Aaron Rodgers or J.J. Watt: Who is the 2014 NFL MVP?
Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake (91) and linebacker Chris McCain (58) try to sack Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) in the second half of the game at Sun Life Stadium. Green Bay defeated Miami 27-24. Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports photograph
Rant Sports
The 2014 NFL season should be called the year of Aaron Rodgers. Despite the Green Bay Packers heartbreaking loss in the NFL playoffs, Rodgers had the best season of his young career and put up some mind-blowing stats. All signs point to Rodgers as the NFL MVP this season, and if he doesn’t win, it would be a crime.
No. 12 finished the 2014 season with a modest 38 touchdowns, five interceptions and 4,381 yards passing. Those combined numbers gave Rodgers a 112.2 quarterback rating, which was good for No. 2 in the league, behind Dallas Cowboys‘ Tony Romo. Another number that you can add to Rodgers’ resume is the sparkling 8-0 home record that the Packers achieved this season.
Rodgers and his 2014 numbers can stand head-to-head with any quarterback at the position. Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning and Romo all had outstanding seasons, but Rodgers’ ability to lead the Packers to the crown in the NFC North with the top-ranked offense in the NFL is a pretty impressive feat.
Some MVP votes will go to the Houston Texans‘ J.J. Watt, and rightfully so, but he did not have the impact that Rodgers did. It may not seem fair to Watt, but it’s hard for a player on defense to carry his team like Rodgers was able to. With the ball in his hands on every play, Rodgers plays the most important position on the field. No knock on Watt, but he has one job, and that is to rush the passer, something he does really well, but he doesn’t have the team’s fate riding on his every play, like Rodgers does.
When it comes down to it, Rodgers is the clear-cut No. 1 choice for the MVP award. There is a lot of worthy candidates this season, but when it’s all said and done, Rodgers should be taking home his second MVP award.
Vinny Lanni is a New York Jets writer for RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter or add him to your network on Google.
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