Author: Max Greenberg
I think everyone can agree that this has been one of the more unpredictable NFL seasons in several years. There have been countless stunning upsets, and just when we think a certain player or team is at the top of the league, there is a new narrative the very next week or even day.
The MVP race has certainly been no different. The frontrunner at the beginning of the season was looking like Kyler Murray, but he fell out due to injuries and late-season ineffectiveness.
Derrick Henry looked like he had a good shot at one point, but his midseason foot injury took him right out of the race. Tom Brady even looked like he had a chance as well, but a shutout loss to the Saints at home in Week 15 might have derailed his chances, and with injuries to his top three weapons, it is going to be an uphill battle for him.
In terms of finding a list of clear cut players who are square in the mix for the most prestigious individual award in the NFL, it is really hard this year. There are usually around five quarterbacks who are clearly in the discussion, but that is not the case this year.
It is the boring answer because he won it last year, but it is looking more and more like it is Aaron Rodgers’ to lose this year. When you look at his stats, his team’s record, and the amount of bad games that he has had, he has been the best player in the NFL this season. There is an even stronger case to be made for his chances given that in the game that he did not play, the Green Bay Packers’ offense was stifled and only put up seven points.
There has been much discussion about Jonathan Taylor winning MVP, but that would be a hypocritical move by the NFL if they awarded it to him. Context matters yes, and the overall level of play is much worse than it was last year, at least in terms of results and stats. That being said, if Henry can have the season he did last year and not even be in consideration, by no means should Taylor win it.
Considering the current odds and how Rodgers’ performance has been in comparison to everyone else in the league, he should be given MVP for the second year in a row. It just does not make sense that anyone else, expect MAYBE Brady, should have a realistic chance.
SPORTS ARE OUR UNIVERSE
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