Darth_Pelican
10-01-2013, 02:58 PM
NFL MVP Race: Peyton Manning Streets Ahead After Four Weeks Of The Season
We are now a quarter of the way through the NFL season. Some teams are preparing for a Playoff push, while others are already planning for the 2014 campaign.
We have seen some sensational performances thus far, but who is in contention to win the coveted Most Valuable Player award?
Here are the early front-runners:
1. Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos:
If they were giving out this award now, then Manning would have this comfortably won. He has been nothing short of phenomenal through the first four games and is on pace to smash every passing record imaginable.
While some starting quarterbacks will struggle to get 16 passing touchdowns this year, Manning has accomplished this in just four games. He has completed 75% of his throws, gaining 1,470 yards through the air with a quarterback rating of 138.0. If these staggering statistics weren't enough, the fact that the 37-year-old has yet to throw an interception makes his start even more remarkable.
The first overall pick in the 1998 draft is on pace to throw for 64 touchdowns and 5,880 yards, which would be the greatest single-season for a quarterback in the history of the NFL.
While these astronomical numbers may not be achieved, it's clear that Manning is a class above his peers on current form. This is why the Denver Broncos are favourites for the Super Bowl and why their quarterback is the runaway leader in the MVP race so far.
2. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints:
If there is one person keeping up with Manning then it is the Saints' quarterback Drew Brees.
Continuing his frightening form he has displayed since his arrival in New Orleans, the 34-year-old has disected every defense that he has come up against so far this season with almost surgical precision.
Having his head coach, Sean Payton, back on the sideline calling plays has made Brees even better and he has so many weapons at his disposal, it is simply impossible to cover everybody for four quarters.
In the first four games alone, Brees has thrown for 1,453 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions, which comes with the territory when you throw the ball so often. He is completing 66.9% of his passes and has achieved a quarterback rating of 103.8, the best of his career after four games to date.
One thing that will concern the Saints is the amount that Brees is getting sacked. He has avoided such complications in the past by getting rid of the ball quickly, but even that isn't papering over the cracks at the start of the 2013 campaign.
If this problem can be resolved, then Brees should continue to put up incomprehensible numbers and give the Saints a real chance of success in the postseason.
3. Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers:
After a horrific 2012, many had written off the Chargers quarterback following his inept performances that contributed to Norv Turner losing his job and the team missing out on the Playoffs once again.
In fairness to the 31-year-old, his offensive line was an abomination and he spent the majority of the season flat on his back. Even though the Chargers have started this season 2-2, it looks like Rivers is back to his brilliant best under center.
He has been sacked six times in the opening four games, which believe it or not is a marked improvement compared to the previous campaign. You can tell this by the stats Rivers has put up so far, which makes him worthy of MVP consideration.
The quarterback has been a revelation so far this term, completing 73.9% of his passes for 1,199 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has put the team on his back and even though their record doesn't show it yet, the Chargers are a lot closer to the Playoffs than they have been over the last couple of seasons and they have Rivers to thank for this.
The protection is still a concern, as is the lack of a consistent running game, but if Rivers continues to play at such a high level, then a trip to Hawaii at the season's conclusion is virtually a guarantee.
4. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots:
With all the turmoil surrounding the Patriots this offseason, many experts were predicting the team to struggle significantly in 2013.
Those "experts" forgot about Tom Brady.
Despite playing with inexperienced receivers who have dropped their fair share of passes this season, the quarterback is still playing at an All-Pro level. He has thrown for 1,014 yards, 7 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions. His 58% completion percentage may be less than he's used to, but when you consider the talent around him, it is still an exceptional total.
Brady's receiving corps were decimated over the summer, and somehow he still has the Patriots contending for a championship. The offense is only going to get better as his chemistry with the young receiving group improves, so come Playoff time a showdown with Manning and the Broncos for the AFC Championship is a distinct possibility.
5. Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks:
While RG3 may get all the headlines, Wilson is now leading the most complete team in the NFC. He has continued to develop his game and it is now apparent that his sensational rookie season was no fluke.
Wilson plays with a maturity way beyond his years, having led the team on two fourth quarter comebacks already in 2013. He can beat you with his arm or his feet, as he is adept of escaping pressure and moving the chains running the football. The former Wisconsin product is averaging 4.9 yards a carry this season, which defenses have to account for, making this Seahawks offense even more dangerous.
