Philip Rivers will climb up MVP ranks after Week 7

Expect another outstanding performance by Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers in Week 7, which will strengthen his already growing MVP resume. 

Discussions surrounding the NFL’s Most Valuable Player have been dominated by Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes so far this season. The electrifying second-year gunslinger has been jaw-dropping through six weeks, leading the Kansas City Chiefs to a strong 5-1 record. But another AFC West quarterback is starting to make a case of his own for MVP honors.

And if he strings together another excellent performance against the Tennessee Titans in Week 7, then expect Chargers quarterback Rivers to continue his rise up the MVP ranks.

After starting the season 1-2, the Chargers have reeled off three straight wins to improve to 4-2, placing them second in the AFC West behind the Chiefs. The 36-year-old signal caller has been the key to L.A.’s recent success, and he’s gaining recognition for his efforts.

CBS Sports Senior Writer Will Brinson placed him second in his NFL Week7 power rankings. Brinson said Rivers’ output against the Cleveland Browns was not dazzling, but his 2018 campaign has been.

“Didn’t have big stats in the blowout win over the Browns, but Rivers is playing as well as anyone in the NFL right now.” – Will Brinson, CBS Sports Senior Writer

The Decatur, AL. native has been extremley efficient through six weeks this season. Rivers has tossed 15 passing touchdowns to just three interceptions off 1,702 passing yards and is completing 68.6 percent of his passes. His touchdown passes total is third in the NFL behind Mahomes (18) and Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts (16).

Rivers’ 115.1 passer rating is second in the league behind New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Bress, who has a 122.3 mark.

His ability to slice and dice a defense has been highlighted this season, as Rivers has recorded a completion percentage of 80-plus twice. The first instance came in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills when he nailed 85.2 percent of his attempts. His second outing came against the Oakland Raiders in Week 5 when he completed 81.5 percent of his passes.

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Expect this MVP-caliber trend to continue against the Titans on Sunday in London, England, the Chargers second-ever trip overseas. Tennessee’s secondary has played well in 2018 by giving up just 214.7 passing yards in six games. But they have faced a below-average crop of quarterbacks including the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Blake Bortles, Miami Dolphins’ Ryan Tannehill and Buffalo Bills rookie Josh Allen.

Furthermore, the best quarterback they have faced is Carson Wentz of the Philadelphia Eagles, who recorded 348 passing yards and two touchdown passes in their Week 4 tilt.

It is fair to say Rivers will be the finest quarterback they face to this point in the year. What does not help Tennessee is they are fresh off a demoralizing 21-0 loss to the Baltimore Ravens as they make the long trek to London.

The longtime Chargers signal caller is playing at an MVP-level in 2018 and the trend will carry over to Sunday’s affair with the Titans. And if this prediction becomes reality, Rivers will only enhance his argument for the prestigious award, giving Mahomes a legitimate challenger in this hotly-debated topic.