The 2024 NFL season has unofficially reached its quarterfinals and the MVP picture is starting to take shape.
All teams have played four of 17 games, with bye weeks set to begin as the calendar turns to October.
The usual suspects are in the mix, but there have been several surprises in the first month – whether it’s Sam Darnold leading the Minnesota Vikings to a 4-0 start or Jayden Daniels leading a renaissance for the Commanders of Washington.
Here are the MVP Favorites during the first four weeks of the season:
NFL MVP favorites for 2024
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Statistics: 904 passing yards, 6 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 89.7 passer rating, 61 rushing yards
Breakdown: Just looking at the numbers, it’s surprising to see Mahomes at such a high level. But then again, he’s a two-time MVP winner and two-time reigning Super Bowl MVP. The Chiefs are 4-0 and he could realistically turn it on at any time.
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Statistics: 814 passing yards, 7 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 116.5 passer rating, 106 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns
Breakdown: Aside from a Week 4 hiccup, Allen has been dominant so far this season. He doesn’t quite have the yardage numbers yet, but he’s made up for that with his work on the field. Buffalo will be in the spotlight a lot this season, so don’t expect it to go away.
CJ Stroud, Houston Texans
Statistics: 1,054 passing yards, 6 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 98.4 passer rating, 41 rushing yards
Breakdown: The second-year star backs up his Offensive Rookie of the Year season with another solid campaign. Stroud has the Texans at 3-1 and, once again, doesn’t make many mistakes. Next week’s game against Allen and the Bills could significantly help or hurt his case.
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Statistics: 858 passing yards, 5 touchdowns, 1 interception, 102.3 passer rating, 308 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns
Breakdown: Last year’s MVP is having another good season. Jackson and the Ravens lost their first two games, but got back to .500 after a blowout win against Allen’s Bills. The league’s best dual-threat QB is still making things happen with his legs in his seventh season.
Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
Statistics: 932 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 118.9 passer rating, 50 rushing yards
Breakdown: The Vikings coaching staff has put Darnold in a position to succeed, but he does it on the field. The former first-rounder, on his fourth team in five years, is playing the best ball of his career. He has three more touchdowns than any other quarterback.
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
Statistics: 897 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception, 107.4 passer rating, 218 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns
Breakdown: Daniels quickly became an NFL star after being drafted second overall in April. The former Heisman Trophy winner led the Commanders to a 3-1 record, doing so as a passer and runner. Jim Brown is the only player to win the MVP award as a rookie in 1957, so it’s still an uphill battle for Daniels to achieve it.
