Super Bowl 55: Ranking the 10 best MVP candidates in Chiefs vs. Buccaneers
Super Bowl 55 MVP candidate No. 8: Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
There’s no denying that Chris Godwin is one of the elite weapons that the Bucs have to offer. In 12 games this season, he caught 65 passes for 840 yards and seven touchdowns. In the playoffs, though, he’s been a bit sporadic en route to totaling 14 receptions for 223 yards and one touchdown.
That inconsistency is one of the reasons that Godwin comes in as only the No. 8-ranked MVP candidate for Super Bowl LV. But the other is the usage that he gets. While he may even be the go-to player in most areas of the field, that’s not the case in the red-zone.
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In a game that’s likely going to feature a lot of points, scoring is going to be critical for someone to win MVP. So with the likes of Mike Evans and the tight ends likely gobbling up the red-zone looks, we should have tempered expectations for Godwin’s chances.
Super Bowl 55 MVP candidate No. 7: Leonard Fournette, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Some might call having Leonard Fournette at this spot a bit outlandish but it actually makes a lot of sense. For one, the Buccaneers have been relying heavily on the running back in the playoffs as he’s clearly Brady’s preferred option in the backfield committee.
And a big reason for that is Fournette’s evolved ability as a pass-catcher. He’s been getting a nice number of targets as of late and that’s a big reason why he comes in at No. 7. We’ve seen Brady look to his running backs a great deal in big moments to help carry him, a la James White.
If that happens again, it stands to reason that Fournette will receive a ton of touches, both in the regular game flow and in the red zone. That could pave the way for him to have a monster outing and capture the game’s top individual honor.