Brock Purdy joins the MVP conversation by keeping the 49ers’ title vibes alive

With star running back Christian McCaffrey unavailable due to Achilles tendinitis, and with other Pro Bowl players like Deebo Samuel and George Kittle in and out of the lineup, Brock Purdy has had to elevate his game to lead the San Francisco 49ers back to the top of the NFC West.

Purdy will have to be at his best when the 49ers host the rested Chiefs in a Super Bowl rematch on Sunday after Kansas City has Week 6. Andy Reid is 21-4 as a starter — that’s an .840 winning percentage, the highest in NFL history in such games.

But if anyone can overcome tough situations, it’s Purdy. He is second in the league in passing yards (1,629) and yards per attempt (8.8). Purdy’s ability to escape pressure and defend in the gut for the first time running the ball has been on display this season.

He has 127 rushing yards in six games, including 13 starts. He rushed for a season-high 144 yards last year. When nothing was found down the field in the passing game, Purdy extended San Francisco’s drives by finding running routes.

Last season’s MVP winner, Purdy’s odds improved from 20/1 to 14/1 this week. Patrick Mahomes is still the favorite to win this award, and the Chiefs are still one of the two unbeaten teams in the league. But there’s no denying that Mahomes has had one of the worst starts statistically in his NFL career, and as a result, he falls out of this week’s top five.

1. Lamar Jackson, Crows
Current odds for MVP: +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total)

The reigning MVP was impressive in last week’s heavyweight match against Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. Jackson finished 20-of-26 for 323 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 40 yards.

During Baltimore’s four-game winning streak, Jackson has completed 70% of his passes for 1,009 yards, with eight touchdowns and one interception for a 124.6 passer average. The Ravens averaged 33.5 points per game in that span.

2. Jayden Daniels, Administrators
Current odds for MVP: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)

The LSU product acquitted himself well in a close loss to the Ravens last week, finishing with 269 passing yards and two scores. Daniels still leads all rookie quarterbacks in passing yards (1,404), rushing yards (322) and passer rating (107.1).

Daniels and the Commanders host Carolina this week. The Panthers have struggled to defend a deep passing game (Carolina is allowing 7.8 passing yards per attempt, No. 31 in the NFL), so Sunday could provide an opportunity for Daniels to pull off his stats.

3. Josh Allen, Debts
Current MVP odds: +475 (bet $10 to win $57.50 total)

The addition of Amari Cooper via trade from the Cleveland Browns should help take the pressure off Allen to carry the offense, giving him an outside receiver who can consistently create separation on the perimeter.

Currently, the Bills are averaging just 186.5 passing yards per contest, which is No. 25 in the NFL. Buffalo hopes the 30-year-old Cooper still has gas left in the tank and can help create explosive plays in the zone.

While the passing game has room for improvement, Allen has done a good job of taking care of the ball, going six games without an interception.

[RELATED: What trading for Browns WR Amari Cooper means for Josh Allen, Bills]

4. Brock Purdy, 49ers
Current odds for MVP: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)

Purdy no longer relies on pass catchers like Samuels to turn short passes into explosive gains. According to Next Gen Stats, the third-year QB leads the NFL with 1,061 passing yards on passes with at least 10 air yards. Purdy also tops the league with 23 passes of 20-plus yards.

As The Athletic points out, Purdy’s first three seasons in the league compare favorably to Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow, so maybe the Iowa State product is starting to find his blossoms?

5. CJ Stroud, The Texans
Current odds for MVP: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total)

Last year’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is off to a hot start. Stroud was successful in the win over the New England Patriots, passing for 192 yards and three touchdowns in Week 6.

Stroud is No. 6 in the NFL in passing yards (1,577) and is tied for fifth in the league in passing touchdowns (10) in leading the Texans to a 5-1 record.

Honorable mention: Patrick Mahomes, Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, Derrick Henry, Jordan Love

Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, including Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers of ESPN and Seattle Seahawks of the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him on Twitter at @eric_d_williams.

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