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 12, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) celebrates with wide receiver Eli Rogers (17) after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

1) Antonio Brown

A wide receiver has never won the NFL’s MVP before but that could all change with Antonio Brown and his outstanding performance. Antonio Brown is the best wide receiver in the league and he may just be the best player period. He showed off his skills on Monday night by completely dismantling the Redskins’ secondary.

Ben Roethlisberger and backup running back DeAngelo Williams played lights out as well, but Brown stole the show. He makes plays look easy, that others couldn’t even dream of. His goal is to get 2,000 yards receiving for the season, a feat never achieved in the NFL. If Brown can accumulate that many yards, how can he not be the league MVP?

The much-anticipated battle between Brown and Redskins’ all-pro cornerback Josh Norman didn’t materialize as advertised. Brown instead brutalized Washington’s second-best cornerback Bashaud Breeland for eight receptions, 126 yards and two TDs. A truly dominant performance to open the season, Brown lived up to the hype and helped the Steelers get an opening week victory.

Antonio’s aerial assault was just the first step in his attempt to be the first wide receiver to win the MVP. Brown’s MVP moment transpired on his 4^th and 1, 29-yard TD reception in the first half that rocked the Redskins to the core.

Next: 2016 NFL season: Epic season preview

The 2016 NFL season is just one week old, but we already have an interesting MVP battle brewing, and I for one am excited for the season-long fight.

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