NFL MVP stock watch: One of closest races in recent history
By Dustin Baker
1. Aaron Rodgers, QB (Green Bay Packers)
Last Week’s Ranking: 1st
Highest Ranking of Season: 1st
2020 Stats: 4,059 Passing Yards, 44 Passing TDs, 5 INTs, 70.3% Comp, 119.4 Passer Rating, 3 Rushings TDs
The Green Bay Packers concocted a statement game in Week 16. Those words might be used too frequently in sports, but the terms duly apply for the Packers-Titans matchup. Rodgers, Davante Adams, A.J. Dillon, and the Packers defense walloped the Titans last weekend, establishing the green-and-gold as the NFC’s standard-bearer.
It’s virtually unimaginable that this Packers team would be successful without the weekly services of Aaron Rodgers. Coincidentally, that is a top criterion for the MVP award. Even with a “decent” 2020 quarterback, like Ben Roethlisberger, it seems this Green Bay team would be closer to .500 than their current standing of 12-3.
Much like Dalvin Cook drives the Minnesota Vikings, Aaron Donald with Los Angeles Rams, or Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks (in the NBA), Rodgers is the maestro of the Packers. They would not be the same without him.
And, Rodgers leads Mahomes in all quarterback statistical parameters — Passer Rating, Pro Football Focus grade, and QBR. But the Chiefs have two more wins than the Packers, and that could effectively determine this year’s MVP-award recipient.
But on numbers and team impact, the designation belongs to Rodgers through 16 weeks.