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NFL MVP Power Rankings

By Michael Luciano

Where does Lamar Jackson stack up in the 2019 NFL MVP race?
Where does Lamar Jackson stack up in the 2019 NFL MVP race? / Michael Zagaris/Getty Images

The NFL MVP race is in rounding the final turn now that Week 14 of the NFL season is in the books, and this award is still up for grabs. Any one one of eight legitimate contenders still have a shot at football's ultimate individual prize. With only a few weeks left for these players to state their case, here's what the MVP race looks like as the 2019 season approaches the end.

8. Saints WR Michael Thomas

Thomas is putting up record-setting numbers in New Orleans
Thomas is putting up record-setting numbers in New Orleans / Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Marvin Harrison's 143 catches have remained a record since 2002, but Thomas is creeping up on that mark, as he has a league-best 121 catches with three games left. Even as Drew Brees went down due to injury, Thomas has remained a consistent source of 100-yard games and has helped keep the New Orleans offense at or near the top of most important categories. No wide receiver has ever won the MVP award, but Thomas might be the one to change all that.

7. Titans RB Derrick Henry

Henry has keyed the Titans' offensive explosion
Henry has keyed the Titans' offensive explosion / Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Shock of all shocks, a 6-3, 250-pound running back with speed is proving to be difficult to tackle. While Ryan Tannehill deserves bunches of credit for helping turn the Titans around, Henry, who is second in the league in rushing yards and tied for the lead in rushing touchdowns with 13, has been averaging 118 yards per game and has nine touchdowns in his last seven contests. With Nick Chubb and Christian McCaffrey sliding out of the playoff picture, Henry has the best chances of any running back.

6. 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo

Jimmy G has been on fire for Kyle Shanahan
Jimmy G has been on fire for Kyle Shanahan / Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

In the 49ers' thrilling 48-46 win over the New Orleans Saints, Garoppolo proved that he can win games against elite NFL teams on the road with his arm alone. Jimmy G threw for 349 yards and four touchdowns in the SuperDome against Dennis Allen's tough defense, lifting the 49ers back into the No. 1 seed out west in the process. With 3,245 yards and 25 touchdowns against just 11 interceptions, Garoppolo and 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan have San Francisco contending once again.

5. Vikings QB Kirk Cousins

Kirk Cousins is in the middle of the best season of his career
Kirk Cousins is in the middle of the best season of his career / Abbie Parr/Getty Images

Despite starting the year slowly and playing several key games without Adam Thielen, Cousins and offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski are in a zone, and Cousins' 112 passer rating is currently second across all of football behind Ryan Tannehill. With a 70% completion rate and 24 touchdowns against just four picks for a Vikings team on a crash course for a playoff berth, Cousins is finally starting to play like a $28 million quarterback.

4. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers and Matt Lafleur have the Packers back in contention
Rodgers and Matt Lafleur have the Packers back in contention / Dylan Buell/Getty Images

Freed from the shackles of Mike McCarthy's high school offense, Rodgers and Packers head coach Matt LaFleur have the Green Bay Packers back to contending for a championship. Rodgers has thrown 22 touchdown passes this season with a mere two interceptions. He's had some lackluster performances in primetime this year, but it's refreshing to see Rodgers having fun again as he catapults himself back into the MVP discussion.

3. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes

Mahomes has the Chiefs thinking Super Bowl, even after missing games with an injury
Mahomes has the Chiefs thinking Super Bowl, even after missing games with an injury / Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Mahomes might have missed some time in the middle of the season due to an injury, but his performance against the New England Patriots on the road reminded us of just how special a passer he is. Mahomes has 21 touchdown passes against just three interceptions, and might be the single most "valuable" player in the league given how drastically different the offense looked in his absence. Mahomes overcame injuries to lead the Chiefs to another division title.

2. Seahawks QB Russell Wilson

Wilson might have struggled against the Rams, but he's still having an amazing season
Wilson might have struggled against the Rams, but he's still having an amazing season / Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Wilson looked out of sorts in a Sunday Night blowout against the Rams, but that shouldn't erase what has been a fantastic season for the Seahawks. Wilson has 26 touchdown passes on the season to go along with only five interceptions, and has overcome a helter skelter defense and running game to lead Seattle to a 10-3 record and what should be a playoff spot. With an average roster around him, Wilson has done nothing but dominate in what is shaping up to be his finest season to date.

1. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson

Every week, Lamar makes us shake out heads in disbelief
Every week, Lamar makes us shake out heads in disbelief / Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images

With the Ravens continuing to roll as their quarterback just passed 1,000 yards RUSHING for the season, Jackson stands at the very top of the MVP totem pole at this point. Jackson is not only leading the league in passing touchdowns with 28, but his 1,017 yards and seven rushing touchdowns on the ground has transformed the Ravens from an interesting question mark to legit Super Bowl contender. At just 22, Jackson could be running away with the MVP award.