Eric Williams
NFL Reporter
Kyler Murray is playing like an MVP candidate in leading the Arizona Cardinals to first place in the NFC West, showing that coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monty Ossenfort were right to stick with the No. 1 overall pick rather than look for a new player. QB.
Murray can play at an elite level, and the Cardinals would have a hard time finding someone of similar ability through the draft, free agency, or trade.
“I felt he was a premium player, and I felt in my heart that if we got the right people in place and coached him in the right way, he could take his game to the next level.” Gannon said. “(And) I don’t think he’s reached his limit yet.”
Now in his sixth season, the Oklahoma player has finally matured and shown command of the Arizona offense. Murray has been playing particularly well over the past month. During Arizona’s four-game winning streak, he completed 70.8% of his passes for 872 yards, four touchdowns and one interception, posting a passer rating of 104.0.
In Sunday’s lopsided win over the Jets, Murray completed 91.7 percent of his passes for 266 yards and a score, completing a franchise-record 17 consecutive attempts. He also rushed for 31 yards and two touchdowns.
In the process, Murray passed Jake Plummer for the third-most passing yards in franchise history with 17,705. For his efforts, Murray was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
Murray showed his toughness on Sunday as well. He threw a touchdown to rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. on that drive after a ferocious hit on New York’s Quincy Williams.
“I’m really glad it happened,” Murray said of the play that resulted in his helmet being blown off. “It felt good. It’s playing football. I understand because I don’t get hit very often. It’s kind of an adrenaline rush. It’s a physical, violent game. It’s part of the game. Thank you.”
Murray had the most significant jump on the MVP odds leaderboard, going from 20/1 last week to 15/1. Lamar Jackson still leads, followed by Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes. After a five-interception performance last week, Lions QB Jared Goff went from 7/1 to 20/1.
As we enter week 11, here are my top five picks:
1. lamar jackson, crow
Current MVP odds: -110 (bet $10 to win a total of $19.09)
The reigning league MVP continues to perform at an elite level leading the Ravens. And he’s especially into the game. In four quarters this season, Jackson has completed 64.3% of his passes for 723 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions for a passer rating of 120.1.
Jackson also made some critical passes in the middle area of the field (10-19 yards). According to Next Gen Stats, Jackson completed a league-best 73.9% of his passes for an NFL-best 10 touchdowns and had no interceptions on those passes.
Tom Brady’s Week 10 Three Stars: Lamar Jackson, Ja’Marr Chase, Leo Chenal | digital exclusive
2. Josh Allen, bill
Current MVP odds: +350 (bet $10 to win $45 total)
On Sunday, Allen recorded two interceptions in a game for the first time this season, but Buffalo still held off the Indianapolis Colts. Allen could potentially see more turnover-worthy plays this week when the Bills host the undefeated Chiefs.
Kansas City shot 36.5 percent, fourth-highest in the league. But Allen has thrown for 705 yards against the blitz this season, with a league-high 11 touchdowns and no interceptions, according to Next Gen Stats.
3. Jalen hurts, eagles
Current MVP odds: +1200 (bet $10 to win a total of $130)
Here are some interesting stats for Hurts: He averaged 33 passes per game through the first four weeks of the season. But since the Eagles’ bye week, he has thrown just 21 times per game and has accounted for 16 total touchdowns (eight passing, eight rushing) and just one interception during the team’s five-game winning streak.
So offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s emphasis on Saquon Barkley and the running game is paying dividends for Philadelphia.
4. Kyler Murray, cardinal
Current MVP odds: +1500 (bet $10 to win a total of $160)
Speaking of the running game, Arizona offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s ability to combine his varied running game with the play-action passing game has led to an explosive offense for Murray and the Cardinals.
Arizona ranks second in the NFL averaging 5.24 rushing yards per carry. Success running the ball opened up the play-action passing game for Murray. According to Next Gen Stats, Murray completed 72% of his passes for 817 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions to post a 109.7 passer rating on play-action passes.
5. Jayden Daniels, commander
Current MVP odds: +2000 (bet $10 to win a total of $210)
Washington’s rookie quarterback had an uneven performance in a one-point loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, completing just 50% of his passes for 202 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.
But Daniels still leads all rookies in passing yards (2,147), completion percentage (68.7%) and passer rating (101.7) and is third in rushing yards (464).
Honorable Mentions: Patrick Mahomes, Derrick Henry, Seikoon Barkley, Jared Goff, Joe Burrows
Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for over a decade and has covered: Los Angeles Rams For Sports Illustrated Los Angeles Chargers With ESPN Seattle Seahawks For the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him on Twitter @eric_d_williams.
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