NFL MVP Watch: Tom Brady, Rookie Lead Week 1 Edition
Sep 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Julio Jones(11) gestures to the sideline against the Philadelphia Eagles in the second quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Honorable Mention: Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
No wide receiver has ever won NFL MVP, which makes this projection a difficult one to justify. Fortunately, Julio Jones was so prolific during Week 1 that his exclusion would’ve been an undeniable snub.
During a narrow 26-24 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, Jones did what he does best: shine under the bright lights of Monday Night Football.
Julio Jones' last 2 games played on @ESPNMondayNight have been unreal. pic.twitter.com/KD7zGmbKXQ
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 15, 2015
Nine receptions for 141 yards and two touchdowns is as impressive as it sounds.
He didn’t do much during the second half, but Jones’ lone catch went for 44 yards. From start to finish, he was the most pivotal piece of the puzzle for the victorious Falcons.
Matt Ryan will likely pass him based on positional preference in the NFL MVP voting, but Jones’ Week 1 pushed him deeper into Falcons history.
Most games with 100 rec yards and 2 rec TD in Falcons history
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 15, 2015
Andre Rison 9
Roddy White 8
Julio Jones 5
For the time being, there is a wide receiver in the MVP conversation. Keenan Allen was more prolific statistically, but a very strong case could be made that Jones carried the Falcons to victory.
More weeks like this and Jones could not only chase the MVP award, but Calvin Johnson‘s historic 2012.
Next: The Tale of Two Halves