Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers for MVP? Why not?
When Aaron Rodgers said he believed the Packers could run the table, maybe he was also referring to himself.
With 32 touchdowns and seven interceptions to his name, a case can be made for Aaron Rodgers to be the league’s Most Valuable Player.
The two-time MVP has lead his team from a four-game losing streak to a now three-game winning streak and a shot at the playoffs. Rodgers has thrown seven touchdowns in his last three games and has zero interceptions. Even during the losing streak, it was Rodgers who continued to show out, throwing 12 touchdown passes and just three picks.
ANALYSIS: Scouting the Bears ahead of Week 15 matchup
MOCK DRAFT: An early look at top three rounds in 2017 NFL Draft
If the Packers can make it to the playoffs, the reason is because of how Rodgers is playing. His play right now is what you call “carrying the team on your back.” If this award is actually titled, “Most Valuable Player,” I don’t think there is any other player doing what Rodgers’ has done for the Packers.
Let’s take a look at some of the other candidates,
Tom Brady: Brady? He is always in the race for MVP, although he will only have played 12 games. The Patriots’ are 8-1 with Brady on the field, and there is no one who should have doubted that.
Matt Ryan: Ryan has weapons around him that every quarterback dreams of having. Julio Jones, Devonta Freeman, Mohamed Sanu, Taylor Gabriel and Tevin Coleman. The run game that the Falcons’ pose is very helpful for Matty Ice. Freeman and Coleman have combined over 1,000 rushing yards together this season and have found the end zone a total of 14 times. A nice rushing attack helps the quarterback.
Zeke and Dak: I’m putting Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott in the same category because they are protected by that offensive line in Dallas. Darren McFadden rushed for over 1,089 yards last season. Don’t get me wrong, Prescott and Elliott are going to be the face of the NFL in the near future, if not now, but neither is the league’s MVP.
Derek Carr: The kid is going to be a freak. Carr is what you call clutch, but he didn’t look it so much in his most recent outing with the Kansas City Chiefs. When you go 0-2 against a divisional opponent, who now could win the division, and leave you for the wild-card, it may be hard for people to think you deserve the MVP award. Not to mention, Carr went 17 of 41 against the Chiefs. Call that an MVP performance? I think not.
Looking at the players I listed earlier as other MVP candidates and think about their teams. Tom Brady? Why not Jimmy G? The Patriots started off the season better than anyone had imagined, and it was without Brady. Ezekiel Elliott? I think I might be able to do some damage behind that offensive line. Matt Ryan? Take him away from the offense and they still have a host of weapons.
When you actually think about the players who are the “most valuable” to their team, it can change a lot of minds. Rodgers has not only carried the Packers with his arm, but is also the team’s second leading rusher by just under 100 yards.
Could Rodgers win a third a third MVP award?
More from Lombardi Ave
This article originally appeared on