Top 5 Passing Seasons

5. Drew Brees 2011: 468/657 (71.2%) 5476 yards 8.3 ypa 46 TDs 14 int 110.6 Passer Rating
Brees combined his typical high volume numbers w/ great efficiency, setting an NFL Record for Completion % and a career high for Passer Rating. Brees threw for over 300 yards in a record 13 games and finished with a record 10 games w/ over 70% completion rate and 4 games w/ over 80% completion rate. Brees and the Saints offense produced more yards than any other offense in League History, 7474 (467.1 ypg), a Record that still stands. They also averaged 34.2 points per game good for the 6th Highest Scoring Offense in League History. Brees also led the Saints to a playoff record 626 total yards in a 45-28 win over Detroit, finishing 33/43 466 yards 3 TDs, then nearly pulled off a comeback vs San Francisco, 40/63 462 yards 4 TDs, before falling 36-32.

4. Peyton Manning 2004: 336/497 (67.6%) 4557 yards 9.2 ypa 49 TDs 10 int 121.1 Passer Rating
Before the passing era really took off, this season was considered highly unlikely to ever be repeated. It was the gold standard for passing seasons until the Pats got Randy Moss in 2007. At age 28, Peyton Manning was entering the prime of his Hall of Fame career. Already throwing to another Future Hall of Famer in Harrison, to start the year 4th year receiver Reggie Wayne broke out big time, eventually leading the team in receiving yards (1210 yards) and finishing second to Harrison in TD receptions (12). Harrison's yards per reception and reception totals were down from years past but he made up for it in the Red Zone, tying his career high with 15 TD catches. Throw in veteran Brandon Stokley breaking out too (68 catches 1077 yards 10 TDs) and the Colts were stacked at receiver even throwing in Marcus Pollard (6 TDs) and Dallas Clark (5 TDs) at TE. With so many toys and the ability to make every throw, Manning shredded teams week in and week out. Setting NFL records for most consecutive games with at least 2 TD passes (13), most 4 TD games (6), most 5 TD games (4), most consecutive games with at least 4 TD passes (5), most consecutive games with at least 3 TD passes (8), most TD passes in a Single Season (49), Highest Passer Rating in a Single Season (121.1) He then tore apart Denver for the second year in a row in the playoffs, throwing for 360 yards and 3 TDs in the 1st Half, 27/33 458 yards 4 TDs, before finishing the game with a 49-24 victory. The Colts lost the following week in Foxboro 20-3.

 

3. Tom Brady 2007: 398/578 (68.9%) 4806 yards 8.3 ypa 50 TDs 8 int 117.2 Passer Rating
While Brady was already a Future Hall of Famer only seven years into his career, he always lacked the eye opening numbers of his contemporaries namely Peyton Manning. He shattered that notion by authoring the Greatest Season Ever. Brady and the Patriots finished 16-0 while Brady shattered the NFL Record for TD passes set 3 years before by Manning. Brady set a slew of League and Franchise Records: most games with at least 3 TD passes (12), most games with at least 3 TD passes and 0 int (8), most TD passes in a Single Season (50). Brady was masterful to start the playoffs, shredding the Jaguars, 26/28 (92.9%) 262 yards 3 TDs 0 int, in a 31-20 before overcoming a poor showing in the AFC Championship Game, 22/33 216 yards 2 TDs 3 int, to reach Super Bowl 42. However, after an 18-0 start to the season, the Patriots fell in the final game to the upstart Giants 17-14 as Brady's offense crumbled under the relentless pressure of the Giants front four.

