That Was A Passing Clinic

The Minnesota Vikings could not be stopped during their latest home game against the Atlanta Falcons. QB Sam Darnold threw for 347 yards and 5 touchdown passes. Wide Receivers Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson were the beneficiaries of Darnold’s passing clinic with each of them getting over 130 yards receiving. For some reason the Falcons forgot how to play defense and QB Kirk Cousins had another awful game for them. The Vikings are continuing to prove any and all of their doubters wrong as they improve their record to 11-2. They will be on a collision course with the Detroit Lions to finish the season as the division champion of the NFC North and possibly home field advantage in the playoffs.

Running Backs Are Making A Comeback

I grew up in an era where the running back was the focal point of most offenses. Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis just to name a few of the prominent names I watched. The era transitioned to the likes of LaDainian Tomlinson, Marshall Faulk and Curtis Martin. The last one that could have been another great all-around running back was Le’Veon Bell when he was playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Derrick Henry doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon, but the season that Saquon Barkley is having right now is proof that the position isn’t dead yet. Barkley has now put himself in the conversation for the MVP award. The last running back to win the MVP award was Adrian Peterson in 2012 when he ran for over 2,000 yards. Barkley is on pace to eclipse that mark this season, but that record will certainly be diminished if it is accomplished in 17 games as opposed to 16 or 14. Even so, the Eagles would not be on a current 9-game winning streak without the likes of Saquon Barkley and that’s why he’s in the conversation for MVP.

A Strong Case For MVP

Speaking of another MVP candidate, the Buffalo Bills have one in their quarterback Josh Allen. This past week against the Los Angeles Rams he threw for 342 yards and 3 touchdowns. He wasn’t done there as he also ran for 3 touchdowns with 82 yards rushing. He currently has 3,033 yards passing with 23 touchdowns to only 5 interceptions. He’s rushed for 416 yards and 9 touchdowns as well. He’s always been considered a candidate for the MVP award, but this season he has been putting himself more into the forefront with how successful the team has been. Having already clinched their division, he has taken care of the ball better now than in previous MVP caliber seasons. There are a host of other contenders with Barkley mentioned previously and Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson and RB Derrick Henry. The latter though have been struggling lately and while there is still time to re-enter the conversation, Josh Allen is becoming a sure thing with each passing week.