Within the NFL there are a number of players that have success because of the team that surrounds them. These teams have amazing talent on each side of the football and regardless of who is leading their respective team, their franchise will still have success.
On the other hand, there are a handful of teams whose direct success is in correlation of the play of one person. These competitors do so much for their teams that it is scary to think about how a season without them could affect the franchise.
Each particular player is so crucial to their team’s success, because they are irreplaceable. These athletes lead their teams on game winning drives, they keep defenses in a frenzy, they score a bunch of points for their offense and most importantly they find ways to win games.
Peyton Manning and Matt Ryan are two players that are priceless to their teams. The NFL season has only just begun and we are already in the middle of a heated MVP race. Each of these incredible quarterbacks are now in the pole position for the most prestigious award, the NFL MVP.
Matt Ryan
If this was a contest of nicknames, hands down Ryan would already have the NFL MVP award over Manning. “Matty Ice” is as cool as the other side of the pillow and on the field it shows. The reason for his nickname is because Ryan remains calm in the midst of the storm.
Since entering into the NFL, Ryan has 24 game winning drives.
The latest example of this was in the Atlanta Falcons opening game of the season.
Ryan played the game of his life and he had to if he wanted to defeat Drew Brees.
The Falcons faced their NFC South rival the New Orleans Saints at home and Ryan was impressive. He completed 31-of-43 passes and set a Falcons franchise record 448 yards, while adding in three touchdown passes.
Ryan was in chill mode most of the game because when the heat was on late in the game, Ryan stayed poised. He often moved around in the pocket and avoided getting sacked. The Saints were only able to get to him one time in the game.
The Falcons found themselves down late in the game, but it was nothing to worry about.
Facing a 34-31 deficit with 1:20 remaining, there was an eternity left for the super cool Ryan. On the last drive of regulation Ryan completed three passes. The biggest pass was the 21-yard toss to Devin Hester that put kicker Matt Bryant in field goal range to set up the game tying score.
After the Falcons went into overtime, they still kept cool under pressure just like their leader Ryan. An inopportune fumble occurred for the Saints, which again set the Falcons up for another field goal. This one however was for the game winner and Bryant delivered.
There is no downplaying the significance of this game. This was a huge win for the Falcons going against a division foe, setting the Falcons atop the NFC South. For the last three years, there has been a new division winner and to start the year early with a strong win is a gift. Two years ago, Ryan led the Falcons to a NFC South division title and had the Falcons in a position to get to the Super Bowl.
This year their roster is just as talented and they have more than enough pieces to find themselves back in a situation to play for a Super Bowl. Thankfully, we cannot fast forward the year and will get to see each game.
Next up for the Falcons is another big test playing on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals, another team who has Super Bowl aspirations. If Ryan can have a strong outing here, it will surely place him in sole lead of the MVP race.
Peyton Manning
Are we creatures of habit or what? Peyton Manning being a front-runner for the MVP is as common as waking up in the morning and brushing your teeth. It has to be done.
I am one of the people who never get tired of seeing Manning atop of the leaderboard for the MVP. In fact, I enjoy watching his greatness because I understand that one day he will hang up his cleats and retire and we’ll no longer have that chance.
Thankfully, we get to watch him once again destroy his competition. Manning playing on opening day of the NFL with the Denver Broncos is like shooting fish in a barrel. He normally has success during these games.
Last year, he had seven touchdowns against the Baltimore Ravens on opening night.
This year against his former team the Indianapolis Colts, Manning went 22-for-36 for 269 yards and three touchdowns in a victory. One of his favorite targets in Wes Welker was not playing and it did not hamper the offense a bit. Manning’s other favorite target Julius Thomas stepped up in Welker’s absence and had seven catches for 104 yards and caught all three of Manning’s touchdown passes.
With Manning defeating his Colts quarterback successor Andrew Luck, it adds more volumes to his legacy and starts his MVP candidacy with a bang.
The Broncos are hungry to get back to the Super Bowl after the drubbing that the Seattle Seahawks put on them last year. Now with newly added weapons for Manning to throw to and a revamped youthful defense, the results of this team will be astronomical.
Their next contest is against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs just lost to the Tennessee Titans and do not look strong this year, but they are always competitive. Their AFC West rival will bring their maximum effort since it is early, yet they have an opportunity to extend the lead in their division.
Who do you think is leading the MVP race, Ryan or Manning?