10 favorites to win NFL MVP Award in 2016-17 season

10 favorites to win the NFL MVP Award in the 2016-17 season

Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 17, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) looks to pass during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers in a NFC Divisional round playoff game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4: Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks

Which Russell Wilson will we get in 2016? The one that threw just 10 touchdowns against seven interceptions over Seattle’s first nine games (4-5)? Or the one that exploded for 24 touchdowns with only one pick over the team’s final seven games (6-1)?

It was largely a tale of two seasons for the Seahawks in 2015, but Wilson’s explosion in the second half signaled his breakthrough as one of the NFL’s premier quarterbacks.

Seattle’s running game struggled, particularly late in the season with a hobbled Marshawn Lynch and sidelined Thomas Rawls. The disappointing Christine Michael, aging Fred Jackson and journeyman DuJuan Harris all saw carries out of the backfield, but Wilson put the offense on his shoulders.

The Seahawks should get back to a healthy mix of run and pass, but it’s clear at this point that the offense runs through Wilson. For the first time in head coach Pete Carroll’s tenure, Seattle could establish its running game with success through the air.

With a still-formidable defense and nice collection of offensive weapons (Doug Baldwin, Tyler Lockett, recovering Jimmy Graham), Seattle enters the season among the favorites to win Super Bowl LI. That’s more than enough to vault Wilson into the top few names for MVP consideration.

Next: No. 3: Tom Brady

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