2. Aaron Rodgers 2011: 343/502 (68.3%) 4643 yards 9.2 ypa 45 TDs 6 int 122.5 Passer Rating
From start to finish, Rodgers was clearly not only the Best Quarterback in the NFL but also its best player. Rodgers 2011 campaign is the most efficient in NFL History, combining high completion rate and yards per attempt totals with high volume TD totals and Record int rates for absurd consistency. Rodgers threw for 2 or more TDs in 13 straight games, had a Passer Rating over 100 in 12 straight games. The Packers finished with the 2nd Highest Scoring Offense in NFL History averaging 35 pts a game. This was made even more remarkable when one considers that the Packers were 27th in rushing offense (97.4 yards per game) and dead last in Pass Defense (299.8 yards per game) and total Defense (411.6 yards per game). The fact that they were out gained by their opposition, the Packers offense was extremely efficient and often didn't take long to score resulting in 19 consecutive games with a lead.

1. Peyton Manning 2013: 450/659 (68.3%) 5477 yards 8.3 ypa 55 TDs 10 int 115.1 Passer Rating
I thought that Rodgers 2011 season would be the gold standard for years to come. Never had a quarterback been so consistent and efficient despite having to carry his team week in and week out. Peyton Manning had just been released by the Colts following the SB. After being signed by the Broncos, Manning's future was uncertain. Could he be the same player he was before the 4 neck surgeries or would he simply lack the physical tools to compete at an NFL level. Little more than two years later, Rodgers season has been topped by a QB whose arm strength would be derided at the NFL combine but whose ability to read defenses, anticipate throws, get the ball out quick and have perfect ball placement make him unstoppable. That's what Peyton Manning was until Seattle solved the rubix cube and shut him down. Peyton Manning started the season with a record-tying 7 TD passes on Opening Night vs Baltimore. He carried that momentum to the greatest start in NFL History, throwing 20 TD passes before his first pick. Manning set a slew of records during the season: most games with at least 4 TD passes (9), highest TD:Int Differential (45), most 400 yard passing games (4), most passing yards in a Single Season: 5477 yards, most TD passes in a Single Season: 55 TDs. He led the Broncos to a 24-17 victory over San Diego in the Divisional Round, not punting once on offense as the Broncos methodically churned out 363 yards, Manning: 25/36 230 yards 2 TDs, against an overanxious San Diego D. He then led Denver to a 26-16 win over New England in the AFC Title Game, racking up 507 total yards and only punting once on 8 drives. Manning shredded New England's secondary all afternoon, 32/43 (74.4%) 400 yards 2 TDs, as he guided Denver to its first Super Bowl in 15 seasons. The Broncos lost Super Bowl 48 43-8 to the Seahawks.

Peyton Manning at the Midway Point of the 2013 Season

I saw a few articles today that have Tom Brady as the MVP half-way through the season. Tom Brady. The same guy who is averaging 5.9 yards per attempt, is completing 55.7% of his passes so far with a 74.9 rating and a 9 to 6 TD:Int Ratio. That Tom Brady. Yes he's one of the Top 5 QBs ever to play the game. Yes he has a weak supporting cast with only a hobbled Rob Gronkowski as his lone reliable receiver. But to say he is the MVP just because his team happens to be 6-2 is simply to ignore facts. The fact is the Patriots lost to the Jets on the road and beat them by only 3 points despite New England's defense forcing 5 turnovers and the offense only putting up 13 points. They needed a last second FG to beat Buffalo. They had to rally from a two touchdown deficit AT HOME to beat Miami. Wanna know why New England is 6-2 through eight games? One man: Bill Belichick. He has re-tooled this defense into the ultimate bend-but-don't-break unit much like the ones the Pats fielded in their SB glory years. Despite injuries along the Front Seven and the loss of his two defensive stalwarts in Jerod Mayo and Vince Wilfork, New England is still only surrendering 18.0 points per game, 6th in the league. Their run defense is anemic, 31st in the NFL, but so is their Passing game, 23rd. Both of their previous strengths of the past five seasons are now weaknesses. Yet like he always does, Belichick has adapted his team on the fly. The previously porous secondary and pass rush now rank 5th in pass defense and 4th in Sacks. The strong running game of 2012 continues to be a force, averaging 4.2 yards per carry despite teams' lack of respect for New England's passing game. Bill Belichick has brought his team back to the smash-mouth style of football it won 3 SBs in 4 years with. Physical bend-but-don't-break defense to go along with physical offense that makes just enough plays in the passing game to win. It's often ugly but it's effective. Rather than ask Brady to carry the load as he has done since 2007, Belichick now is trying to get him to revert to his game-manager past. Brady has struggled to adapt thus far. Some of it is his WR core, some of it is his re-shuffled O-Line. Yet more still is the fact that Brady is beginning to show signs of aging and dare I say it: DECLINE. His reads aren't as crisp, his deep pass is all but gone and perhaps most surprising of all, his legendary pocket presence is now a weakness. He looks timid in the pocket, unable to handle the chaos around him. He releases passes too quickly, almost expecting to get hit even when his protection is good. He clearly doesn't trust his offensive line yet and as a result the Patriots passing game, and offense as a whole, has suffered for it. Yet his team is still 6-2. There are a lot of reasons New England is atop the AFC East right now, but Brady and his play are more towards the bottom this year rather than being the driving force it was from 2007-2012.

