Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield is the MVP frontrunner after clutch performance vs. 49ers

Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield is the MVP frontrunner after clutch performance vs. 49ers
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It’s time to start giving Baker Mayfield his due. There is no player more deserving of the NFL’s MVP award right now that the Buccaneers quarterback.

Usually, a quarterback who is on his fourth team in the league is not good for anything other than holding a clipboard, pounding his teammates on the shoulder pads and shouting “Attaboy.”

But Mayfield has persevered through adversity and has found a home in Tampa Bay. He has a coach in Todd Bowles who appreciates both his talent and leadership. Mayfield put on a brilliant display against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6 and his team is in first place in the NFC South with a 5-1 record.

He was razor sharp in that game, completing 17 of 23 passes for 256 yards with 2 touchdowns while avoiding any interceptions. He also showed off his leadership and guts on a third-and-14 late in the third quarter. Mayfield avoided a sure sack after he had given ground and was deep in the pocket. He sped out of harm’s way, faked out a would-be tackler and made a dive for the first down. He finished the play by extending his arm to earn the first down.

Mayfield has been a great fit for the Bucs. They have made it to the playoffs in both of his seasons as the team’s QB1. He led the Bucs to a playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles after the 2023 season.

This year there may be no stopping Mayfield as he pursues both excellence and a championship for his team. The numbers have been brilliant to this point. He has completed 129 of 195 passes for 1,539 yards with 12 touchdowns and just 1 interception. He has a passer rating of 108.5 and he has also rushed for 158 yards on 22 carries.

Mayfield is competing with familiar QB names

It will not be easy for Mayfield to win the MVP Award even though his season has gotten off to a brilliant start. He is going to have to beat out both Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills.

The Chiefs are coming off an impressive win over the Detroit Lions in Sunday night football, but all that victory did was even their record at 3-3. Mahomes has been widely acknowledged to be the best quarterback in the NFL throughout the majority of his career with the Chiefs, but the 2023 and 2024 seasons saw a downturn in his individual production.

The Chiefs are showing a few signs of an improved offense this season, but the team’s overall play has been inconsistent. Mahomes has completed 138 of 213 passes for 1,514 yard with 11 TDs and 2 interceptions. His 99.0 passer rating is good but not great.

Nevertheless, Mahomes is listed as the second favorite to win the MVP with odds of +225. He is coming off a 3-TD, 0-interception performance in the win over the Lions.

Allen is listed as...