Sunday’s AFC Championship game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs just got even more interesting with both teams’ quarterbacks now being finalists for the 2022 NFL MVP award.
While there the NFC Championship matchup pitting the NFC East and West champions — the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles — against each other is a fascinating matchup, the main game of the weekend is Bengals vs. Chiefs. The reason is because QBs sell tickets and tie ratings and the two AFC teams have two of the best.
Patrick Mahomes is the cream of the crop of signalmen in the NFL after winning the Associated Press Most Valuable Player award in 2018 and finishing third for the award two years later. He is a one-time Super Bowl champion and has another outstanding season in 2022-2023, leading the Kansas City Chiefs to a best record in the conference.
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However, in just three seasons Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow took the NFL by storm. He helped his team rock the sport last season when they reached the Super Bowl, and now they’re on the verge of a second straight trip this season to an AFC championship rematch against the Mahomes and the Chiefs.
The two quarterbacks’ outstanding play this season was rewarded on Wednesday when the AP announced that both were among five players shortlisted for the 2022 NFL MVP award.
Justin Jefferson joins Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs as finalist for NFL MVP
Mahomes was magical again for Kansas City this season, throwing a career best 5,250 yards. He also had an outstanding 105.2 passers and 41 touchdowns with just 12 interceptions. On the flip side, Burrow also posted career-best touchdown (35) and quarterback (58.8) numbers, while also posting 4,475 yards through the air and also just 12 INTs.
Joining Mahomes and Burrow as finalists for this season’s award is NFL Championship Weekend contender Jalen Hurts. The Philadelphia Eagles QB has made a huge leap forward in the last six months to become the deadliest double threat in the league. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is also a finalist for MVP.
The final finalist is Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson who had an incredible season in 2022-2023. He set records for 100- and 150-yard receiving games last season while racking up career-highs in catches (108) and yards (1,809) to go along with his eight touchdowns.
The winners for MVP and other awards, such as coach and defensive player of the year, will be announced Feb. 9 by votes from 50 members of the media who completed their ballot before the NFL playoffs begin.
