Packers: Aaron Rodgers’ MVP bid heats up after big performance

Don’t hand Tom Brady the NFL MVP award just yet. Aaron Rodgers only helped his chances in the Green Bay Packers‘ victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

Rodgers missed Davante Adams on the Packers’ opening drive for a potential big gain, but it was about the only mistake he made.

Rodgers looked in control all game long, throwing for 268 yards and three touchdowns with a passer rating of 132.2. He made some beautiful throws that other quarterbacks could only dream of.

Throws like this one…

I could watch that all day.

So what does it mean for the MVP race?

Brady is still the frontrunner and would likely need a poor final four games to lose the award. Brady is having a phenomenal season. But Rodgers, the defending MVP, has been on fire in recent weeks.

Aaron Rodgers 2021 vs. Aaron Rodgers 2020

To compare Rodgers’ current season to the last, let’s look at the numbers after 13 games. Remember, Rodgers missed one game due to COVID-19 so he’s played 13 this season.

Rodgers after 13 games in 2020: 312/448 (69.64 percent), 3,685 yards, 39 TDs, 4 INTs, 119.69 rating

Rodgers this season: 299/441 (67.80 percent), 3,487 yards, 30 TDs, 4 INTs, 110.43 rating

Clearly, Rodgers was better at the same stage a year ago, but not by much. The only area he was much stronger in was the nine more touchdown passes. But these stats show just how strong a season he’s having again in 2021.

To be able to win a second straight MVP award, Rodgers will need to continue this run he’s on. If he gets to 40 touchdown passes or more without another interception, he would be well in the race.

Rodgers’ strong finish to the 2020 season helped him pull away in a close MVP race.

If the Packers win their remaining three games and Rodgers plays like he did against the Ravens on Sunday, he’ll have a shot at winning his fourth NFL MVP award.