1/4/13 Mike Lucas's MVP Watch
Each week Mike Lucas will update everyone on the NFL MVP Race.


Final 2012 Ballot

1. Adrian Peterson – I had to do it. I had to. Totally split between AD and Peyton but I could overlook how much more dominant AD was then any other running back in the league, and how bad the Vikings could have been without Peterson. Peterson finished with 2,097 yards and 12 TDs, 484 more then any other back in the league. He made Christian Ponder look like a good quarterback. He single handedly carried a team that no one saw being any good into the playoffs.

1A. Peyton Manning – Coming off season ending neck surgery a year ago, people could have imagined Peyton coming back and being successful, but did any see this coming? 4,659 yards, 37 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions?  That is absurd. Peyton turned around a team which last year had arguably the worst passing offense in the history of the NFL led by Tim Tebow, into a dominant passing attack. I have hi m slotted behind Peterson, but it is by the slightest margin imaginable.

3. Aaron Rodgers – After a slow start to the season, which was aided by the replacement referees “Fail Mary” call, Rodgers has been outstanding. Rodgers finished the season with the 2^nd most TD passes in the league (39), only behind Drew Brees, and only 8 interceptions. That 5 to 1 TD to interception rate is the highest in the league. Rodgers also put these numbers up behind a shaky offensive line, no running game, and one of his favorite receivers (Greg Jennings) injured most of the year.

4. Tom Brady – What more can you say about Tom Brady? He just finished the season with a casual 34 touchdowns and nearly 5,000 yards. He put up numbers like this even with the emergence of a running game from the likes of Steven Ridley. He’s almost not human.

5. Russell Wilson – I have been more impressed with Russell Wilson this year then any other rookie quarterback I’ve seen. He plays with such poise, and always seems to make the right decisions. His 26 touchdowns to only 10 interceptions aren’t too shabby either. He has been as valuable to his team as just about anyone in this league. I would not want to have to play Russell Wilson or the Seahawks in the playoffs, that’s for sure.