While he doesn't fill up the stat sheet like Manning or Brady, he is a tremendous leader who makes good decisions, making sure that this "run-first" offense keeps ticking over supremely well.
With a 61.5% completion percentage, Wilson has thrown for 787 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions. These aren't eye-popping numbers, but it is enough for Seattle to have a record of 4-0 and with receiver Percy Harvin set to return in Week 7, things look set to get even better for the 24-year-old's future prospects.
6. Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions:
The Lions were the biggest underachievers in football last season, but their quarterback was still putting up tremendous numbers, aiding Calvin Johnson in breaking the single-season receiving record for a wide receiver.
Still, football is a team game, so things had to get better this year for the former Bulldog to be considered among the elite signal-callers in football.
Luckily for Stafford and the Lions, they have made a blistering start to 2013. He has improved his quarterback rating to 96.2, up 13 points on his career average. His effectiveness throwing the football hasn't altered, the 1,262 yards gained this season tells you that. But the fact that the Lions boast a 3-1 record means this will be a far more profitable season than 2012, despite all the individual acclaim he received.
Who knows if Detroit can keep their form going for a 16-game season. They do appear to be a rejuvenated group, which can only bode well for their chances of returning to the postseason.
7. Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts:
It seems difficult to envisage how any team could get rid of a player like Peyton Manning, especially when he is playing at the level he is currently.
The Colts did, and the reason was Andrew Luck.
The second-year player has lived up to the hype since his arrival into the league, and will be the Colts franchise quarterback for the next ten years.
They were a surprise playoff team a year ago, but nothing about their 3-1 start in 2013 comes as a shock. As expected, Luck has been the catalyst, throwing for 918 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. He has also done some damage running the football and already has two touchdowns to his name with the ball in his hands.
A 64.2% completion percentage and a 91.9 quarterback rating indicates that the former Stanford standout is improving with every game, which makes the Colts a definite dark horse in the AFC. Even though they sit in the same division as the Houston Texans, with Luck under center Chuck Pagano's men will feel like anything is possible.
It's unlikely he will win the MVP award this season, mainly due to the exceptionally high standards the man he replaced is setting, but it would be a foolish man who would bet against him winning one in the future.
8. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers:
One of the preseason favourites to lift the Lombardi trophy, the Packers entered their bye-week with plenty of adjustments to make to get their season back on track following a 1-2 start.
The standard of their quarterback play is not one of them.
While the rest of the team has it's difficulties, Rodgers is once again thriving. He has thrown for 1,057 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions so far this year, with a 66.4% completion rate and a 105.1 quarterback rating, which is what was expected of the All-Pro at the start of the season.
There's no doubt he will want to avoid anymore turnovers, as three picks at this stage of the season is a little out of character, but overall it has been a very positive start for Rodgers and he remains one of the best at his position in the NFL.
9. Alex Smith, QB, Kansas City Chiefs:
The Chiefs have been the surprise of the season so far, and their quarterback is a huge reason for their transformation, which is why he should be considered for this award.
The worst team in the NFL last year are now in with a legitimate shot of making the postseason and Smith's composure under center has done wonders for this franchise.
The former 49er has completed 60.6% of his passes this season, gaining 957 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions. While these may not be remarkable stats like most of the quarterbacks on this list, Smith's game-management and ability to handle pressure are second-to-none.
The Chiefs are 4-0 and look a completely different outfit from the team that disgraced themselves for most of last season. Coach Andy Reid should take the majority of the praise, but having a dependable quarterback who takes care of the football has been crucial to their success.
Whether it can continue or not is another matter entirely.
10. Jimmy Graham, TE, New Orleans Saints:
The only non-quarterback on this list, Graham has been unplayable so far in 2013, continuing his emergence as the best tight end in football.
At 6'7, he is too big and strong for cornerbacks to cover, and is too fast and elusive for linebackers to cope with, so he really is a matchup
nightmare for opposing defenses.
Graham already has 27 receptions, 458 yards and six touchdowns to his name so far, as Sean Payton is maximising his potential by lining him up everywhere on the field. His route running is exceptional and is able to leap higher than anybody by some distance to claim a pass, making him a quarterback's dream.
