Seattle Seahawks: Russell Wilson can challenge Patrick Mahomes for MVP
Russell Wilson has been playing lights out for the Seattle Seahawks but can he viably challenge Patrick Mahomes for winning MVP in 2019?
Helping move the Seattle Seahawks to 4-1 on the season, Russell Wilson was dominant on Thursday Night Football against the Los Angeles Rams. Completing 17 of his 23 passes, Wilson threw for 268 yards for four touchdowns and no interceptions while also adding 32 rushing yards. And another big-time performance may have vaulted him right into the NFL MVP conversation.
Most would agree that Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the league’s reigning MVP, is once again leading the charge to win the award (while Christian McCaffrey may also be in the mix). Through four games, he’s already thrown for just over 1,500 yards, 10 touchdowns and no interceptions while adding 64 rushing yards. Moreover, he’s been at the helm of the Chiefs’ 4-0 start.
What many might not realize, though, is that Wilson has almost matched Mahomes to this point. Though he’s played five games, the Seahawks signal-caller has 1,406 yards, 12 touchdowns, no interceptions with 120 rushing yards and two rushing scores.
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In the same timespan, Mahomes has 1,831 yards passing with 11 touchdowns and no interceptions. He’s clearly passing for more yardage but Wilson has him beat in terms of touchdowns, throwing for one more touchdown and having the rushing touchdowns on his ledger.
Scoring touchdowns should not be the end-all for the NFL MVP discussion by any means. However, with the perception of Mahomes in Kansas City’s offense, it’s certainly an interesting wrinkle that Wilson is putting up more points for the Seahawks that Mahomes has for Chiefs this season.
What also stands out with Wilson is that we’re seeing him make the same type of highlight-reel plays that make Mahomes jump off the screen. On Thursday night in Week 5, his throw to Tyler Lockett in the back of the end zone was as good of a throw as you’re going to see, on par with any no-look effort the Chiefs quarterback would throw. And that’s been routine for Wilson this season.
No matter how good Wilson has been or will be, the chances are that he’s simply not going to be as productive as Mahomes. The Chiefs offense is simply more explosive and productive than the Seahawks. That also may put Russell Wilson immediately behind the 8-ball when it comes down to it. If Mahomes outpaces him in terms of yardage by a substantial margin and their scoring remains relatively close, it’ll be hard not to give the Kansas City signal-caller the nod.
Entering Week 6, both Wilson and Mahomes have led their teams to 4-1 starts and both have been equally important to those starts. Without either player, the chance is that the Seahawks and Chiefs are both mediocre at best.
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While Mahomes may be the toast of the town in the NFL, in addition to being the reigning MVP, Wilson deserves to be in the discussion. He’s been a superstar-caliber player for some time and yet he’s playing the best football of his professional career. If he isn’t considered a serious challenger to Mahomes for NFL MVP, then people aren’t paying attention.