In what could be a historic year for running backs in the NFL, Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles and Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens are making strong cases for the MVP award. Barkley leads the league with 1,499 rushing yards and 13 total touchdowns, while Henry isn’t far behind with 1,407 rushing yards.
Despite their impressive stats, history is not on their side. The last running back to win MVP was Adrian Peterson in 2012, and only three running backs have won the award in the last 20 years. Former MVP Shaun Alexander believes that for a running back to win MVP, they need to put up record-breaking numbers like he and LaDainian Tomlinson did.
Alexander emphasized that for a running back to win MVP, they need to have gaudy stats like breaking records in rushing yards and touchdowns, as well as having a successful team. He also noted that the quarterback position is heavily favored for the award due to the immense responsibility they have on the field.
Despite the odds, Barkley and Henry continue to be in the MVP conversation in what could potentially be a groundbreaking year for running backs. As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if either of these talented players can break the running back MVP drought that has lasted over a decade.
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