Raiders: Why Derek Carr could be the 2022 NFL MVP

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 12: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders throws the ball during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on December 12, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 12: Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders throws the ball during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on December 12, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
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Raiders
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 09: Defensive end Joey Bosa #97 of the Los Angeles Chargers speaks to quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of a game at Allegiant Stadium on January 09, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 35-32 in overtime. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)

Raiders: Why Derek Carr could be the 2022 NFL MVP

The Division

When it comes to the 2022 NFL season, the AFC West is by far the best division and boasts some of the elite talent in the league. At the quarterback spot, in particular, no other division even comes close, as Carr is joined by Russell Wilson (Denver Broncos), Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs), and Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers).

With quarterback being the position that wins the Most Valuable Player award on most occasions, and the division having four of the best in the NFL, whichever team wins the AFC West could give the signal-caller the inside track to win the award. The Raiders have enough talent on both sides of the ball to win the AFC West, especially with improvements on defense, and a win could put Carr in the driver’s seat to win MVP.

The six games the Raiders play against the Chiefs, Broncos, and Chargers should be must-see television, and down the stretch, if all teams are good, the games should be flexed to primetime. That would give Carr and the Raiders enough opportunities to bolster his MVP resume, and if they win the AFC West, he will be a huge reason why.

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