NFL MVP Watch: Carson Wentz stands tall among the pack
Each week for the rest of the regular season, we will do an MVP watch as we head toward the homestretch of the 2017 season. Here we go:
The NFL MVP award is an annual exercise in defining exactly what MVP means, and while it's difficult to predict exactly who will win the award each season, it's a safe bet to put your money on a quarterback taking home the honor.
In the past decade, only one non-QB was named NFL MVP, and that was when Adrian Peterson rushed for 2,097 yards, second only to Eric Dickerson's record of 2,105 yards set in 1984. This year appears to be no different, with a slew of quarterbacks putting up terrific numbers while leading their teams to success. That doesn't mean, however, that other positions should be overlooked.
Here are the MVP rankings as we enter Week 12 of the 2017 NFL season:
The favorites
Carson Wentz: The Eagles have the best record in the NFL at 9-1 and Wentz, their red-headed second-year quarterback, is the biggest reason why. Yes, we can stop wondering if a kid from North Dakota State can transition successfully to the NFL. Wentz is 26 games into his pro career, and he’s already elite. He was good as a rookie, but he had some growing pains as expected. The Eagles built around him in the offseason, hoping the talent infusion would be enough to complement his natural abilities and leadership skills. It’s all working. Wentz has tossed league-high 25 touchdowns and been picked off just five times so far. Fly, Carson, fly.
Tom Brady: The narrative is over, folks. Brady did not fall off the NFL cliff after turning 40 in August. He has been, well, he’s been Tom Brady. There have been just two quarterbacks ever to have quality seasons after the age of 40 before Brady this year: Brett Favre and Warren Moon, and they’re Hall of Famers. Someday, Brady is going to be the boss of Canton. He also may be in line for his third MVP. New England's legendary QB has thrown 22 touchdowns and been intercepted just twice. Brady just keeps going and going.
Drew Brees: Speaking of legends, Brees is also balling out in his advanced NFL years as well. Brees, who’ll turn 39 in January, has the Saints looking a team capable of reaching the Super Bowl. Yes, we may be in line to see a 40-year-old Brady and a 39-year-old Brees in the Super Bowl, and it would be awesome. Brees leads the NFL in completion percentage at 71.6 percent and is a big reason why the Saints have won a league-high eight straight games.
Keep an eye on
Russell Wilson: Wilson is a baller who is in the midst of building a potential Hall of Fame résumé. Yet, he is still somewhat underrated. The guy always seems to make about three "holy crap" plays a game, and he always keeps the Seahawks in the game. Seattle is down a bit this season, but it’s not because of its quarterback. If the Seahawks can get back in the playoff mix, Wilson deserves some MVP chatter.
Antonio Brown: Brown is having a typical Antonio Brown season. He has a league-high 70 catches and a league-high 1,026 yards. The Steelers are 8-2 thanks in large part to their top receiver. Brown is a special player.
Adam Thielen: The Vikings may be onto something special. They are 8-2 and a legitimate threat to become the first team to play in a Super Bowl on their home field. A large reason for that is the play of wide receiver Adam Thielen, who is helping Case Keenum look like a superstar. Thielen, an undrafted Division II player who grew up in Minnesota, has 926 receiving yards and is a slot monster who has been productive no matter who is taking snaps for the Vikings.
Calais Campbell: The defensive lineman has been the top free-agent acquisition of the year. Campbell is tied for the NFL lead with 11.5 sacks, and he is a big reason why Jacksonville has a premier defense — and why it’s a contender in the AFC.
Key development to watch in Week 12
The Saints-Rams game is intriguing for a lot of reasons. It not only has NFC playoff ramifications, but also MVP race implications as well. Brees can make a big statement in this game against a fine Los Angeles defense. Meanwhile, if the Rams solve the Saints, it could thrust quarterback Jared Goff into the MVP conversation.
MVP right now
It’s Wentz. He’s the best player on the best team, and no one has played better than the second-year quarterback from North Dakota State thus far.
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