NFL MVP 2012: 3 Reasons Drew Brees Deserved to Win the Award

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Aaron Rodgers' recent selection as MVP was nearly unanimous among voters.  

But, is it possible that these voters wrongfully overlooked New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees?

It certainly is puzzling that the man responsible for breaking Dan Marino's legendary single-season record for passing yards hardly garnered any votes at all.

Here are three reasons why Drew Brees should have been presented with the MVP award over Aaron Rodgers.

Statistics

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From a purely statistical point of view, both quarterbacks own two of the finest regular-season performances in NFL history.

Aaron Rodgers' 4,643 total yards passing during the Packers' 15-1 season was incredible.

Now think of a superior adjective to describe Drew Brees' 5,476 total yards passing—15 percent greater than Rodgers.

Brees also managed to eclipse Mr. Double Check’s touchdown total (46 to 45) and completion percentage at just over 71 percent.

And as nearly every football fan is aware of, Brees surpassed Dan Marino’s record for passing yards in a single season. 

When fans look back at this record down the road, they’ll wonder why the quarterback responsible for the single most statistically dominating season ever failed to win the MVP.

Drew Brees Was More Valuable to His Team

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Besides an unparalleled statistical accumulation, Drew Brees meant more to his team than Aaron Rodgers did.

Imagine, for a second, if Brees had been forced out of a single game last season.  What are the odds that Chase Daniel (Brees’ backup) would've gone off for 518 yards and 6 TDs?  I’d wager somewhere in the realm of Charlie Sheen winning the GOP’s presidential nomination.

But, this is exactly what Aaron Rodgers' backup, Matt Flynn, accomplished in his lone start, leading me to believe that a number of QBs could have succeeded with Green Bay’s arsenal of offensive weapons.

New Orleans' offense—although not short on weapons itself—seemed like a much more difficult ship to sail.  As Matt Flynn proved, Green Bay’s O could fire on all cylinders without their starting quarterback.  

Aaron Rodgers Had Better Receivers

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Let me be clear.  The difference between Green Bay's and New Orleans' receiving corps was minute. 

The Pack’s edge in this category was not by a lot, but present nonetheless. 

A core group of Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Jermichael Finley and Donald Driver was unmatched throughout the league.

Marques Colston, Jimmy Graham, Robert Meachem and Darren Sproles are certainly no slouches themselves.  It’s just that they don’t eclipse Green Bay’s pass-catchers.