NFL MVP stock watch: Derrick Henry is back

Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images
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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 29: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers is pursued by James Vaughters #93 of the Chicago Bears during a game at Lambeau Field on November 29, 2020, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bears 45-21. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 29: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers is pursued by James Vaughters #93 of the Chicago Bears during a game at Lambeau Field on November 29, 2020, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bears 45-21. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

2. Aaron Rodgers, QB (Green Bay Packers)

Last Week’s Ranking: 2nd 

 Highest Ranking of Season: 2nd 

2020 Stats: 3,100 Passing Yards, 33 Passing TDs, 4 INTs, 68.5% Comp, 117.6 Passer Rating

The Packers snapped back from their heartbreaking loss to Indianapolis in Week 11 with a thunderous stomping of their oldest rival, the Chicago Bears. The score in that game tightened a bit toward the end, but most of that variance can be reasonably attributed to garbage time for Chicago.

Rodgers was masterful. In a vintage performance, he dimed four touchdowns to no interceptions and a scintillating 132.2 passer rating. Normally when Rodgers and the Packers thump a football team in an obvious decline, the temptation is to think “big deal.” Not for this situation. The Bears have a fearsome defense, yet Rodgers was unfazed. He did his damage early and often while the Bears did not have the offensive competency to claw back into the NFC North tryst.

Green Bay is now locked in a three-way race for the NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed. The Saints and Seahawks are the other two franchises in the mix and any of the three teams could conceivably earn the prestigious week off in January.

Next up for the Packers: The comedic Philadelphia Eagles.