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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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NFL MVP
May 27, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz (2) throws the ball during Indianapolis Colts OTAs. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Carson Wentz, QB, Indianapolis Colts

Back in 2017, it seemed as though Carson Wentz was going to be named the NFL MVP. He was in his second season in the league and led the Philadelphia Eagles to an 11-2 record in 13 starts. His stat line was great with him tossing 3,296 yards with 33 touchdowns and only seven picks.

But everything came to a halt for him when he tore his ACL in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams. Philadelphia rallied around back-up Nick Foles and ended up winning a Super Bowl in one of the more exciting games in the history of the championship game. That also may have been the start of the end of Wentz’ era in the City of Brotherly Love.

He returned in 2018 and went 5-6 but missed more time due to injuries and had to watch as Foles led them in the playoffs once again. By 2019, Philly made sure to let him know he was their guy as Wentz signed a massive extension but then was just 9-7 as the starter and they drafted his eventual replacement in Jalen Hurts less than one calendar season after agreeing to the new contract.

Now the starter for the Indianapolis Colts, Wentz is reunited with Frank Reich who just so happened to be his offensive coordinator in 21017 with the Eagles when he was playing at an MVP-level. A fresh start could be exactly what he needs. If so, Wentz might put up numbers similar to what he did the last time Reich was calling plays for him and that could elevate him from a former star to a player worthy of the most prestigious individual award in the game.

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