Three and Out: Joseph's DPOY case, Campbell sticking to identity, and an overdue mea culpa on offseason decision
Approximately 38,000 feet over Colorado — Here are three observations after a second viewing and a night to ponder the Detroit Lions’ 40-34 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
A ‘Zuper’ case for DPOY
Jared Goff isn’t winning MVP. It’s almost certainly going to one of the top quarterbacks in the AFC, either Buffalo’s Josh Allen or Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson.
Allen has had the momentum for a while, but, at this point, I’d argue sympathy for his bridesmaid status the past few years is weighing too heavily into his candidacy. Jackson's having a superior season, even if the Ravens have won two fewer games.
Jackson, a two-time and reigning MVP, had had the best passing season of his career. Honestly, it's not particularly close. He leads the league in passer rating and QBR, ranks second in touchdowns tosses (39), is completing nearly 69% of his passes, and his 8.9 yards per attempt also tops the NFL. Oh, and he’s thrown just four interceptions.
Add in the fact Jackson remains the best and most efficient running threat at his position and I’d argue the choice is clear. Still, Allen might win because there’s a prevailing sentiment he’s due.
But back to Goff. I was dismissive of his chances in October for many of the same reasons I am today. Despite ranking top-five in yards, touchdowns, completion percentage and passer rating, Goff’s lack of dual-threat production requires his passing stats to blow his peers out of the water. And, the reality is, Jackson has been statistically better as a thrower, almost across the board.
Still, with the modern MVP ballot now listing each voter's top three choices, expect Detroit’s QB to get a little love, and deservedly so. He’s had a career year, has elevated his consistency to previously unseen levels, and has led the Lions to a 14-2 record heading into the season finale. It’s been a remarkable year, arguably the best for a quarterback in franchise history, and that merits recognition beyond the home and road crowds chanting his name every week.
But let’s flip the conversation to the league’s Defensive Player of the Year. In November, I prematurely made a fringe case for Lions safety Brian Branch. But unlike Goff, who strengthened his candidacy as the season progressed, Branch has faded. He’s no less a great player, but he hasn’t been as consistently impactful as he was early in the year.
Kerby Joseph, on the other hand, is generating some legitimate buzz as we near the finish line after snagging two interceptions against the 49ers in front of a national audience. That brings his tally to a league-leading nine, the most by a Lions defender in four decades.