As the 2012 NFL Season draws to a close, I feel it is appropriate to doll out some hardware to players who deserve recognition for their on-field efforts this season. The 2012 Season proved to be another banner year for the greatest sports league on the planet, as several teams, coaches and players produced memorable performances and commanding efforts to keep fans tuned into the great soap opera that is Pro Football. Today I'll start by listing my candidates for the NFL's highest individual honor: The Associated Press National Football League Most Valuable Player Award. Keep in mind that this is my own personal opinion and you are certainly entitled to your own. This is just a comprehensive list of five players, whose season I feel is most deserving of the NFL's highest individual honor based on their spectacular statistics, performance as well as their overall contribution to their team's success this year.
5. Andrew Luck, QB Indianapolis Colts
339/627 (54.1%) 4374 yards, 7.0 ypa, 23 TDs 18 ints. 76.5 Passer Rating Total QBR: 65.0
If his numbers were better than you could make the case that Andrew Luck should be number one on this list. Coming into the season as the most highly touted rookie since the legend he replaced in the great Hoosier state, Andrew Luck not only lived up to the hype, he exceeded it by every measure. He's guided a Colts team that went 2-14 last season and was lacking any significant roster additions, while starting over with a new head coach and a new GM, to an 11-5 record and a playoff berth. Along the way he set several NFL records for a Rookie QB; throwing for a record 433 yards in a win over the Miami Dolphins, throwing for 4374 passing yards breaking Cam Newton's Rookie Record set in 2011 while finally, and most impressively, Luck tied Peyton Manning's NFL Record with his 7 Game-Winning Drives in the 4th Quarter or Overtime which is the most since the 1970 AFL-NFL Merger. The Stanford product has looked like a seasoned veteran throughout the season, overcoming a terrible O-Line, an ever-evolving group of receivers (W/ Reggie Wayne being the lone exception), as well as an inconsistent ground game and defense to lead the Colts to a postseason birth following one of the worst seasons in Franchise History. Luck was everything the Colts could've hoped for and then some. In terms of value, he may be the most indispensable player in the entire NFL as it seems unlikely that the Colts would have one win in 2012 without him. The only thing keeping Andrew Luck at No. 5 on this list is his high number of turnovers. Number 12 turned the football over 23 times this season and has contributed to his teams blowout losses as well as their need to constantly overcome deficits to win games against inferior competition. Also, his efficiency is underwhelming even for a rookie as his completion % is just over 50%, league average is always somewhere around 60%, and his Passer Rating is only 76.5 which is below the league average of 82 however this is partially due to Luck's high number of pass attempts. Despite his less than spectacular statistics, Luck's overall impact on his Franchise, his record setting-performances as well as the fact that he took over a 2 win team and carried it to a postseason birth will be enough for him to garner a few MVP votes and makes him a sure bet for Rookie of the Year.
4. Tom Brady, QB New England Patriots
401/637 (63.0%) 4827 yards, 7.6 ypa, 34 TDs 8 int. 98.7 Passer Rating Total QBR: 77.1
You could make the case for Tom Brady winning MVP every year, the guy is that good and that consistent. Aside from another man on this list you could make the case that Brady has been the best QB in the NFL for the past decade. While Brady has more records and accomplishments than I have time to list here, suffice it to say that anyone that has been to 5 Super Bowls, won 3 of them and is a Two-Time NFL MVP and SB MVP is always going to be in the conversation for League MVP. Brady is again playing the position at a high level, spearheading the league's top-ranked offense that averages an astounding 34.8 points per game. Brady has proven to be extremely adept at running the Patriots' up-tempo, fast-break no-huddle offense which is on-the field an average of nearly 75 plays a game. Despite losing two of his top targets in Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez at various points during the season, Brady continues to find success. He surpassed the 300 yard mark 8 times on the season and threw at least 1 TD in every game for the 3rd straight season. (He's currently thrown a TD pass in 48 consecutive games which is tied for the 2rd Longest Streak in NFL History) Brady's best attribute is his ability to post high volume numbers while also limiting his turnovers. Despite averaging nearly 40 attempts a game, Brady threw only 8 picks on the year and posted a 4:1 TD:Int Ratio which is tied with Washington's Robert Griffin III for the 2nd best TD:Int Ratio in the NFL. Brady also displayed a remarkably consistent string of accuracy in 2012, completing at least 60% of his passes in 13 straight games. The reason Brady sits at number 4 on this list is due to his regression in numbers towards the end of the season, his QB Rating dipped below 100 for the first time since Week 6, as well as his 1-3 Record vs. Top 5 Defenses. Brady managed to pick apart the Houston Texans in Week 14 for 296 yards and 4 TDs yet struggled in losses to the 49ers (36/65 (55.4%) 443 yards 1 TD 2 ints 68.9 Passer Rating), Seahawks (36/58 (62.1%) 395 yards 2 TDs 2 ints. 79.3 Passer Rating) and Cardinals (28/46 (60.9%) 316 yards 1 TD 1 int. 79.6 Passer Rating). That, plus lack-luster efforts in wins over the Dolphins (24/40 (60%) 238 yards 1 TD 1 int. 74.8 Passer Rating) and Jaguars (24/41 (58.5%) 267 yards 2 TDs 2 ints. 73.9 Passer Rating) have put a dent in what had been a strong late-season MVP push by Brady. When one looks at the statistics, Brady is having a down year compared to the efforts he put forth the past two seasons, (2010: 324/492 (65.9%) 3900 yards, 7.9 ypa, 36 TDs 4 int. 111.0 Passer Rating) (2011: 401/611 (65.6%) 5235 yards, 8.6 ypa, 39 TDs 12 int 105.6 Passer Rating) in spite of the fact that his running game and defense are vastly improved. While Brady may not be the leader in the MVP Race anymore, his consistent production in addition to being at the helm of the league's most balanced and explosive offense places him right in the middle of the MVP Race once again.
