Rodgers isn't only one Impressing: Other MVP Candidates through 13 Weeks

Definition of Most Valuable Player, according to wikipedia: an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests.


Based off the above statement, here are the players most likely to capture the award this season.

Aaron Rodgers, Packers QB

I don't think there's any doubt who the leader of the Pack (no pun intended, I promise) is at this point–it's Rodgers. Through 12 games, Rodgers leads the league in touchdowns (37), quarterback rating (125.3) and completion percentage (70.6%). He has thrown just five picks all season, is third in passing yards (3,844) and has attempted far less attempts than NE's Tom Brady and NO's Drew Brees. Rodgers is basically a lock to win the award, but it's nice to take a look at the other candidates as well.

Drew Brees, Saints QB

To avoid having three quarterbacks on the ballot, I chose Brees over New England's Tom Brady for the simple fact that Brees' completion percentage is right on par with Rodgers' (70.4) and he has just as many touchdowns as Brady with almost the exact same quarterback rating. Brees, Brady–you can't go wrong with either of the two. But, Brees, who has attempted the most passes in the league, is the only quarterback with over 4,000 yards. As you can see, Brees is the Saints offense.

LeSean McCoy, Eagles RB

McCoy is the only consistent part of the Philadelphia Eagles this season. Despite poor effort from his teammates, McCoy has already set a career-high in rushing yards (1,134, three shy of league-leading rusher Maurice Jones-Drew) and touchdowns (12) in his third professional season. With a 5.3 yards per carry average on 215 carries, McCoy has proved he's the best back in the league. On top of his success on the ground, he has made quite the impact in the passing game too, catching 42 passes for 277 yards and three touchdowns. There are only a handful of running backs that make a bigger impact in the passing game than McCoy.

Calvin Johnson, Lions WR

Much like McCoy, Megatron is well on his way to setting career-highs in all of the major statistical categories. The 6'5'' wideout started the season on a record pace, scoring 9 TDs through the air in his first five games of the season. He has since cooled off, getting in to the end zone just three times in the past seven games, but has accumulated over 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns over the course of his 12 games. His 91.0 yards per game (five 100-yard games) is good enough for second in the league, too.

Rob Gronkowski, Patriots TE

A tight end has never won the AP NFL MVP award, but if anyone has a shot at changing history for the position I think it's Gronk. He's not the top target for Brady, but he's certainly been the most productive. In 12 games the second-year player has tied the record for most receiving touchdowns by a TE, 13, and has set the record for total TDs by a tight end with 14 (one was considered a rushing touchdown). Wes Welker may get the majority of the looks, but Gronk's 14.3 yards per catch average and 9 red zone TDs shows he's one of the most productive receivers this season. He doesn't stand a chance against Rodgers and McCoy in the MVP race, but he's sure as hell putting up a fight.

Unfortunately, I didn't find a defender having a good enough season to be considered for Most Valuable Player. Plus they historically are not given the award–last to win it was LB Lawrence Taylor in 1986.

I guess that's what the AP Defensive Player of the Year award is for, huh?

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