NFL MVP stock watch: One of closest races in recent history

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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 28: Josh Allen #17 and Stefon Diggs #14 of the Buffalo Bills speak with a sideline reporter after the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 28, 2020, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Bills won 38-9. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /

Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers are locked in one of the tightest MVP races in recent history.

This is the second-to-last installment of FanSided‘s 18-part series of MVP award analysis.

Each week, the top five players in contention to take home the NFL’s most esteemed individual award are examined.

The series is a running tabulation of statistics, player performance, and of course, impact on team success. In that respect, this analysis should be considered a linear or non-episodic process.

Players currently on the fringe of MVP candidacy include Ryan Tannehill, Russell Wilson, Dalvin Cook, T.J. Watt, Aaron Donald, and Travis Kelce. Tannehill exits the rankings this week after a lackluster performance on Sunday Night Football.

To remain on the MVP Stock Watch, players must continue their high-octane success on a weekly basis. If a player plays woefully in Week 17, he will probably be jettisoned in the final edition of the rankings or slide a few spots.

Here are the top five MVP award contenders for 2020.

**Please note: This series will consider sportsbooks odds but will largely weigh individual statistics and impact on the team by the particular player.

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