Saquon Barkley, Lamar Jackson, and Derrick Henry Are Making Their Case for NFL MVP

After their impressive win on Monday Night Football, the Baltimore Ravens are fully locked in on the road to the playoffs. Lamar Jackson accounted for three touchdowns, while Derrick Henry ran for 140 yards, leading the Ravens to a 30-23 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.

NFL fans and analysts agree that this is the best version of Lamar Jackson that they’ve ever seen, and the numbers back it up. Jackson boasts a remarkable 27:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio, showcasing his composure and poise throughout the season.

However, the key to Baltimore’s success might just be the man standing behind him—running back Derrick Henry. When the Ravens lost to Kansas City last year, it was largely because they strayed from their strength: running the football. In the offseason, the Ravens addressed this need, much like the Philadelphia Eagles, by adding a powerful running back to complement their attack. Derrick Henry has given Baltimore an intimidating run game and added versatility to their offense.

So far this season, the Alabama product has been one of the league’s top running backs. With 13 touchdowns and the second-most rushing yards in the NFL, Henry is just behind Saquon Barkley, who reminded everyone on Sunday night why he deserves to be in the MVP conversation.

Saquon Barkley’s resurgence is one of the season’s most fascinating storylines. Released by the New York Giants to the surprise of many, Barkley faced doubts about his future after tearing his ACL and MCL in 2020. However, over his final two seasons in New York, the Penn State product rushed for 2,274 yards across 30 games, putting to rest any concerns about his health at 27 years old.

The Giants’ decision to release Barkley stemmed from salary cap issues, exacerbated by a four-year, $160 million extension given to quarterback Daniel Jones during the offseason. With Barkley on the market, the Philadelphia Eagles wasted no time bringing the generational talent back to Pennsylvania. On Sunday night, he proved to be worth every penny of their investment.

Barkley set the single-game rushing record in Eagles history with 255 yards in a 37-20 win at SoFi Stadium. He became just the ninth player in NFL history to achieve such a feat. Barkley is now tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns and has overtaken Derrick Henry for the league lead in rushing yards after his historic performance.

With Barkley now holding the third and fourth-best odds for MVP at most sportsbooks, the stakes couldn’t be higher heading into Sunday’s matchup. At 4:25 p.m., the Philadelphia Eagles will travel to Baltimore to face the AFC’s top team, the Ravens, in a game that could have significant implications for the MVP race.

Will Derrick Henry steal the show, or will Saquon Barkley prove he’s the league’s most valuable player? Perhaps Lamar Jackson will solidify his case as the NFL’s best. One thing is certain: this showdown will shape the conversation about who deserves the league’s highest individual honor.