MVPs for all 16 AFC teams at the midpoint

Of the 16 AFC workforce MVPs on the season’s midpoint, 5 are quarterbacks. A minimum of two of them needs to be within the working for league MVP after the season. In the meantime, a wideout who is perhaps on his approach to the best particular person season on the place is his workforce’s MVP via 9 video games. Listed here are Yardbarker’s team-by-team MVPs. (Discover Yardbarker’s NFC workforce MVPs here.)

AFC East 

BUFFALO BILLS | QB Josh Allen: Allen most likely will not end within the high three of NFL MVP balloting as he did final season, however his worth to the Payments is immeasurable. Via 9 video games, he’s on tempo to set a career-high in completion price (71.3%) and tops all QBs in QBR (75.3). Allen has just about carried the offense by himself, accounting for twenty-four of the workforce’s 28 offensive touchdowns. 

MIAMI DOLPHINS | WR Tyreek Hill: Arguably the perfect vast receiver within the NFL, Hill has someway reached a brand new degree of dominance in his age-29 season. The seven-time Professional Bowler leads the NFL in receiving yards (1,076) and TD catches (eight). So long as the Dolphins keep their success on offense down the stretch, Hill ought to earn Offensive Participant of the 12 months honors. He is on tempo to interrupt Calvin Johnson’s season report for receiving yards (1,964).  

NEW YORK JETS | LB Quincy Williams: Whereas his brother, Quinnen, often is the better-known Jets defender within the household, Williams — the AFC Defensive Participant of the Month for October — can also be making a reputation for himself. Other than being the fifth-highest-rated linebacker within the NFL by Professional Soccer Focus, Williams is tied for seventeenth in tackles (74) and tied for ninth in TFLs (nine) amongst all defenders. 

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | S Jabrill Peppers: There hasn’t been a lot to get enthusiastic about in New England, however the versatile defensive again is a vibrant spot and a revered voice within the locker room. Peppers has 54 tackles — three for loss — one interception, one compelled fumble and a team-leading six passes defended. For a workforce going through as many uncertainties because the Patriots are, Peppers is a strong piece to construct round within the quick time period. — Colum Dell

AFC West

DENVER BRONCOS | CB Patrick Surtain II: In eight video games, the 23-year-old budding star has one interception and eight passes defended, tied for eleventh within the NFL. Don’t be shocked if he earns a second straight Professional Bowl nod.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | QB Patrick Mahomes: A shaky receiving corps hasn’t fazed Mahomes. He’s third within the NFL in passing yards (2,442), fourth in TD passes (17) and third in QBR (73). The 28-year-old may seize his third MVP, as oddschecker notes he’s favored to win the award once more.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Defensive finish Maxx Crosby: Regardless of a weak supporting solid, Crosby thrives. He has 9.5 of the Raiders’ 24 sacks and is tied for the league lead in tackles for loss (13). If the two-time Professional Bowler retains dominating, he’ll generate extra Defensive Participant of the 12 months buzz.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | WR Keenan Allen: The 31-year-old is the centerpiece of the offense and leads the workforce in yards receiving (720) and receptions (62). Via Week 9, Professional Soccer Focus gave him a receiving grade of 84.6, eighth amongst WRs. — Clark Dalton

AFC North 

BALTIMORE RAVENS | QB Lamar Jackson: Jackson has inserted himself into the league MVP dialog throughout his workforce’s four-game win streak. The 2019 NFL MVP has thrown for 1,954 yards and 9 touchdowns and posted four hundred and forty yards and 5 touchdowns dashing. He’s the explanation, as soon as once more, Baltimore is a Tremendous Bowl contender.

CLEVELAND BROWNS | Defensive finish Myles Garrett: Garrett may very well be main the race for the Defensive Participant of the 12 months. The No. 1 general decide in 2017 is tied for the second-most sacks (9.5) and most compelled fumbles (four) within the league. He additionally blocked a field-goal try in a Week 7 win over the Colts. He is the ringleader of a protection that enables the fewest yards per sport (234.8).

CINCINNATI BENGALS | QB Joe Burrow: Battling a calf harm, Burrow had a tough begin to the season. He seems absolutely recovered now, although, because the Bengals (5-3) have gained 4 straight. During their win streak, Burrow has thrown for 1,133 yards, 10 touchdowns and simply two interceptions. 

PITTSBURGH STEELERS | Linebacker T.J. Watt: The Steelers are the primary workforce in NFL historical past to be outgained by their opponents in every of their first eight video games and have a successful report (5-3). It hasn’t been fairly to look at, however Pittsburgh at all times makes performs when wanted. The participant who appears to take advantage of is Watt. The 2021 NFL Defensive Participant of the 12 months is tied for second-most sacks (9.5) within the league. He additionally has two compelled fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one interception. — Aaron Becker

AFC South 

HOUSTON TEXANS | QB C.J. Stroud: Stroud is having the most effective statistical rookie seasons of all time. He ranks within the high 10 in passing yards (2,270), landing passes (14) and passer ranking (102.9), and has solely thrown one interception. The Texans (4-4) aren’t near a .500 workforce with out him.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | RB Zack Moss: With Jonathan Taylor lacking the primary 4 weeks of the season, Moss stepped up in an enormous approach. After not enjoying in Week 1, he rushed for 445 yards and scored 4 touchdowns over his subsequent 4 video games to assist Indy win three of 4 and keep within the thick of the AFC South. Moss is second within the NFL in dashing, 37 yards behind San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | RB Travis Etienne: QB Trevor Lawrence hasn’t fairly taken the step ahead everybody thought he would, however fortuitously for the Jags, Etienne is rising as one of many high RBs within the league. He has rushed for a number of touchdowns in three of his past four games and scored a landing in 5 of the workforce’s six wins. Etienne ranks third the NFL in dashing touchdowns (seven) and sixth in dashing yards (583).

TENNESSEE TITANS | DT Jeffery Simmons: There haven’t been too many vibrant spots for the Titans, however Simmons continues to be a wrecking ball on the defensive position. He leads the workforce in tackles for loss (six) and ranks second in sacks (4.5). If not for Simmons, Tennessee’s protection would rank a heck of lots decrease than twentieth in yards allowed per sport (337.8). — Michael Gallagher