2012 NFL Picks and Predictions: Top 5 MVP Candidates: With just three weeks remaining the NFL’s regular season, the race for this year’s Most Valuable Player Award is heating up. Unlike in years past, there isn’t a clear frontrunner or even one or two players that have separated themselves. Instead, there are at least a handful of candidates changing positions by the week, and it looks like the MVP race is going to go down to the wire. With that in mind, here is a look at how the leading candidates stack up heading into the final few games.
2012 NFL Picks and Predictions: Top 5 MVP Candidates
1. Adrian Peterson, Running Back, Minnesota Vikings
I have watched the Vikings play a lot this year, and two things have become apparent. Peterson must be a robot or at the very least a cyborg of some sort and quarterback Christian Ponder is terrible. Despite having no passing game to take pressure off of him, Peterson is leading the NFL in rushing with 1,600 yards and is averaging 6.0 yards per carry. In fact, he has rushed for more than 300 yards than the next closest player and has Minnesota in playoff contention basically by himself. Every team that faces the Vikings knows that it has to shut down Peterson to win, but he still finds a way to gash opponents anyway. The guy has been a workhorse and a stud and has been piling up incredible numbers despite being a few months removed from knee surgery.
2. Tom Brady, Quarterback, New England Patriots
Aaron Hernandez, Rob Gronkowski and Wes Welker have all missed time and been banged up, but the Patriots have been the highest-scoring offense in the NFL thanks to Brady. He owns the top quarterback rating, ranks third in passing touchdowns and is fifth in yards. More importantly, Brady has been the model of efficiency, tossing his 29 touchdowns while throwing just four interceptions. He has been carving up defenses all season, and it doesn’t seem to matter who he has around him catching the ball. The Patriots are 10-3 and have now won at least 10 games in each of the last 10 years.
3. Peyton Manning, Quarterback, Denver Broncos
He hasn’t missed a beat since returning from neck surgery that cost him all of last season. Manning is fourth in the NFL in quarterback rating and leading the league in total QBR. His 30 touchdowns are the second most in the league, and he also owns the second-best completion percentage. Most importantly, he has the Broncos sitting at 10-3 and heading to the playoffs as AFC West champs. He already has four MVPs to his credit, and he could be adding another one after this season is over.
4. Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback, Green Bay Packers
After his unbelievable numbers last season, Rodgers has become a victim of his own success. Yes, his numbers have taken a dip, but he is still in the top five in quarterback rating, completion percentage and touchdowns. Not to mention the fact that he has piled up his numbers despite having no running game to back him up, a banged up receiving corps and being sacked more than any QB in the league. In many ways, Rodgers has done even more for his team this year than last. It hasn’t been as pretty, but it has been gritty, gutsy and MVP worthy.
5. Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts
He has as many touchdowns as interceptions and doesn’t make the flashy plays of fellow rookie QB Robert Griffin III, but Luck deserves to be in the MVP conversation for the simple fact that he has the Colts winning games. Keep in mind that this team won two games a year ago and was the worst in the NFL. The only major change to the roster was drafting Luck, and now, they are sitting at 9-4 with a great shot at making the playoffs. Luck has already helped Indianapolis improve its win total by seven games and is closing in on 4,000 yards in the process. If the Colts win 10-plus games and secure a playoff spot, Luck deserves Rookie of the Year honors and maybe even the MVP.
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