NFL 2016: Top 5 MVP candidates after Week 1

By Adam Jacobs | Sep 13, 2016

Sep 12, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) does a celebration dance in the end zone after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Redskins in the third quarter at FedEx Field. The Steelers won 38-16. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) looks to pass in the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Green Bay Packers won 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

4) Aaron Rodgers

As long as Aaron Rodgers is suiting up on Sundays, he will always be included in this list. The gunslinger from Green Bay is a perennial MVP candidate for good reason. Sunday, Rodgers showed off his skill set while welcoming back his best weapon, Jordy Nelson, who returned after his ACL injury last season.

Rodgers tossed two TDs and ran for another in Green Bay’s victory over the upstart Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. He looked to be in midseason form with his mastery of the offense. The Jaguars are no longer the joke of the NFL and the Packers had to pull out all the stops to get a win.

Rodgers knows how to distribute the ball to his weapons and his elusiveness in the pocket extends plays to a defense’s dismay. The Packers signal-caller battled the extreme Florida heat to complete 20 passes for 199 yards while being accurate all over the field. His footwork in the pocket is best in the NFL and he extended plays when the offense needed it most.

He admitted to struggling early, but once the opening game jitters were gone, Rodgers commanded respect and made all the important throws. It’s safe to say that Rodgers is no longer in Brett Favre’s shadow.

Next: Jameis Winston

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