MVP Candidates Watch List: The Top 7 and Their Routes To The Award

Oct 19, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) scrambles past Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) for a first down in the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

1. (TIE) Aaron Rodgers, QB – Green Bay:

Stat Line: 18 touchdown passes, 1 interception, 1,674 passing yards, 117.3 rating

Rodgers is essentially 1-B to Murray’s 1-A in MVP voting at the moment. Murray is still my leader for MVP but Green Bay’s quarterback has started to put together a season that cannot be ignored. What Rodgers is accomplishing now seems sustainable, he’s in complete control of his offense and isn’t overly exerting himself — like I believe Murray to be doing. Not to mention, Rodgers has passed for 13 touchdowns and zero interceptions in his last four games (at least three touchdowns in each game). The only other quarterback to have a four-game stretch this dominant in NFL history was Tom Brady in 2007. If you remember correctly, Brady won the MVP that year.

Rodgers has gotten it done in crunch time, too. He’s every bit as valuable to his team as any player in the game today. Will he throw more interceptions this year? Certainly, but if that number stays well below 10 the hardware may go his way. He’s doing it all, both with his arm and legs. There are quarterbacks more mobile than Rodgers, but perhaps none use their legs as effectively as him. He’s picking up key first downs on the ground, he’s changing plays at the line of scrimmage and continually outsmarting defenses.

Rodgers is currently dialed in and it appears that nothing can stop him at the moment. He’s making the players around him better and because of this Green Bay is riding a four-game winning streak. How long can his extraordinary play continue is a valid question. In 2011, when he won the MVP, it continued all season. Can he do it again? The Packers’ schedule does ease up a bit in December (Falcons, Bills, Buccaneers). But that question will begin to be answered under the lights of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome against the Saints on Sunday night.

Which ever player’s production, Rodgers or Murray, begins to dip look for the other to take home the MVP. It’s really a toss up between the two right now. But don’t count out the other five players on this list either, they’re just a couple weeks from taking over the top spot depending on how the ball bounces. All we, the fans, have to do is sit back and watch these titans of modern-day NFL battle it out for the right to hold up the AP MVP trophy at the season’s end.