Could Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence win NFL MVP award? | Pro Football Talk | NFL on NBC

Trevor Lawrence's Stellar Season

• 🚀 Trevor Lawrence made a significant late run for the MVP award, with ballots submitted just before the Super Bowl announcement.
• 🏆 The Jacksonville Jaguars secured the division championship after a crucial victory over the Titans.
• 💡 A viral AI-generated image of Lawrence with grills was brought to life by the Jaguars' social media team, celebrating their success.
• ⚠️ There was debate regarding keeping Lawrence in the game longer than necessary to reach 4,000 passing yards, raising injury concerns.

Coaching Impact and Team Turnaround

• 👏 Liam Coen, the Jaguars' coach, was credited with getting the team on the right track, especially after a strong finish to the season.
• 📈 The AFC South transformed into one of the most competitive divisions in football, with the Jaguars fending off a late surge from the Texans.

Playoff Mindset and Dynamics

• 🧠 The playoffs demand a complete shift in mindset, rendering regular season performance irrelevant; the focus is solely on the next 60 minutes of play.
• ✅ Players must earn the right to continue to the next week, with the understanding that any game could be their last of the season.
• 🌟 The postseason is known for producing unexpected heroes, like Malcolm Butler, who rise to the occasion in critical moments.

Quarterback Trends in Playoffs

• 📊 A significant majority of the 14 playoff teams (12 of them) feature starting quarterbacks who were first-round draft picks.
• 🏈 The only exceptions are Jaylen Hurts of the Eagles and Brock Purdy of the 49ers, highlighting a trend in quarterback selection.

Future Outlook for Non-Playoff Teams

• 📉 Teams like the Vikings, despite a five-game winning streak to end the season, will now focus on planning for the next year.
• 💼 Brian Flores's future as the Vikings' defensive coordinator appears uncertain, with a high likelihood of him moving on, potentially to a head coach vacancy.