3. Aaron Rodgers, QB Green Bay Packers
371/552 (67.2%) 4295 yards, 7.8 ypa, 39 TDs 8 int. 108.0 Passer Rating Total QBR: 72.5
Like Brady, the case could be made that the reigning MVP should win the award every year. Despite virtually no rushing attack, a revolving door at wide receiver and playing behind an offensive line that allowed him to be sacked more times than any QB in the NFL; Rodgers just continues to produce. The former SB XLV MVP once again finished as the league's top rated quarterback, again leading the league in TD:Int Ratio and ranked second to only Drew Brees in TD passes. Rodgers is far and away the NFL's best Quarterback in terms of sheer talent and athletic ability. He combines the league's strongest arm with a lightening quick delivery to go along with pin point accuracy and a fast ball that is unmatched. Add that to his mobility, field vision and his outstanding knack for making plays outside the pocket; he is quite possibly the best QB in NFL History at throwing while on the run, and you have a player that is probably the most complete QB since Steve Young in his prime. What Rodgers is doing this season is made more impressive by the fact that his top wideout, Greg Jennings, has been out for all but 4 games, his star TE Jermichael Finley has virtually disappeared, while his Top Red Zone target, Jordy Nelson, has been injured off and on throughout the season. Despite these setbacks, Rodgers continues to produce, spreading the ball to all of his available weapons while leading the Packers to a second straight division title and the Number 3 seed in the playoffs. He has produced several standout games such as a 6 TD performance @ Houston on Sunday Night Football as well as a 55 point explosion in Week 16 against the Titans. Given his efficiency despite the injuries to his receiving core and playing behind a porous o-line, a case could be made that Rodgers is most deserving of MVP and should win the award for a 2nd Straight season. A solid argument could be made for Rodger's candidacy. Yet just like Brady, Rodgers' losses come into play and ultimately keep him from the No. 1 spot. Rodgers and the Packers were crushed in the Season Opener by the 49ers at home before having a win stolen from them by Russel Wilson and the Seahawks on the infamous "Simultaneous Catch Play". However, it was a mid-season loss to the Giants that kept Rodgers from winning a 2nd Straight MVP Award. On a national stage, Rodgers and the Packers were humiliated on the road 38-10 by the defending Super Bowl Champs as Rodgers finished 14/25 (56%) for 225 yards and only 1 TD with a pick.
2. Adrian Peterson, RB Minnesota Vikings
348 carries 2097 yards, 6.0 yards per carry, 12 TDs
Adrian Peterson, less than 8 months after tearing both his ACL and his MCL, became just the 6th running back in NFL History to rush for over 2000 yards in a season and finished just 8 yards shy of Eric Dickerson's Single Season Rushing Record. Peterson, or "All-Day" as he is called by fans, is definitively the best running back in the NFL. Peterson is a runner without peer: combining size, vision, power, breakaway speed, a killer stiff arm and just sheer relentlessness as he carves through 8 and 9 man fronts at will. Peterson has been nearly unstoppable this season as he's accounted for over a hundred yards rushing in 10 games including an 10 game stretch in which he accounted for an NFL record 1598 yards and 10 TDs, while averaging 7.4 yards per rush. Peterson's accomplishments are even more impressive when you consider that the Vikings have been without their only receiving threat in Percy Harvin since Midseason and feature a passing attack led by 2nd year QB Christian Ponder, who has failed to surpass 150 yards passing in 9 games this season. Peterson has been forced to carry the Vikings offense all year long despite the fact that defenses go into the game knowing that AP is the only player they have to stop. With a record of 10-6, Peterson has dragged the Vikings into the playoffs. Given the fact that his team is so dependent on him as well as his sheer dominance despite facing defenses geared to stop him, a case could be made that Peterson is most deserving of the MVP Award as the Vikings likely wouldn't have made it to the postseason, let alone have a winning record, without him. Yet ultimately there are a few factors that keep AP from claiming the MVP. Despite all of his statistical dominance this season, the Vikings were only 6-4 in games in which Peterson has over 100 yards rushing. Part of being the MVP is being able to lead your team to victories as well as put up great statistics. While Peterson's numbers have been solid in all of those 10 games, the Vikings were blown out in 3 of their 4 losses which implies that Peterson's gains, while impressive, fail to have an impact on his team's ability to win games which is something that can be said about all the other candidates. While Peterson should run away with the Offensive Player of the Year Award thanks to his sheer numbers, his performances don't effect the W-L column to the same effect as a QB and the difference between a Vikings' win and a loss often hinges more on the play of Christian Ponder rather than the performance of Peterson himself. An MVP Candidate gives his team a chance to win every game against any opponent, something Peterson just can't account for due to the position he plays.
