NFL MVP Race: Jonathan Taylor Makes His Case
Following an unprecedented performance in Sunday's Week 11 game against the Buffalo Bills, Jonathan Taylor has become a real contender for NFL MVP in 2021.
Tom Viera - November 21, 2021, 4:21 PM EST
4 minutesNFL MVP Race: Jonathan Taylor Makes His Case
Click Here For Full MVP Odds
Entering Week 11 Jonathan Taylor was 13th on the odds grid to win the NFL MVP in 2021. Every player ahead of him is a quarterback as it's rare that a player that is a non-quarterback can win the MVP in the NFL. Taylor though is making his case to be considered in 2021 for the NFL MVP award. He had a career day and an absolute eye-opening performance against the Buffalo Bills. What made this performance even more impressive was the fact that the Bills were among the top three NFL teams in every defensive category against the run.
In Week 11 Jonathan Taylor made his case for MVP as he rushed 32 times for 185 yards and 4 rushing touchdowns! He added a 23-yard receiving touchdown as well. He accounted for 5 total touchdowns in the game for the Colts. A 3-yard rush, a 23-yard catch, a 2-yard rush, a 10-yard rush, and he capped it all off with another 1-yard rushing score. He was by far the most valuable player on the field and he shared that field with one of the MVP favorites, Josh Allen.
He now has four games in which he scored multiple touchdowns. Taylor is in his second year as a pro. He is on pace for over 1800 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns. After a slow start to 2021, he has absolutely taken off. He now has scored in 8 straight weeks. In his 6 remaining games, he has three great matchups but after today he showed he is one of the few players in the NFL that is matchup proof. His next game is up against the number one defense against running backs for the second year in a row in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If Taylor torments them like he just did to the Bills it will be impossible for oddsmakers not to consider Taylor.
Current NFL MVP Odds
Player | Odds |
|---|---|
Tom Brady | +400 |
Dak Prescott | +700 |
Matthew Stafford | +900 |
Aaron Rodgers | +1200 |
Kyler Murray | +1600 |
Lamar Jackson | +1600 |
Patrick Mahomes | +1700 |
Josh Allen | +2000 |
Justin Herbert | +2500 |
Ryan Tannehill | +5000 |
Joe Burrow | +6600 |
Derek Carr | +10000 |
Jonathan Taylor | +15000 |
Click Here For Full MVP Odds
The last time a player that wasn't a quarterback won the NFL MVP award was back in 2012 when running back Adrian Peterson won. He finished that season with 2,097 rushing yards. Before Peterson, it was Ladanian Tomlinson in 2006 when he had 28 touchdowns and over 1800 rushing yards. Can Taylor be the first to do it since Peterson? It's unlikely but if he continues at this torrid pace he will be among the top contenders.
