In the blink of an eye, we’re already a quarter of the way through the 2014 season. While a select few consensus MVP picks are still in the running, some have appeared to fall off the radar. LeSean McCoy is having an extremely rough start to the season. He’s stuck in an offense that’s forced to throw the football every down, and has absolutely no room to run behind a banged up offensive line. Then, of course, there is Adrian Peterson and his child abuse indictment. I’d rather not discuss that situation in detail. For every bust though, there appears to be someone that not very many expected to take their place. Did anyone really expect Nick Foles to be among the top five in passing through the first four games? I sure didn’t. So who really has been the most important key to their teams’ success so far? There are dozens of names to pick from but, to me there are five that are really beginning to stand out.
Top NFL MVP Candidates
5.) Antonio Brown – WR – Pittsburgh Steelers
I know, I know. A wide receiver has never won the MVP award. Nearly every year, it’s a running back or a quarterback. But with the way Antonio Brown has been carving up defenses so far, it would just be downright ignorant to not mention his name. Brown is not only leading the league in touchdown receptions but yards after the catch as well. His break-neck speed makes him nearly impossible to stop, even when he’s double covered. He’s scored multiple touchdowns in consecutive weeks, and just won’t stop getting open in the red zone. It’s a bit of a long shot but, he deserves to be in the MVP conversation based on his ridiculous numbers thus far.
4.) Jay Cutler – QB – Chicago Bears
Brandon Marshall talked about this during the preseason. His prediction has looked strong through the first four games. Jay Cutler is on pace to set career highs in nearly every statistical category, and is turning the ball over significantly less than in years passed. Only one quarterback has thrown for more touchdowns than Jay, and just two have completed more passes. What never ceases to amaze me though, is how people continue to bash Cutlers’ ability. I encourage those people to continue knocking Jay Cutler, as he will continue to make them look foolish one touchdown at a time.
3.) Demarco Murray – RB – Dallas Cowboys
Though he’s had a bit of an issue with hanging on to the football as of late, Demarco Murray is on pace to break the single season rushing record. That’s really the only sentence I need to inform you of his MVP candidacy but for the sake of statistical information, I will continue. Murray is crushing every rushing category in the books as he averages an absurd 5.4 yards per carry, on top of his five rushing touchdowns. He’s leading the league in carries by nearly 20 touches, and the Cowboys just keep feeding him the rock. As long as Demarco Murray stays healthy, we could be viewing one of the greatest single-season performances in NFL history.
2.) Philip Rivers – QB – San Diego Chargers
No one has been as efficient as Philip Rivers this season. He’s completing over 70 percent of his passes, and has tossed only one interception through four games. His Chargers are in first place in an incredibly competitive AFC West, and Rivers’ play is the prime reason. Last, but certainly not least, The Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks were absolutely manhandled at the hands of Rivers and his band of elite pass catchers. That is something Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers cannot say for themselves.
1.) Andrew Luck – QB – Indianapolis Colts
The tale of Andrew Luck continues, as he shreds secondaries left and right. Luck has a strong league lead in the touchdown pass and yardage department, and is posting an extremely strong 108.0 passer rating. Lucks’ boys started out with two extremely tough losses but, they’ve won their last two and have scored more points than any other team in the NFL. Andrew Luck is doing some sickening things to the statistical columns, and I definitely expect his dominance to continue. Luck is my personal pick to win the 2014 Most Valuable Player award, and may God have mercy on the souls of the defenses Luck faces throughout the rest of the season.
Honorable Mention:
Peyton Manning – QB – Denver Broncos: 814 yds/8 touchdowns
Matt Ryan – QB – Atlanta Falcons: 1,263 yds/10 touchdowns
Aaron Rodgers – QB – Green Bay Packers: 999 yds/9 touchdowns
Marshawn Lynch – RB – Seattle Seahawks: 234 yds/3 touchdowns
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