MVP Candidates Watch List: The Top 7 and Their Routes To The Award
By Daniel
Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; The scoreboard displays 509 touchdowns for Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (not pictured) in the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
5. Peyton Manning, QB – Denver:
Stat Line: 19 touchdown passes, 3 interceptions, 1,848 passing yards, 118.2 rating
What does Peyton Manning have in common with other 38 year olds? Absolutely nothing. The man is an anomaly of a football player that has seemingly always gotten better throughout his career, despite his age. I suppose this is because it is his mind, preparation, and precision that he relies on rather than physical gifts. That said, he’s pretty damn athletic for a slow and relatively gumpy looking fella.
This year, he’s been on fire once again. His team is riding a three-game winning streak and he’s thrown for 11 touchdowns and two interceptions in those games. Unfortunately for Manning, his current play is being surpassed by another quarterback on this list. Although, the MVP award is a season-long award and there’s a lot of football left to play. Denver’s schedule becomes a little less daunting in a couple weeks, Manning could make his claim to the award during that stretch.
Breaking all-time records shouldn’t really be factored into MVP voting, but I mean, it can’t hurt can it? Either way, this season Manning is tied with Luck for the most passing touchdowns in the NFL (19), but the Broncos have already had their bye. He’s only played in six games. That makes him the de facto league-leader in touchdown passes in my book — do you really expect him not to throw for a single touchdown pass the week Luck and the Colts are on a bye? Manning is likely to vault up this list in the minds of everyone as we reach mid to late November. He has already won the AP MVP award a staggering five times, what’s one more?