Russell Wilson says he would give Cam Newton MVP
The NFC Divisional Round matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers will showcase two of the league’s best quarterbacks, Russell Wilson and Cam Newton, both of whom are also MVP candidates.
Both have played at an elite level in 2015, but according to Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer, Wilson thinks Newton deserves the league’s biggest individual accolade:
Most projections include Newton and Wilson, along with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Arizona Cardinals gunslinger Carson Palmer as the front-runners for the MVP. All four of them are deserving, but Newton is the popular choice.
Newton guided the Panthers to a 15-1 record and home-field advantage in the NFC. He threw for 3,837 yards and 35 touchdowns while tossing just 10 interceptions, and Newton led all NFL quarterbacks with 636 yards rushing and 10 scores.
Wilson put up similar yardage in both categories, but he recorded fewer touchdowns. While that doesn’t tell a whole story, it’s unwise to suggest shiny numbers — and wins — don’t have an impact on voters.
Brady’s case is built on leading the Patriots to the AFC’s No. 2 seed, racking up 4,770 passing yards and 36 touchdowns. Palmer helped Arizona reach No. 2 while totaling a career-best 4,671 yards and 35 scores.
Consequently, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the final results show Newton followed by either Brady or Palmer and Wilson at No. 4.
Perhaps Wilson’s comment will sway a couple more voters toward the Panthers quarterback, but Newton no doubt would prefer defeating the Seahawks on Sunday over an individual honor, no matter how deserving he is.
More from Sportsnaut:
