5 Reasons DeMarco Murray Will Win The MVP This Year
By Daniel
Nov 28, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant (88) celebrates with running back DeMarco Murray (29) after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the Oakland Raiders during a NFL football game on Thanksgiving at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
4. History Isn’t Slanted Against Running Backs As Much As We Think:
Since 2005 three quarterbacks and three running backs have won the AP MVP. Although, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Aaron Rodgers have combined for six awards while Shaun Alexander, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Adrian Peterson have combined for exactly three awards. Many would have thought that quarterbacks would have a much bigger advantage in MVP voting, but it’s not as dramatic as some in the media lead us to believe. Traditionally the AP MVP is won by either a quarterback or running back. Only three times in the history of the award (dating back to 1957) has a position other than quarterback or running back won the MVP (37 QB winners, 18 RB winners).
As Peterson proved in 2012, if a running back dominates all year long then they are just as likely to win the AP MVP as a quarterback — if not more so. Drew Brees (43 TDs), Rodgers (39 TDs), Manning (37 TDs), and Brady (34 TDs) all put together amazing years in 2012, but it was Peterson that took home the award (2097 yards, 13 total TDs). Murray is on pace for just about exactly as many yards and a handful of more touchdowns than Peterson this year. It isn’t that running backs don’t get as much consideration for the MVP award as they used to, it’s that due to a shift in culture. With more shared carries and throw-happy offenses constantly evolving, running backs don’t dominate the league as much as they used to. But when running backs do they’re rewarded. And Murray is and he’s just getting started.