He is a certainty to be an All-Pro based on his current form and he is on pace to have the greatest season in the history of the tight end position, so Graham is well worth a spot on this list.
We are now a quarter of the way through the NFL season. Some teams are preparing for a Playoff push, while others are already planning for the 2014 campaign.
We have seen some sensational performances thus far, but who is in contention to win the coveted Most Valuable Player award?
Here are the early front-runners:
1. Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos:
If they were giving out this award now, then Manning would have this comfortably won. He has been nothing short of phenomenal through the first four games and is on pace to smash every passing record imaginable.
While some starting quarterbacks will struggle to get 16 passing touchdowns this year, Manning has accomplished this in just four games. He has completed 75% of his throws, gaining 1,470 yards through the air with a quarterback rating of 138.0. If these staggering statistics weren't enough, the fact that the 37-year-old has yet to throw an interception makes his start even more remarkable.
The first overall pick in the 1998 draft is on pace to throw for 64 touchdowns and 5,880 yards, which would be the greatest single-season for a quarterback in the history of the NFL.
While these astronomical numbers may not be achieved, it's clear that Manning is a class above his peers on current form. This is why the Denver Broncos are favourites for the Super Bowl and why their quarterback is the runaway leader in the MVP race so far.
2. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints:
If there is one person keeping up with Manning then it is the Saints' quarterback Drew Brees.
Continuing his frightening form he has displayed since his arrival in New Orleans, the 34-year-old has disected every defense that he has come up against so far this season with almost surgical precision.
Having his head coach, Sean Payton, back on the sideline calling plays has made Brees even better and he has so many weapons at his disposal, it is simply impossible to cover everybody for four quarters.
In the first four games alone, Brees has thrown for 1,453 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions, which comes with the territory when you throw the ball so often. He is completing 66.9% of his passes and has achieved a quarterback rating of 103.8, the best of his career after four games to date.
One thing that will concern the Saints is the amount that Brees is getting sacked. He has avoided such complications in the past by getting rid of the ball quickly, but even that isn't papering over the cracks at the start of the 2013 campaign.
If this problem can be resolved, then Brees should continue to put up incomprehensible numbers and give the Saints a real chance of success in the postseason.
3. Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers:
After a horrific 2012, many had written off the Chargers quarterback following his inept performances that contributed to Norv Turner losing his job and the team missing out on the Playoffs once again.
In fairness to the 31-year-old, his offensive line was an abomination and he spent the majority of the season flat on his back. Even though the Chargers have started this season 2-2, it looks like Rivers is back to his brilliant best under center.
He has been sacked six times in the opening four games, which believe it or not is a marked improvement compared to the previous campaign. You can tell this by the stats Rivers has put up so far, which makes him worthy of MVP consideration.
The quarterback has been a revelation so far this term, completing 73.9% of his passes for 1,199 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has put the team on his back and even though their record doesn't show it yet, the Chargers are a lot closer to the Playoffs than they have been over the last couple of seasons and they have Rivers to thank for this.
The protection is still a concern, as is the lack of a consistent running game, but if Rivers continues to play at such a high level, then a trip to Hawaii at the season's conclusion is virtually a guarantee.
4. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots:
With all the turmoil surrounding the Patriots this offseason, many experts were predicting the team to struggle significantly in 2013.
Those "experts" forgot about Tom Brady.
Despite playing with inexperienced receivers who have dropped their fair share of passes this season, the quarterback is still playing at an All-Pro level. He has thrown for 1,014 yards, 7 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions. His 58% completion percentage may be less than he's used to, but when you consider the talent around him, it is still an exceptional total.
Brady's receiving corps were decimated over the summer, and somehow he still has the Patriots contending for a championship. The offense is only going to get better as his chemistry with the young receiving group improves, so come Playoff time a showdown with Manning and the Broncos for the AFC Championship is a distinct possibility.
5. Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks:
While RG3 may get all the headlines, Wilson is now leading the most complete team in the NFC. He has continued to develop his game and it is now apparent that his sensational rookie season was no fluke.
Wilson plays with a maturity way beyond his years, having led the team on two fourth quarter comebacks already in 2013. He can beat you with his arm or his feet, as he is adept of escaping pressure and moving the chains running the football. The former Wisconsin product is averaging 4.9 yards a carry this season, which defenses have to account for, making this Seahawks offense even more dangerous.
