As we approach Super Bowl 56 between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams, I take a look at who has the best chances to win the Super Bowl MVP but no matter who gets it we know it’ll be one promising matchup this Sunday to decide it all.
Matthew Stafford has always been one of the quarterbacks who has always been a hard worker, stayed consistent throughout his illustrious career but always never had the right weapons around him in his time with the Detroit Lions. But now with the Rams in one year was able to utilize the offense with a possible offensive player of the year in Cooper Kupp and other key players is showing that he wasn’t the problem in Detroit. Throwing for almost 5,000 passing yards for the Rams and if he can play Sunday like he has the rest of the playoffs, he will no doubt be selected as the Super Bowl MVP.
Donald has always been in the discussion for the best defensive player in the league. And the fact that his strength is unmatched along with his speed and elusiveness to tear through offensive lines makes teams have to make a separate plan for Aaron Donalds’ unique talent. But if he can get 4 sacks and try to disrupt Joe Burrow to make more mistakes it should be easy for the first time since 2015 when Von Miller (current teammate of Donald but was with the Broncos when he won Super Bowl MVP) that a non-offensive player has won the prestigious award. But did slip off due to small injuries only getting 12.5 sacks for the year. But with an inexperienced offensive line for the Bengals that have never played a game as big as the Super Bowl, Donald should have a great time getting to Burrow.
Chase has been one of the brightest prospects this year. Turning around the unfulfilled receiver core of the Bengals and turning it into an offense that can compete with Elite defenses like Kansas City, Buffalo, and Tennessee in the AFC playoff picture. With 1.455 receiving yards on 81 receptions, Burrow favored Chase on the passes that were 20+ as they have before when they teamed up in College at LSU and won a National Championship with the University. So it could mean history for Chase if he gets the award because a rookie has never won Super Bowl MVP but out of all the rookies in the game on Sunday he has the best chance.
While Chase has the best chances of the award for any rookies for both teams, I think potential Offensive Player of the Year Cooper Kupp has a very good chance if the Rams win it of a non QB player winning it. Like Edelman, Kupp has been essential in the slot route but can get open for the 15+ yard pass, nearly breaking 2 records in the season. One for receptions, and for receiving yards, he finished 1st in the league for receiving yards, receptions, and receiving touchdowns. So while he is the most ideal choice for it, I don’t think they’ll look outside of the quarterback position for the award unless Kupp can tear through the Bengals defense for easy gains.
Joe Burrow has had quite the season, turning it around from a knee injury a year ago when everyone thought that his career was over before it started. With almost 5,000 yards with only missing one game and it showed that he needs to be in the conversation for one of the best young quarterbacks in the league along with Mahomes, Herbert, and others. But going through Derek Carr, Ryan Tannehill, and Patrick Mahomes, Burrow showed off his leadership skills and was able to bring the Bengals to the Super Bowl for the first time since the early 1990s. And while he won’t win regular-season MVP, his chances of winning Super Bowl MVP are very high if Cincinnati can lift the Lombardi Trophy when the clock hits all zeros.
