NFL MVP 2011: Aaron Rodgers Blows out Drew Brees for Coveted Award

You got the feeling that this season's NFL MVP award would come down to Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Tom Brady.

After the votes were counted up, it turns out Rodgers came away with his first MVP award. Rodgers annihilated Brees, scoring 48 votes to Brees' two for the prestigious award. 

Although there's a case to be made for both Brees and Brady, I've been saying all along that Rodgers deserved the honor. Not only did he lack a running game, he threw just six interceptions in 502 passing attempts during the regular season—that's phenomenal.

Rodgers, who completed 68 percent of his throws for over 4,600 yards and 45 touchdowns, didn't throw multiple interceptions in any game this season. Brees threw interceptions in critical moments in losses against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and St. Louis Rams.

I think you can also factor in the teams' records in this case. While that's not always the best determinant in evaluating individuals' performances, the fact of the matter is that Rodgers had more to do with the Green Bay Packers' wins than Brees had to do with the New Orleans Saints' victories.

Why? Because the Packers were more reliant on Rodgers due to the lack of a rushing attack. The Saints averaged 4.9 yards per carry this season (fifth in the NFL) while the Packers averaged 3.9 yards per carry (27th).

It's easy to say that Brees deserved the MVP award because he set the NFL record for completion percentage (71.2) and passing yards (5,476) in a single season. But there's more involved than that and Rodgers deserved the MVP over Brees in my opinion.

Rodgers may not have had the greatest playoff game of his life this season, but he did have the better regular season than Brees or Brady.