drop permanently from the list in 2023.

On Thursday night, Joe Burrow threw a touchdown pass before immediately clutching his right wrist. After trying to throw and failing, Burrow was declared out. One day later, the worst news possible. Out for the season.

With Burrow sidelined until 2024, the Bengals are toast. As for the MVP race, a host of contenders remain, including three AFC quarterbacks and Philly’s Jalen Hurts, who continues to show why he’s the NFC’s best. And we added a defensive player who has dominated on one of the best defenses in the league.

But who rose and fell this past week as we head for Thanksgiving? Let’s take a look.

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Rising

Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens

Last week: Holding steady

Jackson wasn’t phenomenal Thursday night against the Bengals, but he did enough to raise his stock. The 2019 MVP threw for 264 yards while running for another 50, and scoring two touchdowns. In a year where nobody is running away with the MVP, Jackson is going to be in the mix until the end.

Tyreek Hill, WR, Dolphins

Last week: Rising

Hill had another enormous Sunday, putting him closer to becoming the first receiver in NFL history to eclipse 2,000 yards in a season. Against the Raiders, he had 10 catches for 146 yards and a touchdown, helping the Dolphins to a 20–13 win.

Myles Garrett, DE, Browns

Garrett leads the NFL in sacks with 13 :: Ken Blaze/USA TODAY Sports

Last week: N/A

The Browns defensive tackle is the leading candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. But he also has quietly made a case to become the third defensive player in NFL history to win league MVP (Vikings DT Alan Page won the award in 1971; Giants LB Lawrence Taylor won it in 1986). Garrett leads the league with 13 sacks and has single-handedly taken over games, including Cleveland’s win over Indianapolis. If he continues to dominate and the Browns make the playoffs, he will be in the MVP conversation over the remaining seven weeks of the regular season.

Holding steady

C.J. Stroud, QB, Texans

Last Week: Rising

Stroud had an uneven day against the Cardinals, but it resulted in a Texans’ win. The rookie quarterback threw for 336 yards on 9.1 yards per attempt and two touchdowns, but also tossed three interceptions. If Houston is going to continue ascending in the AFC playoff picture, Stroud must keep his turnovers to a minimum, as he did all year before Sunday.

Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins

Last Week: Falling

Tagovailoa came out of Miami’s bye week and had a middling game against the Raiders. While he did throw for 325 yards on 8.3 YPA with two touchdowns, he also lost a fumble and threw an ugly interception. Tagovailoa isn’t the favorite for MVP honors, but he still has to be considered a candidate. Also, the Dolphins play the Jets, Commanders, Titans and Jets over the next four weeks, so he could have a huge month ahead.

Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles

Last Week: Holding steady

The Eagles won in Kansas City, but it’s tough to say Hurts is rising after that showing. He was constantly under duress, but ultimately threw for 150 yards with an interception. Still, Hurts did run for two scores and made what amounted to a game-winning throw to DeVonta Smith in the fourth quarter, hooking up for 41 yards. It wasn’t a great performance, but it was enough.

Falling

Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs

Mahomes has fallen victim to a bunch of dropped passes and the offense struggling to score points in the second half of games :: Denny Medley/USA TODAY Sports

Last Week: Holding steady

Mahomes is dropping just like his receivers. The Chiefs amassed a meager 177 passing yards on 4.1 yards per attempt on Monday night in a loss to Philadelphia. While Mahomes can’t be blamed for Kansas City’s league-leading drop problem, he’s also missing on deep shots and threw a hideous interception in the end zone, short-circuiting a key drive in the first half.