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5 Dark horse NFL MVP candidates who can shock the world

By Randy Gurzi

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 10: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass during the first half of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on January 10, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 10: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass during the first half of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on January 10, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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2021 NFL MVP
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 13: Jameis Winston #2 of the New Orleans Saints warms up prior to taking on the New Orleans Saints at Lincoln Financial Field on December 13, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

The 2021 season is nearly underway which means it’s time to identify five players who could shock the world by winning the NFL MVP award

As the regular season approaches, there are going to be a lot of eyes on the top players such as Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady when it comes to who will win the coveted 2021 NFL MVP Award. It’s understandable they get the attention since they’re two of the best in the game and they have already each had the honor of winning the award.

There’s also Aaron Rodgers who was given the honor in 2020 — who should be in the running as long as his concerns about the way the Green Bay Packers run things. But there could be someone none of us see coming who ends up winning the award.

For example, Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills was in the running last year, which was a major surprise. Had he won the trophy, it would have been a shock to the football world.

With all that being said, we look at five players who could surprise us all as dark horse MVP candidates.

5. Jameis Winston, QB, New Orleans Saints

This could be a huge shock since Jameis Winston is currently not even guaranteed to be the starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints. Formerly taken No. 1 overall in 2015 out of Florida State by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Winston lost his job when the Bucs signed Tom Brady.

He just finished a season with 5,109 yards which led the league but he had 30 interceptions as well, which was nearly as much as his 33 touchdowns. Winston then spent 2020 behind Drew Brees and finished with just 75 yards passing — and even had to watch as Taysom Hill started when Brees was hurt.

Now with the former starter retired, Winston and Hill will again battle for playing time and if he wins the job, Winston should have no problem putting up yards in the Saints offense. And if head coach Sean Payton can get him to cut down on his turnovers, ‘Famous Jameis’ could be in the running for the 2021 NFL MVP Award.

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