Peyton Manning: How Broncos QB Stacks Up Against Competition in MVP Race

In any other season, it would be no surprise that Peyton Manning is one of the top contenders to win the MVP award, but this has certainly not been any other season for the Denver Broncos quarterback. 

Manning sat out all of 2011 and underwent four neck surgeries. Concerns were then raised over his age, injury and ability to quickly adapt to a new offense and group of wide receivers heading into 2012. 

After a 3-2 start and inconsistent performances to begin the season, there was serious doubt over Denver’s decision to sign him to a massive contract. 

Since then, Manning has led the Broncos on a nine-game winning streak, and it is completely clear that Denver made the right move. However, he still faces stiff competition for this season’s MVP award. Here is how he stacks up against the competition.

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers 

Rodgers is suffering from impossible expectations after last season’s MVP-winning campaign.

Unlike last season, he is not on pace to shatter the passer rating record and he is not leading the Packers on a tear through the their schedule.

While he is not living up to last season’s standards, he is still having a remarkable season. He has 32 touchdowns compared to just eight interceptions and leads the league with a 104.7 passer rating.

Rodgers has led Green Bay to an 8-1 record despite a string on injuries, but it will take something spectacular in the final two weeks for him to pass these next three players in the MVP race.

  

Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots

Against the San Francisco 49ers, Brady managed to bolster his case for the MVP award in a losing performance.

The Niners defense completely shut down the Patriots offense until midway through the third quarter. Brady was then able to make the necessary adjustments and he led an incredible comeback. 

New England scored touchdowns on four consecutive drives against an elite defensive unit to tie the game, but eventually fell short.

Brady has 4,276 yards this season and has thrown 30 touchdown and only six picks. His statistics are extremely impressive, but he needed to beat San Francisco in order to be placed in the top-two of the MVP race. 

 

Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos 

After settling into Denver’s offense, Manning has returned the level of play he displayed with the Indianapolis Colts.

He has won the MVP an NFL-record four times, and his performance this year has once again been one of the most impressive in the league. 

Manning has completed 67.9 percent of his passes while racking up 4,016 yards, 31 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. These are certainly MVP-worthy numbers, and Manning has added to his case by leading the Broncos to an 11-3 record.

He has been as efficient and effective as any quarterback and while he has been the best player at his position this season, he has not been the best player in football.

 

Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings

While the MVP has gone to a quarterback in the past five seasons, Peterson is more deserving of the award than any passer.

He has a chance to break Eric Dickerson’s 28-year-old single-season rushing record, but regardless of whether or not he makes history with his yardage total, he deserves to have his name put down in football lore as this year’s MVP.

When Percy Harvin was lost for the season following Minnesota’s Week 9 game against the Seattle Seahawks, Peterson became his team’s only offensive weapon. He has topped 100 yards in each of the five games since then and gone over 200 yards twice.

Opposing defenses have sent eight, nine and even 10 defenders into the box to stop Peterson, but nothing has worked. He has been spectacular this year, and he is the only player having a more impressive season than Manning.