Okay enough on my Tom Brady rant, now let's get back to the point of the article. One Mr. Peyton Williams Manning. The REAL 2013 NFL Most Valuable Player. I mean it's a formality at this point. Peyton Manning will win his 5th MVP Award, as well as his second  Offensive Player of the Year Award, at the 2014 NFL Honors Show in New York come February. The guy, at the ripe old age of 37, is off to the greatest start in NFL History for a Quarterback. His team is 7-1 and very nearly could've been 8-0 if the ball hadn't bounced off the hands of a defensive lineman and Ronnie Hillman hadn't let the ball slip through his fingers on 1st and Goal from the Indy 4 yard line. But that's an article for another time. Manning's numbers are out of this world. His 2919 yards passing through the first 8 weeks is an NFL Record while his 29 TD passes trail only Tom Brady's (puke) 2007 season for the most through 8 weeks. The Denver Broncos are the highest scoring team in NFL History through 8 games with 343 points, an average of 42.9 points per contest. Manning is so good this season that even when he struggles, 4 turnovers this past Sunday and 20 incompletions vs. Indianapolis two weeks ago, he can still put up 33 and 38 points on opponents. (Broncos scored 45 points vs. Washington on Sunday one of which was a defensive TD) Even when teams get the jump on the Broncos, Indy took a 33-14 4th Quarter lead while Washington took a 21-7 lead in the 3rd Quarter, Manning can still come roaring back. (19 unanswered points vs. Indy, 31 unanswered points vs. Washington) The fact that Manning can still throw for 740 yards and 7 TDs in spite of his 5 turnovers the past two weeks has to scare the living hell out of the rest of the NFL. If this is Manning "struggling" then their offense has to be clicking on all cylinders to have any hope of defeating him. The Broncos get a much needed bye next week to prepare for a 4 game stretch run where they will face 3 playoff teams, including games vs. and at Kansas City and the league's best defense. While this could prove to be the Broncos stiffest challenge yet, Kansas City (the NFL's only remaining unbeaten team) has yet to play a great offense aside from Dallas and has eeked out close wins over lesser opponents in recent weeks. The coming weeks will be a big test for both teams, Is Kansas City's defense for real, is Denver's offense truly indicative of the numbers they've accumulated, or are both teams less lethal than promised? We'll find out in three weeks. 

Second Coming

2013: The Year of the G.O.A.T.

