The NFL MVP award race is tight as the season pushes into Week 13 and it looks like Tom Brady and Cam Newton are leading things heading into the back stretch of the season. Players like Aaron Rodgers, Andy Dalton and Carson Palmer all have strong cases for the award, but with the Panthers undefeated and the Patriots 10-1, Brady and Newton are the current favorites.
Here is a look at the candidates for MVP this season.
Tom Brady, Patriots
The Patriots have been the top team in the AFC this season and Brady is having one of the best statistical performances of his career despite the team dealing with injuries. