As the season goes on, the rankings will be more concise as the MVP race narrows down to only a handful of players. But for starters, we'll be going with the top 10 candidates after Week 1!
1. Josh Allen (QB) - Buffalo Bills
The AFC Offensive Player of the Week led the NFL with 394 passing yards, put up four total touchdowns with zero turnovers, and led the Bills to a historic comeback victory over the loaded Baltimore Ravens in Week 1.
The reigning MVP showed everyone he's more than capable of reclaiming the award and possibly more this season. I think this one is a no-brainer.
2. Derrick Henry (RB) - Baltimore Ravens
Henry was 31 yards away from putting up 200 in his first game of the season, while also scoring a pair of touchdowns, averaging almost 10 yards per carry on 18 attempts - simply bonkers.
He was the runner-up to Eagles running back Saquon Barkley as the leading rusher last season, but he's kicking off the year as an MVP candidate. He deserves a spot on here even if it's only for Week 1.
3. Justin Herbert (QB) - Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert looked unreal, leading his team to a win over the reigning AFC champions. Going 9-for-9 passing with 91 yards, a touchdown, a perfect 145.8 passer rating, and a game-clinching scramble on third and long during the final drive that sealed the deal is peak quarterback performance.
Finishing the game with 350 total yards, three touchdowns, no turnovers, and a win definitely places Herbert in the top three MVP candidates to kick off the year.
4. Lamar Jackson (QB) - Baltimore Ravens
Lamar posted 279 total yards, three touchdowns, and no turnovers in a heartbreaking loss to the Bills. And while all the focus may have been on Allen and the Bills following the game, rightfully so, Jackson had both the best passer rating (144.0) and QBR (94.0) out of every quarterback in Week 1.
His efficiency is in a league of its own and we all know that Jackson will be serving up better stats as each week goes by. He'd undoubtedly be higher if Baltimore got the win, but not converting crucial plays down the stretch still slightly falls on him as the QB, placing him below Herbert and Allen.
5. Travis Etienne Jr. (RB) - Jacksonville Jaguars
Etienne deserves his praise after a standout performance in Week 1. He posted a total of 142 rushing yards on 16 attempts, averaging 8.9 yards per carry - second to Henry's 9.4.
Even if we took away his 71-yard run, he would still have 71 total rushing yards, which would have him tied for fourth-most alongside Jonathan Taylor. He performed so well that the team traded running back Tank Bigsby soon after, ensuring that Etienne is the runaway No. 1 back in Jacksonville and a very-early MVP candidate.
6. Zay Flowers (WR) - Baltimore Ravens
The NFL's leading receiver coming out of Week 1 should undoubtedly be on this list. Flowers posted a career-high and NFL Week 1 best 143 yards on seven receptions, adding a touchdown to the mix as well.
It took Flowers five weeks to surpass the 100-yard mark in a game last season. This time? Flowers wasted no time at all proving he's one of the premier wide receiver threats to start the new year.
7. Geno Smith (QB) - Las Vegas Raiders
Definitely flying under the radar because it was against the New England Patriots, but Smith deserves his flowers. He completed 70% of his passes (24-34) and finished Week 1 third in passing yards (362).
He did toss a touchdown but also threw a pick, which keeps him below Allen, Herbert, and Jackson to start the year. However, it's one heck of a promising start to the season for the veteran quarterback.
8. Puka Nacua (WR) - Los Angeles Rams
Nacua heads into the new week second in receiving yards (130) and tied for first in receptions (10). How could he not be on here? The young star for the Rams had five 100-yard games last season and, for fun, he's on pace for 2,210 yards this season if he continues to replicate his Week 1 performance.
But no receiver in NFL history has ever posted at least 100 yards in every regular-season game. Suppose Nacua managed to do that, then he's undoubtedly the MVP. For now, eighth place seems right.
9. Breece Hall (RB) - New York Jets
Breece Hall looks like he's back to prime form after rolling out the third-most rushing yards (107) in Week 1 on 19 attempts - tied for third-most.
The four-year back failed to see the endzone, keeping him a little further down on this list, but it's his first 100-yard game since October 14th of last season.
10. Harold Landry III (LB) - New England Patriots
Some could argue that Landry being 10th on this list is a joke, and I can see why. He leads the league with 2.5 sacks after a stellar game for the Pats.
Landry also posted five pressures and three run stuffs in his Pats debut in Week 1, giving him arguably the best week of any defender on any team. But if he replicates another performance like this one, he will undoubtedly shoot up the list quicker than the Ravens can blow a second-half lead.