Green Bay Packers: Rodgers Stole the MVP vs. Lions
By Tim Muma
Aaron Rodgers’ performance against the Detroit Lions in Week 17 should be enough to earn the Green Bay Packers’ QB his 3rd MVP award.
It’s often difficult to define what the NFL’s Most Valuable Player should encompass, but on Sunday night the Green Bay Packers‘ Aaron Rodgers was – it.
Each voter has his or her own criteria to determine who will be their MVP choice. Factors can include a QBs surrounding cast, overall statistics, the team’s record, and any other consideration voters see fit.
The results of the Packers’ final game of the season had a number of scenarios that should put Rodgers over the top.
Sometimes voters are swayed by a player’s late-season accomplishments and success on the national stage. Bonus points if you win a division-deciding game on the road. Rodgers’ numbers in the 31-24 NFC North clincher over the Detroit Lions definitely had the wow factor for all to see.
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He went 27 of 39 for 300 passing yards, four touchdown passes and zero interceptions. Rodgers also picked up 42 yards on the ground, often avoiding sacks and scrambling for first downs.
The four touchdown throws, coupled with his quartet of strikes the week before, upped his total to 40 on the season. That gave Rodgers the NFL title in TD passes for the first time in his career.
Considering the circumstances surrounding the contest, it was a phenomenal, MVP type of performance by all measures.
And it wasn’t just game 16 where Rodgers finished strong. Over the Packers’ final seven weeks, Rodgers posted some eye-popping numbers.
On 241 attempts, Rodgers tossed 18 touchdown passes without an interception. He also threw for 2,018 yards (288.3 per game) and a 69.7 completion percentage.
His rating over that stretch was a robust 120.
The last time a Packers’ quarterback had that kind of run, it came in the final seven games of 1995. The numbers are eerily similar between the two.
On 236 attempts, Favre tossed 21 touchdown passes with just a pair of interceptions. He also put up 2,046 yards in the air (292.3 per game) and a 70.3 completion percentage.
His rating during that period was a stunning 123.
It’s the MVP, not the top passer award. Thus, those additional yards and TDs with his legs need to be considered.
That’s a difference of four yards per game, three touchdowns, three points in passer rating, two interceptions, and less than one percent in their accuracy.
By the way, Favre (like Rodgers) also led the NFL in TD passes (38) that year.
In case you didn’t remember, the Gunslinger took home his first MVP trophy in 1995 as well. That bodes well for Rodgers’ chances.
Another area Rodgers should get a boost in his popularity is the way his team ran the table over the final six weeks. While he didn’t predict it or guarantee that finish, he certainly sounded confident it could happen.
And then he went out and led by example, in true MVP form, by winning the last half dozen contests to claim the NFC North title.
To pull out the 2016 MVP award, he probably needs to get the “emotional” vote based on how people view him and this end of the year run by the Packers, including the pressure-packed finale.
That’s because Rodgers trails Atlanta Falcons’ QB Matt Ryan in most of the significant categories, with the exception of TD passes. Ryan has two fewer (38) than Rodgers.
However, Ryan threw for 516 more yards and has a sizable edge in yards per passing attempt (9.3 versus 7.3). He also ended the year as the top-rated passer with a 117.1 mark – fifth highest of all time.
Rodgers still collected a terrific 104.2 rating, it just wasn’t enough this year. Those types of numbers from Ryan will likely get him votes from those who just use the big stats to pick a winner.
Both men led their clubs to division titles, but the Falcons had one more win than the Packers. Atlanta also scored 108 more points than Green Bay, while the Pack’s defense allowed 18 fewer.
However, there are still two more key areas that may help number 12 nab his 3rd MVP crown.
Rodgers ran for 369 yards and four rushing touchdowns on top of his passing stats. Ryan had only 117 yards on the ground and failed to get in the end zone.
It’s the MVP, not the top passer award. Thus, those additional yards and TDs with his legs need to be considered.
Secondly, Rodgers didn’t have much of a running game for most of the season. Until Ty Montgomery truly took over, it was a struggling ground attack.
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The Green Bay Packers still finished 20th in rushing yards on the season. Meanwhile, behind Devonta Freeman (1,079) and Tevin Coleman (520), the Falcons ended up in 5th in the NFL in rushing yards.
Could the view that Rodgers had to do more of the heavy lifting offense push a few more voters to his side?
It could end up as one of the closest votes on record, with the possibility of co-MVPs existing, too.
The Packers have actually experienced that. Favre and the Lions’ Barry Sanders split the award in 1997 – Favre’s 3rd straight MVP.
Rodgers’ play down the stretch, including the Packers’ win in the last contest of the year, makes him the MVP in my mind. How the votes shake out is anyone’s guess.
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We won’t find out who won the MVP until February 4th. For Green Bay Packers fans, nothing would be sweeter than Rodgers holding that award on the 4th and the Lombardi Trophy on the 5th.