By: William Clogston 

Monday, September 16, 2013 

Through the first two weeks of the 2013 season, hell throughout the whole 2nd Half of the season-opener, Peyton Manning has looked unstoppable. Yes that Peyton Manning. The one everyone doubted would ever return to the form that made him the NFL's first and ONLY 4 Time-MVP. The one that saw him carry some pretty mediocre and often heavily-injured Colts teams to 12, 13, 14 win seasons every year. It's hard to remember it after his incredible comeback last season, but there was talk of whether or not Peyton Manning should retire for the sake of his post-football future. It was a legitimate question. Having just recently fathered twins, Manning now had other more important priorities in life aside from football. Surely he wanted to be there for his kids, just as his own father Archie had always been there for him. I can admit that as a fan, I had prepared myself for his retirement at one point. Then the video of him working out at Duke gave me hope and then the whole Manning vs. Luck debate really went into high gear. I remember calling into Bo Mattingly's show towards the end of the regular season in 2011. They were discussing whether or not the Colts should part ways with Manning and Mattingly had basically settled on the premise that they HAD TO.

I offered the option of possibly releasing Manning before resigning him to a more cap-friendly deal, something I'm sure Manning would've at least entertained. I remember being laughed off, basically told I was nuts simply because there was no guarantee Manning would even be healthy enough to take a hit. And that was the true crux of the whole Manning leaving Indy saga. There was so much uncertainty regarding his health that you didn't really know what to expect.

  

Shortly after his release, my best friend Blake and I daydreamed about the possibility of Peyton joining his favorite team, the San Francisco 49ers and the fact that both of us might wind up rooting for the same team. It looked like a great scenario. San Francisco had lost in the NFC Championship Game the year before and had one of the league's best running attacks and O-Lines, a good young receiving core, and quite possibly the best Defense in football. It would certainly be a great place for Manning, as even if he wasn't fully healthy, the team around him wouldn't need him to do everything. Manning, as we all know, signed with the first team he visited, the Denver Broncos. 

I wasn't thrilled with the choice of Denver but was at least encouraged. They had the League's best running game the year before, a solid young defense led by Von Miller and quite possibly the best LT in football in Ryan Clady. I was concerned about how Denver's receivers would transition from such a simple offensive scheme with Tim Tebow to Manning complex no-huddle attack. Prior to the season I felt that Denver would likely finish 10-6 with a division title in year one simply because it might take time for Manning and his new receivers to really gel, plus the last time he missed significant action in 2008, it took him about 7 games to round into form. Without going into too detailed of a recap, Manning exceeded all expectations last season, even my own. Despite having a noticeably weaker arm and less velocity on his throws, Manning's pre-snap reads, quick release, precise anticipation and outstanding ball placement to his receivers were better than ever. 

 He was 2nd only to Aaron Rodgers in Passer Rating with a staggering 105.8 Passer Rating to go along 4659 yards, that's more than Aaron Rodgers had in his MVP season in 2011, and tossed 37 TDs, that's more TDs than Tom Brady threw in his MVP season in 2010, while completing a league-leading 68.6% of his passes. The season played out like I'd thought only better. The Broncos started off slowly at 2-3 but Manning was getting healthier by the week.

After coming back from a 24 point deficit to beat San Diego, during a second half where Manning went 13/14 (92.9%) for 167 yards and 3 touchdowns, the Broncos won their next 10 games and managed to capture home field advantage. 

Sadly, the SB journey a year and a half after returning from neck surgery was not to be thanks to Jacoby Jones, Rahim Moore and Corey Graham as Denver lost to the eventual SB Champion Baltimore Ravens 38-35 in Double Overtime. It was the 1st postseason loss of Manning's career to Baltimore and his 11th overall which tied him with Brett Favre for the most in NFL History. After such unexpected success in his first season with Denver, Manning now entered the 2013 season with perhaps the highest set of expectations in his entire career. In 2013, nothing less than a SB Championship will be good enough for Denver this year. Having added two new receivers in the off-season in the slot-machine Wes Welker, he of the 672 catches the past 6 seasons, and the emergence of 3rd year TE, former Portland state hoopster Julius Thomas, there was great intrigue surrounding how Denver's offense would perform with the new more up-tempo no-huddle being implemented. 