1. Peyton Manning, QB Denver Broncos
400/583 (68.6%) 4659 yards, 8.0 ypa, 37 TDs 11 int. 105.8 Passer Rating Total QBR: 84.1 (#1)
Following his release from the Indianapolis Colts after 4 off-season neck surgeries that included a cervical fusion of the spine that severely weakened the arm strength in his throwing arm, the 36 year old 4-Time MVP wandered the NFL landscape as a free agent. After fielding a number of offers from several teams, Manning signed a 5 year contract with the Denver Broncos. Manning started the season on a high note with a come-from-behind win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and the League's No. 1 Ranked Defense before dropping back to back games against the Atlanta Falcons and the Houston Texans. Manning struggled through three quarters of both contests, throwing 3 interceptions on his first 3 drives against Atlanta while struggling to complete just over 40% of his passes against Houston. He caught fire late and nearly staged improbable comebacks from 20 points down in the 4th Quarter in both contests only to fall short in the end. The two losses as well as Manning's struggles had many questioning his decision to sign with Denver as well as his decision to attempt a comeback to the NFL at all. Many feared he lacked the arm strength to take advantage of defenses and would therefore be unable to be successful as the season wore on and his arm presumably grew weaker. Yet since week 4 against the Oakland Raiders, no one in the NFL has been as dominant or as consistent as Peyton Manning has been for the Denver Broncos. Consider, that during that stretch Manning has led the Broncos to a 12-1 record, has thrown for over 300 yards 8 times, has thrown for at least 3 TDs in a game 9 times, has completed at least 70% of his passes in a game 9 times, has had a passer rating over 100 in 9 games, has had a passer rating over 90 in 13 straight contests and has led the Broncos to 30 or more points in 10 games. Under Manning, the Broncos averaged 30.1 points per game, trailing only New England in terms of points per game. Manning has led Denver to 11 straight wins, the longest winning streak in the NFL, resulting in his NFL Record 9th season with 12 or more wins. These stats are made even more impressive when you consider Manning's surrounding cast. Coming into the 2012 season, Demaryius Thomas had 56 career catches and 8 TDs while Eric Decker had only 44 career catches and 8 TDs. With Manning at the helm, Thomas and Decker have combined for 179 catches for nearly 2500 yards and 23 TDs. The rest of Manning's receiving core is made up of a pair of former back-up TEs in Jacob Tamme and Joel Dreesen as well as a 36 year old slot receiver in Brandon Stokley who had accounted for only 14 receptions the last 3 seasons prior. Add in the fact that he lost a thousand yard rusher in Willis McGahee and replaced him with what was thought to be a 1st Round Bust in Knowshon Moreno without missing a beat, than Manning's play becomes even more extraordinary. The numbers are impressive for any QB but to be this successful following 4 neck surgeries, on a new team with new players at the age of 36, is simply unprecedented. Manning manages to make up for his lack of elite arm strength with an uncanny pre-snap awareness, a complete understanding of the offense, unparalleled anticipation to go along with passing accuracy and precision that is unmatched. His ability to raise the level of play of those around him is the very definition of what an MVP is supposed to be. His MVP moment came at the start of the Broncos winning streak in week 6 on Monday Night Football vs. the San Diego Chargers. The Broncos went into halftime trailing 24-0 as Manning was again struggling against San Diego who he was previously 1-5 against with 15 interceptions. Yet Manning remained undaunted as he tore apart the San Diego defense in the 2nd Half, going 13/14 (92.9%) for 167 yards and 3 TDs for a 156.0 passer rating as the Broncos scored 35 unanswered points in the 2nd Half on their way to 35-24 victory. It was the largest comeback in his Hall of Fame career and was also the greatest comeback in the history of Monday Night Football. Whether it's stats, wins, big time performances, clutch plays or cool consistency, Manning has shown it all in 2012. Coming off a potentially career threatening injury on a new team, Manning has again proven why he is still the best QB in the NFL and will go down as the Greatest Quarterback to Ever Play the Game when it's all said and done. Due to his remarkable consistency as well as his ability to raise the level of play of those around him, it is clear that Peyton Manning is the only logical choice for the 2012 NFL MVP, a record-setting 5th MVP Trophy for this living legend.
