NFL Week 12, Sorting the Sunday Pile: Saquon Barkley’s MVP case, Bo Nix surges, Niners in big trouble

It’s been a long time — more than a decade — since a running back won MVP. And, all due respect to Adrian Peterson’s 2012 season, it’s been almost 20 years since a running back won MVP in a year where the running back deserved to win MVP. Almost every season around this time, some skill position player erupts for a big game that thrusts them into the discussion and it appears it’s Saquon Barkley’s turn. 

The Eagles running back, signed this offseason by Philly to a massive deal after being snubbed by the Giants in contract negotiations so they could ink Devin Singletary, went Thanksgiving ham on the Rams defense Sunday night, rumbling for 255 yards on 26 carries, including a pair of breathtaking 70+ yard touchdown runs in the Eagles’ 37-20 blowout win.

Sunday night’s road win left the Eagles undefeated since their Week 5 bye, it put them just a game back of the 10-1 Detroit Lions in pursuit of the No. 1 seed in the NFC and it kickstarted a real discussion about Saquon’s MVP candidacy. 

Over at FanDuel Sportsbook, Barkley is now the third favorite to win the award at +650. At DraftKings Sportsbook, Saquon is even lower, clocking in at an even 5-1 odds to win MVP. From a consensus perspective, Barkley trails only prohibitive favorite Josh Allen as well as reigning MVP Lamar Jackson for the award. 

So let’s address the elephant in the room. 

Does Saquon deserve MVP consideration?

Sure. Absolutely. He’s having an incredible season so far and is clearly the best player on a really good team. The Eagles are 9-2 and have been on an absolute tear since their bye. Barkley leads the NFL in carries (223), rushing yards (1,392), yards per rush (6.2) and rushing yards per game (126.5). He’s been everything he was supposed to be when the Giants drafted him above a bunch of quarterbacks in the 2018 NFL Draft. Shoutout Dave Gettleman, the only GM I can recall who took a running back in the top…


Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-12-sorting-the-sunday-pile-saquon-barkleys-mvp-case-bo-nix-surges-niners-in-big-trouble/

Author : Will Brinson

Publish date : 2024-11-25 16:19:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

Check Also

NFL DFS, 49ers vs. Rams: DraftKings, FanDuel daily Fantasy football picks for Week 15 Thursday Night Football

Week 15 kicks off with an NFC West showdown on Thursday Night Football between the …