A surprising name is emerging as a bonafide MVP candidate among the quarterbacks selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draftfirst round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Josh Allen is there, again putting up numbers to rival his career averages. Baker Mayfield, too, is making a run at another outstanding season. Both have been here before, with Allen the reigning MVP and perennial candidate. Mayfield holds his own accolades, relaunching his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in recent seasons.

It is Sam Darnold, however, leading the pack in his eighth season.

Darnold looked like a bust up until a breakout performance with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024. Thrust into the starting role, Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 record, throwing for 4,319 yards while completing 66.2 percent of his pass attempts. Darnold tossed 35 touchdowns against 12 interceptions, though he did have his struggles in the last regular season game and in the playoffs.

Through the season's first nine weeks, Allen, Mayfield, and Darnold sit with a combined record of 18-6. Even Lamar Jackson, had he not been injured and the Baltimore Ravens struggled, is putting up decent stats. So far, though, it is Darnold's season to be sitting in the top spot.

Sam Darnold

Proving the 2024 season with the Vikings was no fluke, Darnold has the Seattle Seahawks (6-2) in first place in the NFC West. 

This season, Darnold has four games in which he has thrown for 250+ yards, including crossing the 300-yard mark in two of the last four. In a week 9 victory over Washington, Darnold was nearly flawless, completing 21-24 for 330 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception.

A strong running game backing Darnold up, plus a penchant for avoiding sacks (only nine times this season) are helping Darnold and the Seahawks find success.

No road is easy in the NFL but theoretically, Seattle could emerge from its next stretch of games with a record of 9-3 or 10-2. If either of those occur, chances are it's because of Darnold, where in turn he cements his status as MVP candidate. 

Next four weeks: vs ARI (11/9), @ LAR (11/16), @ TEN (11/23), vs MIN (11/30)

Josh Allen

Heading into the stretch of games for weeks five through nine, the schedule for the Buffalo Bills pointed to the possibility of an 8-0 start to open the season.

Instead, a home loss to a surprising New England Patriots squad, followed by a loss to the Falcons, had the Bills (6-2) in a slight tailspin. Thankfully, Allen and Buffalo rallied, winning their last two games.

The most recent was another classic with Kansas City, prevailing at home with a 28-21 victory. In that game, Allen was in vintage form, completing 23 of 26 passes for 273 yards and accounting for three touchdowns.

Allen is completing 70.4 percent of his pass attempts, with 1,833 yards and 13 touchdown passes. Three of his four interceptions happened in the two losses, and Allen has three games this season in which he threw for under 200 yards.

On the ground, the MVP has 280 yards and seven touchdowns.

The schedule for Allen and the Bills has moderate difficulty ahead, with a game against fellow first-rounder Mayfield and a road game at Pittsburgh on the agenda. Still, a 9-3 record after this stretch is a strong possibility, and hopes of moving out of second place (behind the Patriots) a huge goal.

Next four weeks: @ MIA (11/9), vs TB (11/16), @ HOU (11/20), @ PIT (11/30)

Baker Mayfield

Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2) are battling injuries and living on the edge this season. Yet they keep on finding ways to win. The Bucs completed another 3-1 stretch, with Mayfield again leading the team to a comeback victory (against Darnold and the Seahawks, nonetheless).

Two other wins, against the San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints, were by an average of 14.5 points, keeping the heart rate low for a couple of weeks.

Mayfield (28-50, 228 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 4 sacks) had a rough outing in a 24-9 loss to the Detroit Lions. And the numbers weren't spectacular against the Saints. However, against Seattle, Mayfield had an MVP-worthy performance, where he completed 29-33 for 379 yards and two touchdown passes.

The former top-pick ranks lowest of these four quarterbacks in completion percentage (63.9) this season. However, Mayfield has 1,919 passing yards with 13 touchdown passes against only two interceptions.

Sacks are a minor concern, with Mayfield getting sacked 17 times this season.

A true barometer for this injury-riddled Bucs team is on the horizon in the coming weeks, starting with the Patriots. Mayfield has Tampa Bay in first place in the NFC South and it will be interesting to see where they are after week 13 and this upcoming difficult stretch.

Next four weeks: vs NE (11/9), @ BUF (11/16), @ LAR (11/23), vs ARI (11/30)

Lamar Jackson

A hamstring injury kept Jackson sidelined for three games, two of which were losses where the Baltimore Ravens scored a combined 13 points. Baltimore managed a win against the Chicago Bears with Jackson out, then picked up a 28-6 win over the Miami Dolphins in his return.

Jackson took care of business, throwing four touchdowns while completing 18 of 23 for 204 yards.

The Ravens are currently 3-5, two games back of the Steelers in the AFC North.

If not for the injury, Jackson could very well be at the top of the list through season eight's midpoint. He is completing 72.9 percent of passes in five games, with 1,073 yards 14 touchdowns and only one interception. In totaling 180 yards on the ground, Jackson averages 6.9 yards per carry.

Big chances are on the horizon for Jackson and the Ravens to stay in the thick of the AFC playoff race. Chances are good the team goes 3-1 during the upcoming stretch, bringing them back to .500. 

Next four weeks: @ MIN (11/9), @ CLE (11/16), vs NYJ (11/23), vs CIN (11/27)

Josh Rosen

Josh Rosen is off pursuing other endeavors and no longer active on an NFL roster.

Be sure to check back in after week 13 to see how these quarterbacks continue to fare in their eighth season in the NFL.

Read more on Season 8:

Season 8 preview Blazing start for QBs through first four weeks