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

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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 27: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans runs with the ball while being tackled by Krys Barnes #51 of the Green Bay Packers in the second quarter at Lambeau Field on December 27, 2020, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

4. Derrick Henry, RB (Tennessee Titans)

Last Week’s Ranking: 4th

Highest Ranking of Season: 3rd (-1)

2020 Stats: 344 Rushes, 1,777 Rushing Yards, 15 TDs, 5.2 Yards/Carry

The Tennessee Titans floundered mightily in Green Bay on Sunday night, but Henry nearly notched 100 rushing yards during the shellacking. For MVP-conversation purposes, this keeps Henry smack-dab in the mix.

The soon-to-be 27-year-old leads the NFL in rushing yards on a team with a 10-5 record. The Titans are playoff-bound, most likely. Tennesee has a 95 percent chance of reaching the postseason per FiveThirtyEight.

The NFL’s leading rusher — on a playoff team — is worthy of MVP consideration. Henry is a beacon of consistency. The man does not have bad games. And when he starts off a contest slow by his standards, he typically gets deadlier as the game progresses. It’s an Adrian Peterson-esque character trait.

Henry is on pace to win the NFL’s rushing crown for the second consecutive season. If that metric holds, he will be the first player since 2006-07 to win consecutive rushing titles. LaDanian Tomlinson did so 13 years ago. That’s quite the feat.

Only 10-12 halfbacks in the business are true, “what would the team do without him” game-changers. Henry and Minnesota’s Dalvin Cook top the list. Because of that distinction, Henry is an MVP candidate.

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