Why not Sam Darnold for MVP?

After Sunday’s five-touchdown performance from Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, my son asked a simple question: How is Jared Goff considered an MVP candidate and not Darnold?

He’s right. Darnold should be a candidate, if Goff is. But while Goff’s betting odds currently land in the range of 10-1, Darnold is more like 50-1.

Darnold currently ranks sixth in passing yards (3,299) and fourth in passing touchdowns (28). (Goff has 3,265 yards and 25 passing touchdowns.)

And despite that run of crazy-high passer-rating games, Goff’s full-season rating of 109.1 is only one point higher than Darnold’s, at 108.1.

Here’s the key. The Vikings — one of the most overlooked 11-2 teams in league history — can still get the No. 1 seed in the NFC. If they do that, how is Darnold not a prime candidate for MVP?

Yes, Bills quarterback Josh Allen is currently the favorite. And for good reason. Eagles running back Saquon Barkley could take it, too, if he sets the single-season rushing record. But this is about candidates, not favorites.

Darnold shouldn’t be a long shot; he should be in the same general neighborhood as Goff.

Especially after becoming the first Vikings quarterback since Daunte Culpepper in Week 1 of the 2004 season to throw for five touchdown passes in one game.