Through the 1st 2 weeks of the 2013 season, this Denver Broncos offense has the potential to as good as any in NFL History. Manning began the season with a game for the ages, throwing for 462 yards and an NFL-Record tying 7 touchdown passes in a 49-27 victory over the defending champion Ravens. Manning followed that performance with a 41-23 victory over Peyton's younger brother Eli Manning and the New York Giants. While his numbers weren't nearly as spectacular, 307 yards 2 touchdowns, and the offense not nearly as explosive, only one pass play over 20 yards, the running game emerged as a threat with Knowshon Moreno providing 93 yards on the ground and two scores. In fact, for the most part Manning wasn't overly spectacular against New York. He simply took what the Giants defense gave him all game with brutal effectiveness. After throwing for 200 yards in the 1st Half, Manning pounded away with the running game against the Giants base nickel defense.

 

With the defense on their heels, Manning was superbly accurate in the 2nd half, going 12/14 (85.7%) for 107 yards and 2 touchdowns. In fact, in the 2nd half through two games, Manning is 28/37 (75.7%) for 409 yards and 7 touchdown passes without an interception, good for a Passer Rating of 150.8. The Broncos have outscored the past two SB Champions 35-10 and 31-14 in the 2nd Half. Peyton Manning is the first quarterback in NFL History to throw for 9 touchdowns without an interception through two games. The Broncos offense is averaging 45 points a game, by far the best in the NFL. And yet, the running game is only 19th at 87 yards per game and the defense is lacking its best two players in Von Miller and Champ Bailey. This Broncos team is battered yet has emerged at 2-0 with convincing wins over conference powers. I've seen this before, a battered team winning game after game, Manning did it with the Colts all the time. Only this team is better than any he has played on since 2005. Peyton Manning is finally healthy and now, two years removed from talk of potential retirement and hand wringing over his condition, he is off to the best start by a QB in NFL History. This gets lost in the media simply because Peyton is always great, but I don't think the outside world truly understands just how close Peyton Manning was to the end.

Should Peyton Manning retire?

Should Peyton Retire? 

Is Retirement on Deck for Peyton following neck surgeries?

I was unsure how he'd perform in Denver, unsure how he'd adapt to change after being a creature of habit in the comfort of Indianapolis. As I said before, a small part of me was prepared for him to retire. I'd have been okay with it, he would a 1st Ballot Hall of Famer and probably be considered one of the Top 5 greatest Quarterbacks in NFL History. But deep down I knew if it had ended after the 2011 season, there'd have always been the question of what might've been. I was afraid Peyton would be the Gale Sayers of QBs, potentially the best ever just didn't play long enough or win enough SBs to garner serious consideration. But in the back of my mind, I hoped the Quarterback I'd watched and rooted for 8 years religiously, would not only return to form but come back with a vengeance, that'd he return better than ever, silence his critics and claim the title of the Greatest Quarterback Ever to Play the Game before riding off into the sunset. after dominating the giants in East Rutherford, New Jersey this past Sunday with only a fairly routine performance, Peyton looks as determined as I've ever seen him to get back to MetLife Stadium in February. Now, nearly two years and a new season later, Manning is off to the best start of his career, has his team off to a dominant 2-0 start and with so many young players making plays, looks to be paired with a legitimate SB contender at last. Making my dream, baby steps closer to reality. 

2012 NFL MVP Race

                                                                     2012 NFL MVP Race 

                                         

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. 

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Here at The GM everyone is welcome to talk about basically whatever they want as long as they aren't trolling. Trolls will be booted. As for me, I love football. My favorite player is Peyton Manning and you'll probably be seeing a lot of posts on Mr. Manning on this blog. I also love random YouTube videos, eating tons of food, and raging at parties. I also love pot. So if talk of weed makes you uncomfortable then you should probably avoid this blog. Will be adding more posts each day. Feel free to leave comments or shoot me an email. Thanks for reading!!