MVP Candidates Watch List: The Top 7 and Their Routes To The Award
By Daniel
Oct 19, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) in the first quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
3. Philip Rivers, QB – San Diego:
Stat Line: 17 touchdown passes, 3 interceptions, 1,961 passing yards, 113.0 rating
The Chargers’ quarterback is currently putting together the best season of his underrated career. Although his stats are just hair behind the pace of a couple other quarterbacks in the NFL, what he’s done in 2014 is incredibly impressive. Rivers has arguably done more with less talent that the other three quarterbacks on this list. Not to say the Chargers lack talent on the outside, it’s just not quite to the level that the other top performing quarterbacks possess (in my opinion).
San Diego is coming off its first loss since week 2, meaning Rivers has brought his team to a record of 5-2 on the year. Between week 2 and week 6 he never had a rating lower than 123.8 — that’s an MVP statistic. If he can continue to elevate his team and put up monster numbers he will certainly be in the discussion for the MVP award. He has a higher completion percentage (67.4) than Aaron Rodgers and Andrew Luck and he seems to be completely comfortable in his offense at all times.
He’s thrown multiple touchdowns in six consecutive games and doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. Some people are dropping him a bit on their MVP lists because of the Chargers’ recent loss and Manning’s continued excellence, but I’m not quite ready to jump off the Rivers train yet. Although, his matchup with Manning and the Broncos tonight will go a long way in the minds of the voters. If he pulls out a big win, look out.