However, as great and inspiring a story as Chad Pennington has been this season, there has been one better.
This brings me to Matt Ryan.
The odds have been against Matt Ryan since being selected number three overall in the 2008 NFL draft. Many believe Ryan was only selected that high because of the weak quarterback class to start with.
By being selected by the Atlanta Falcons, Ryan was plagued with the task of making bitter Falcon fans forget the Michael Vick disaster that last season was.
Ryan has answered the call, outplaying all of the previously quarterbacks selected high in the draft. The Falcons rookie quarterback has outperformed Jay Cutler, Vince Young, Matt Leinart, Brady Quinn, and I won't even go near JaMarcus Russell.
Not only has he outperformed them, leading the miserable Falcons of 2007 to a possible playoff berth, but he has also done it all while putting up more than solid numbers.
No. 2 has a pass completion percentage of 62, a passer rating of 92, 14 TDs to seven INTs, and nearly 3,000 yards with three games to play.
Like Pennington, these do not scream MVP numbers, but Ryan's inspiring play, especially under pressure, does.
Under pressure has been the rookie's forte. Ryan has led the Falcons in wins over the Panthers, Saints, Packers, and Bears this season, all teams still fighting for the playoffs.
The Atlanta Falcons were projected by The Sporting News to finish 1-15 this season.
The Falcons are nowhere near 1-15—they are currently tied for a wild card spot in the NFC playoffs. If Ryan can lead the Falcons through the final three games against the division-leading Bucs, the division-leading Vikings, and the erratic Rams, the Falcons will secure their first playoff berth since 2005 and only their third in the last 10 years.
Not only has Ryan given Falcons nation hope, but he has also erased the memory of the Michael Vick era and has instilled a bright outlook for the future of the organization.
Without Ryan, it is unlikely that Roddy White, Michael Turner, and Michael Jenkins would be having career seasons. White and Turner may very well likely make the Pro Bowl, along with Ryan.
If Ryan had been overlooked by the Falcons as he was by many others heading into the 2008 NFL draft, The Sporting News may have very well been correct with their 1-15 projection.
This is why my vote for MVP goes to Matt Ryan, and respectively, comeback player of the year to Chad Pennington.
Thanks to their leadership, inspiring play, and unexpected poise under pressure, two teams selecting in the top three of the draft just several months ago are now in position to make a run at the ultimate prize, the Super Bowl.
This truly has been the year of the underdog.
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