Nick Chubb should be in the MVP conversation

Nick Chubb isn’t getting the respect his game deserves

Another week and another amazing performance from Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb rushing for 144 yards and a touchdown and added 32 yards receiving. The third-year tailback led the Browns to a 27-25 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, this isn’t the first time he’s spearheaded this 8-3 team.

When Chubb missed four games in the middle of the season the rushing attack was noticeably less effective as Cleveland went 2-2 without him and only went 100 yards rushing as a team twice during that stretch. The offense just didn’t look the same without their most valuable player.

He has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of the three games since he returned from injury and the Browns have won all of them. Cleveland won’t have a losing record for the first time since 2007 and on pace to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002 and it largely due to the play and silent leadership of Chubb.

His stats don’t match up with other MVP candidates like Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, and Derrick Henry but that is because of the four games he missed. History is also not on his side, only three running backs have won the award in the past 20 years; Adrian Peterson in 2012 when he rushed for over 2,000 yards, LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006 when he broke the single-season record for rushing touchdowns, and Marshall Faulk in 2000 when he became the first player with 1,000 rushing and receiving yards in a season.

So for a running back to win the award he must do something extraordinary statistically because they aren’t viewed as being as valuable as quarterbacks because generally they aren’t but it is clear who has the most value on the Browns offense.

Leading Cleveland to the playoffs for the first time in 18 years should be considered an extraordinary statistic and they certainly wouldn’t be in this position without him. The Browns are often one of the most disrespected teams in the NFL so that may also be why Chubb isn’t getting the press his play has warranted.

Chubb is averaging 102 yards rushing a game and he can keep up that pace he would have around 1,200 yards and double-digit touchdowns which may get him some consideration but don’t count on the media to give Chubb the recognition he gets from the Dawg Pound.