Who is your surprise MVP after Week Two?
(Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports)
We’re two weeks into the NFL season for 2023, and with unpredictable story lines being written, new stars are emerging.
There was no shortage of individual brilliance in Week Two, with incredible contributions from players on both sides of the ball. And the players who have shone in the opening weeks, haven’t necessarily been those you would expect, with a new emergence of MVP contenders coming into the fray early on.
Here are three surprise candidates who are moving up the MVP rankings after a great start to the season:
1. Tua Tagovailoa
Tua isn’t the best player on the Dolphins, and he’s still certainly a quarterback who polarizes opinion. But what we’ve seen in the opening weeks is the season is that Tua is a leader and Miami’s team is build around him – it’s his team, and they’re currently one of the best in the league.
After a brilliant Week One performance in the win over the Los Angeles Chargers, Tagovailoa delivered another statement win for his team against the Patriots, and he is rightfully the early MVP frontrunner. Every QB would love Mike McDaniel drawing up their plays, and Tyreek Hill to throw at, but Tua’s timing and anticipation has been exemplary in 2023.
2. Christian McCaffrey
The 49ers look the most dominant team in the NFL right now, with star playmakers across the roster. But one player, running back Christian McCaffrey, just continues to stand above the rest and shine bright for the NFC powerhouse.
San Francisco’s midseason acquisition of the former Carolina Panthers star in 2022 is fast becoming one of the best trades in recent NFL history, with McCaffrey continuing to be the best in the business when it comes to production from the backfield.
With a massive 268 rushing yards in two games, and more yet to come, McCaffrey is on course to put up monster, MVP-calibre numbers in 2023.
3. TJ Watt
Micah Parsons might be the best defensive player in the league at this moment. But it cannot be overstated just how important TJ Watt is to this Pittsburgh Steelers team. He’s definitely following in brother J.J’s footsteps, and should be on course to become a multiple-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Monday night’s win over the Cleveland Browns certainly did his cause no harm, coming up with a sack and the game-winning fumble return to get the Steelers to 1-1. Without him, this team wouldn’t function or be anywhere as near as competitive.
