5 Reasons Drew Brees, Not Aaron Rodgers, Is the NFL's MVP in 2011

The New Orleans Saints’ Drew Brees should be named the MVP in 2011, not the Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers.

A month ago, I wanted Brees to be in the conversation for MVP. Now after five outstanding performances, I want him to take home the hardware. 

Honestly, you can make an argument for either guy, and while going 13-0 after winning the Super Bowl is one heck of a stat, it’s a team sport and the Packers’ defense has been great at forcing turnovers.

That’s not to take anything away from Rodgers, though, because he is having one of the best years a quarterback has ever had. But so is Brees.

With everyone already crowing Rodgers as MVP, these are the five reasons Brees should win the award for his record-setting season.

Record-Breaking Season

I would list every record that Brees has set this season, but to be honest, I don’t have that kind of space.

I’ve live-blogged just about every Saints game this season, and it seems like every week I’m writing about a record Brees has set or broken.

Just this past week, he became the first player in NFL history to throw for 400-plus yards, five touchdowns, an 80.0 completion percentage and no interceptions. Who does that?

Every week he’s getting closer to breaking Dan Marino’s passing yards record and Johnny Unitis’ once-thought untouchable record of consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass.

It’s just been that kind of year for Brees.

Rodgers Has a Better Supporting Cast

When comparing the Packers and the Saints, who would you say is the better team? The general consensus would be Green Bay, and it’s not just because of the guy at quarterback.

If you compare just the offenses, you can make a case for either team. I’ll go ahead and say they cancel each other out, but when you talk about the defenses, the Packers have an edge over the Saints.

The Packers are second in the league in takeaways having forced 32 this season, while the Saints are last in the league with 13.

You can talk all you want about the pressure Rodgers faces trying to repeat, but think about the pressure on Brees’ shoulders knowing that his defense isn’t going to give him a lot of opportunities.

If the Saints want to have a chance to win every week, they’re going to have to play ahead, and that falls on Brees.

That’s just something to think about before crowing Rodgers as MVP.

Brees Has More Stellar Games

It’s no secret that both of these players have had huge games this season, but Brees has had more.

Brees has two games where he’s completed 80 percent of his passes and so has Aaron Rodgers, but Brees has seven games where he’s completed 70 percent of his passes to Rodgers’ four.

In both of Brees’ games where he completed 80 percent of his passes, he’s thrown five touchdowns. Rodgers has yet to pass for five touchdowns in a game this season.

Brees has two games where he passed for more than 400 yards. Rodgers has one.

You do the math.

Going To Shatter Marino’s Record

It’s pretty much a given that Brees is going to break Marino’s record.

Brees needs 305 more yards and he has two games to do it. More than likely he’ll break it Monday night against the Atlanta Falcons and add another 300 yards to his new record against the Carolina Panthers.

While Brees is almost a lock to break the record, Rodgers really isn’t. With two games left to play, Rodgers needs 725 more yards.

That isn’t out of reach for a player like Rodgers, but it’s not going to be easy either. Rodgers’ next opponent just so happens to be the Chicago Bears, and they know how to play a little defense around those parts.

Brees will shatter the record, and Rodgers may or may not break it.

Playing Better Down the Stretch

There’s no question that Rodgers has outplayed Brees earlier this season, but their roles have reversed down the stretch.

Playoff football is getting closer, and this is the time that your MVP shines brightest. Brees is certainly doing that right now.

In the past six games, Brees is averaging 339 yards per game, has 18 passing touchdowns and only one interception. If you stack those numbers up to Rodgers’ in that same period, it’s clear that Brees has outplayed the Green Bay quarterback.

In the past six games, Rodgers is averaging 290 yards passing, has 16 passing touchdowns and three interceptions.

This MVP race is a lot closer than you thought isn’t it?