The Hail Mary touchdown by the Washington Commanders is already a top contender for the NFL play of the year, and it will be challenging to surpass.

With just two seconds on the clock, Jayden Daniels stepped back to throw, moving right before drifting back toward the left hash mark. He launched the ball downfield.

His throw, initially tipped before reaching the end zone, landed perfectly in the hands of receiver Noah Brown as time expired, resulting in a spectacular 52-yard game-winning touchdown against the Chicago Bears.

Could this moment propel Daniels, the rookie star quarterback for the Commanders, back to the forefront of the NFL MVP conversation?

Here are the latest MVP rankings from YSL News Sports following Week 8:

5. Bills QB Josh Allen, unchanged

Josh Allen helped the Buffalo Bills secure a 31-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks last week, completing 24 of 34 passes for 283 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, which led to four touchdown drives in total.

With 14 touchdown passes and a QBR of 73.7, Allen ranks fourth in the NFL. The Bills also rank second in touchdowns scored this season with 28 and sit fifth with an average of 28.8 points per game.

The Bills are leading the AFC East, while their rivals Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, and New York Jets have all managed only two wins each as of Week 8.

4. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, unchanged

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs remain the only unbeaten team in the NFL at 7-0, maintaining his MVP candidacy despite inconsistent stats. Last week, he completed 27 of 38 attempts for 262 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception against the Las Vegas Raiders, securing a 27-20 win.

Mahomes boasts a passing success rate of 51.5%, ranking fourth behind quarterbacks Baker Mayfield, Joe Burrow, and Lamar Jackson. His 67.0 QBR stands seventh in the league. However, he also leads the league with nine interceptions this season. His statistics show an 68.4 completion percentage (eighth), eight touchdown passes (tied for 10th), and 235.9 yards per game (13th), with his 1,651 passing yards ranking 16th.

Despite his statistical challenges, Mahomes and the Chiefs keep winning and are on track for a third straight Super Bowl title.

3. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, stock down

After holding the top spot for two weeks, Lamar Jackson’s MVP ranking slipped in Week 8 following a 29-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns, led by Jameis Winston.

Jackson threw two touchdown throws, and the Ravens had a 24-23 lead after Derrick Henry’s 2-yard touchdown with 2:36 left. However, he found himself outperformed by a backup quarterback.

The Ravens experienced a frustrating setback after winning five games in a row, complicating their race for the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs against the undefeated Chiefs.

2. Lions QB Jared Goff, unchanged

Jared Goff had an unusual performance in the Detroit Lions’ 52-14 triumph over the Tennessee Titans, finishing 12 of 15 for 85 yards with three touchdown passes while also leading three additional touchdown drives. The Lions additionally scored on a 90-yard punt return and a 72-yard kickoff return.

This collective effort propelled the Lions to a 6-1 record, establishing them as the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Detroit leads the league, scoring an average of 33.4 points per game. Goff remains in the No. 2 spot in our rankings, but one player surpassed him in Week 8.

1. Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, stock up

Look who has reclaimed the top spot in our MVP rankings: Jayden Daniels is back at No. 1 following Week 8. His remarkable Hail Mary win against the Bears cannot be overlooked.

The significance of Daniels to Washington cannot be overstated: The second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has delivered the most significant play of the season, maintaining Washington’s lead in the NFC East and positioning them second in the playoff standings behind the Lions.

Although he has only seven touchdown passes, the Commanders rank fifth in the league with 24 touchdowns this season. He is leading the NFL’s third-highest scoring offense, averaging 29.5 points per game. Daniels has a strong chance of becoming the second rookie ever to win the NFL MVP, a feat last achieved by Jim Brown in 1957.