The first-half MVP race has no clear leader, and that is not a cop-out. Joe Burrow and Jordan Love have both built compelling cases through nine weeks, and picking between them right now is nearly impossible.
Burrow has been the engine of a Cincinnati offense that leans heavily on its star receivers. He leads the NFL in completion percentage (74%), passing touchdowns (23), and total touchdowns accounted for (26). According to CBS Sports research, he is the first player ever to post a 70% completion rate and four total touchdowns in four straight games, and the Bengals have won four in a row. The running game has been poor and the defense inconsistent, which only adds to his value.
Love has been equally impressive in a different context. He leads the league in passing yards (2,618) and completions of 20+ yards (40), and ranks third in passing touchdowns (19). Green Bay’s rushing attack is historically bad, generating under 20% of its yards on the ground, and his receivers have been plagued by the league’s highest drop rate. Despite that, Love has lifted Christian Watson and Matthew Golden into stardom; the pair became the first Packers wide receiver duo to each post 150+ yards and a touchdown in the same game. Love also has the most completions of 20+ yards downfield (23), and his deep ball has been a thing of beauty.
Burrow has the better supporting cast at receiver, but Love has dealt with more adversity around him. Both have been excellent, and the MVP conversation will only intensify as the season wears on.
Shedeur Sanders Deserves to Keep the Starting Job
Shedeur Sanders made his first start of the season for the Browns, and while the box score shows some warts, it also reveals plenty to like. He completed 19 of 31 passes for 297 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions, averaging 9.6 yards per attempt. He also took five sacks for 37 yards and ran 10 times for 28 yards. The Browns lost 23-22 to the Saints, but Sanders showed things Deshaun Watson simply hasn’t.
Sanders completed three passes of 30+ yards downfield; Watson has one such completion all year. Sanders also made plays with his legs, scrambling for 11 yards on a third-and-6 and later for 5 yards on a third-and-4. After a rough start, he threw for 259 yards in the second half. The offensive line was abysmal, the run game offered little help, and there were multiple drops. But Sanders navigated pressure well and delivered big plays. He should remain the starter.
Matthew Stafford Is Holding the Rams Back
The Rams are above .500 for the first time this season after a 20-13 win over the Commanders, but Matthew Stafford’s play is a growing concern. He threw another ugly interception against Washington, locking onto Puka Nacua with no chance of completion. It was his ninth interception in nine games, and he seems to throw a terrible pick every week.
Stafford missed several throws he routinely made during his 2025 MVP campaign, including an open Tyler Higbee on an out-breaking route and two open looks to Tutu Atwell. Last year, he completed 43% of his throws 20+ yards downfield with a 10-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio; this year, those numbers have plummeted to 24% and 1-to-3. The defense looks excellent, Myles Garrett had three sacks and a forced fumble, and the run game has found some physicality. But the Rams will need Stafford to play like his old self at some point, and that looks increasingly unlikely.
Quick Hits: Sirianni, NFC East, Panthers, and Trade Ideas
The Eagles should not fire Nick Sirianni despite a seven-game losing streak that dropped them to 2-7. Jalen Hurts is done for the year, the offensive line has been in upheaval, and key players have been hurt. Firing Sirianni now would only add instability for first-year coordinator Sean Mannion and third-string quarterback Joe Milton, who should continue to start. The team hasn’t given up, and stability is needed.
The NFC East race is not over. The Giants improved to 5-2-1 with a win over the Eagles, but the Cowboys are 4-5 and only 2.5 games back. Dallas survived a mistake-riddled game against the Colts, and a Week 17 showdown between the two teams looms large.
The Panthers are not done either. They have lost three straight to fall to 3-5, but the latest loss to Denver was their best of the three. Bryce Young had good moments, and Carolina out-gained the Broncos 353-312. The NFC South has no team above .500, so the Panthers remain in the hunt.
Nico Collins made a strong candidate for Catch of the Year with a wild touchdown grab for the Texans.
With the trade deadline approaching, several moves make sense. The Chiefs should pursue George Pickens from the Cowboys and Andrew Wylie from the Commanders to bolster Patrick Mahomes’ supporting cast. The Patriots could also target Wylie or another offensive lineman. The Vikings should acquire Jonathan Taylor from the Colts, the Jaguars should add Grover Stewart from the Colts, and the Lions should trade for Tariq Woolen.
