I have watched a multitude of games throughout the regular season and I feel I have a strong grasp on the MVP race. Being a fan of the sport for over twenty-five years I have learned a lot about the game and what makes someone an MVP in the NFL.
1. Aaron Rodgers is the front runner for the NFL MVP race and the information that follows makes a strong argument. With a completion percentage of 68.3 and six of those games played in inclement weather you can argue he is more accurate than any other quarterback based on the fact that the only other quarterback with a better completion percentage is Drew Breese with 71.2 and Drew Brees had zero games with rough weather. Aaron Rodgers led the NFL in yards per attempt with 9.25 yards almost .75 yards more than the next person Tom Brady. Playing in only 15 of the sixteen games Rodgers put up 45 touchdown passes and could have challenged Tom Brady’s single season record of 50 had he played the last game of the year. Aaron Rodgers is the only quarterback with over 500 pass attempts and registered less than ten interceptions. His touchdown to interception ratio is a staggering 7.5 touchdowns to one interception. More than doubling the next best passer Drew Brees with 3.28 Touchdowns to one interception. Aaron’s passer rating is a towering 122.5 and an NFL single season record that is 11.9 points higher than the next quarterback, Drew Brees. 2. Drew Brees is the clear runner up due to breaking a 27 year old record and being very efficient. Drew threw for an amazing 5,476 yards this year breaking Dan Marino’s record of 5,084 yards set back in 1984. Brees also is the only quarterback to obtain a completion percentage over 70 percent. This is a very remarkable stat because Brees threw the ball 657 times, second most in the NFL behind Matthew Stafford with 663. Drew Brees also led the NFL in touchdown passes with 46 one more than Aaron Rodgers. 3. Tom Brady sits at the number three spot, respectably. Brady threw for a ton of yards and had a very good passer rating. Brady threw for over 500 yards in the opening week against the Miami Dolphins and if it weren’t for playing in Foxboro in November and December he might have had a chance to challenge Drew Brees for the single season yards record. Brady threw for 5,235 yards second only to Drew Brees. With 39 touchdown passes and only twelve interceptions he had a very respectable 3.25 touchdown to interception ratio. Leading the AFC in yards; touchdowns; yards per attempt and passer rating he is clearly the number three MVP in the NFL.
In closing, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Tom Brady are the three most elite players in the NFL today, all deserving a shot at the Lombardi trophy. The facts and statistics all point to the clear winner being Aaron Rodgers who led the Packers to a 14-1 record with a first round bye and home field advantage through the playoffs.
References
http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/player