NFL MVP rankings: Lamar Jackson outduels Jayden Daniels to take top spot after Week 6

Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers became the first NFL team this season to score 50 points in a game.

Mayfield threw for 325 yards and four touchdowns in a 51-27 win over the New Orleans Saints last week, to take the NFL lead with 15 touchdown passes thrown this season.

Was the performance enough for Mayfield to sneak onto our USA TODAY Sports’ NFL MVP rankings?

Sorry, Baker. Not yet. Leading the league in touchdowns is impressive, like Tampa Bay’s 4-2 start.

But Mayfield also threw three interceptions in the win over the Saints. And we still remember Kirk Cousins outplaying him a week earlier in the Bucs’ loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

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There’s a new No. 1 atop our MVP list, and a newcomer to the MVP race. Here’s our NFL MVP rankings heading into Week 7.

5. Bills QB Josh Allen, stock even

Allen retains the fifth spot in our MVP rankings after helping the Bills break a two-game skid with a win over the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.

Allen scored a touchdown and threw for two more in the 23-20 win, where windy conditions caused kickers to miss several field goals and turn the contest into a tight affair. Allen sealed the game with a 6-yard run with 1:45 left, and the Bills ran out the clock.

It wasn’t enough to boost Allen, who was No. 1 in our MVP rankings after Week 3. We’re still holding those losses against the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans against him. But Allen’s MVP case will improve following the addition of standout receiver Amari Cooper this week.

4. Texans QB C.J. Stroud, stock up

Welcome to the MVP conversation, C.J. Stroud. The second-year Texans star threw three touchdowns in a 41-21 win over the New England Patriots last week. It was his best performance of the season, even without leading receiver Nico Collins, who is nursing a hamstring injury for the next three weeks.

Still, Stroud’s case is boasted by Houston’s 5-1 record this season. The Texans overcame their Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings with three consecutive wins.

If Stroud lights it up against Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers this week, he’ll certainly rise on the list.

3. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and Vikings QB Sam Darnold, stock even

We’ve got a duo sharing the No. 3 spot on our MVP list, and that’s simply because they’re the starting quarterbacks from the only two undefeated 5-0 teams in the NFL and had a bye in Week 6.

Mahomes and the Chiefs return to action Sunday on the road against the San Francisco 49ers in a Super Bowl rematch that could see him improve his MVP case. Mahomes’ work to keep the Chiefs afloat despite the losses of Rashee Rice, Isiah Pacheco and Hollywood Brown boast his MVP case.

Meanwhile, Darnold and the Vikings will host the Detroit Lions in an NFC North battle that could potentially be a conference title game matchup. Darnold’s 11 touchdowns, which rank fourth after his week off, supports his MVP case.

2. Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, stock down

Daniels’ MVP bid took a slight hit after the Washington Commanders were unable to pull off a big-time win last Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.

The rookie sensation has sparked Washington’s 4-2 start, and potential to win the NFC East this season. But a win over the Ravens would have inserted them in the Super Bowl conversation.

Washington is still top five in touchdowns scored this season with 19, including 13 rushing touchdowns behind their rookie catalyst.

There’s plenty of season left to be played for Daniels to continue his MVP case, but he is no longer in the top spot.

1. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, stock up

The two-time MVP is atop our MVP rankings for the first time this season after another decisive win in Week 6. Jackson led three touchdown drives, throwing a touchdown to tight end Mark Andrews while running back Derrick Henry scored twice in Baltimore’s 30-23 win over Washington last week.

The Ravens have won four in a row, all against teams expected to make playoff runs this season – boosting Jackson’s case for his third MVP.

The only issue we see with Jackson’s MVP case moving forward: accounting for Henry’s value. The star running back leads all players with nine touchdowns scored this season.

Jackson and Henry are undoubtedly the NFL’s best 1-2 punch, but Jackson’s ability to make timely throws to set his running back up for easy scores will set him apart in the long run.