While he doesn't fill up the stat sheet like Manning or Brady, he is a tremendous leader who makes good decisions, making sure that this "run-first" offense keeps ticking over supremely well.
With a 61.5% completion percentage, Wilson has thrown for 787 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions. These aren't eye-popping numbers, but it is enough for Seattle to have a record of 4-0 and with receiver Percy Harvin set to return in Week 7, things look set to get even better for the 24-year-old's future prospects.
6. Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions:
The Lions were the biggest underachievers in football last season, but their quarterback was still putting up tremendous numbers, aiding Calvin Johnson in breaking the single-season receiving record for a wide receiver.
Still, football is a team game, so things had to get better this year for the former Bulldog to be considered among the elite signal-callers in football.
Luckily for Stafford and the Lions, they have made a blistering start to 2013. He has improved his quarterback rating to 96.2, up 13 points on his career average. His effectiveness throwing the football hasn't altered, the 1,262 yards gained this season tells you that. But the fact that the Lions boast a 3-1 record means this will be a far more profitable season than 2012, despite all the individual acclaim he received.
Who knows if Detroit can keep their form going for a 16-game season. They do appear to be a rejuvenated group, which can only bode well for their chances of returning to the postseason.
7. Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts:
It seems difficult to envisage how any team could get rid of a player like Peyton Manning, especially when he is playing at the level he is currently.
The Colts did, and the reason was Andrew Luck.
The second-year player has lived up to the hype since his arrival into the league, and will be the Colts franchise quarterback for the next ten years.
They were a surprise playoff team a year ago, but nothing about their 3-1 start in 2013 comes as a shock. As expected, Luck has been the catalyst, throwing for 918 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. He has also done some damage running the football and already has two touchdowns to his name with the ball in his hands.
A 64.2% completion percentage and a 91.9 quarterback rating indicates that the former Stanford standout is improving with every game, which makes the Colts a definite dark horse in the AFC. Even though they sit in the same division as the Houston Texans, with Luck under center Chuck Pagano's men will feel like anything is possible.
It's unlikely he will win the MVP award this season, mainly due to the exceptionally high standards the man he replaced is setting, but it would be a foolish man who would bet against him winning one in the future.
8. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers:
One of the preseason favourites to lift the Lombardi trophy, the Packers entered their bye-week with plenty of adjustments to make to get their season back on track following a 1-2 start.
The standard of their quarterback play is not one of them.
While the rest of the team has it's difficulties, Rodgers is once again thriving. He has thrown for 1,057 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions so far this year, with a 66.4% completion rate and a 105.1 quarterback rating, which is what was expected of the All-Pro at the start of the season.
There's no doubt he will want to avoid anymore turnovers, as three picks at this stage of the season is a little out of character, but overall it has been a very positive start for Rodgers and he remains one of the best at his position in the NFL.
9. Alex Smith, QB, Kansas City Chiefs:
The Chiefs have been the surprise of the season so far, and their quarterback is a huge reason for their transformation, which is why he should be considered for this award.
The worst team in the NFL last year are now in with a legitimate shot of making the postseason and Smith's composure under center has done wonders for this franchise.
The former 49er has completed 60.6% of his passes this season, gaining 957 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions. While these may not be remarkable stats like most of the quarterbacks on this list, Smith's game-management and ability to handle pressure are second-to-none.
The Chiefs are 4-0 and look a completely different outfit from the team that disgraced themselves for most of last season. Coach Andy Reid should take the majority of the praise, but having a dependable quarterback who takes care of the football has been crucial to their success.
Whether it can continue or not is another matter entirely.
10. Jimmy Graham, TE, New Orleans Saints:
The only non-quarterback on this list, Graham has been unplayable so far in 2013, continuing his emergence as the best tight end in football.
At 6'7, he is too big and strong for cornerbacks to cover, and is too fast and elusive for linebackers to cope with, so he really is a matchup
nightmare for opposing defenses.
Graham already has 27 receptions, 458 yards and six touchdowns to his name so far, as Sean Payton is maximising his potential by lining him up everywhere on the field. His route running is exceptional and is able to leap higher than anybody by some distance to claim a pass, making him a quarterback's dream.
He is a certainty to be an All-Pro based on his current form and he is on pace to have the greatest season in the history of the tight end position, so Graham is well worth a spot on this list.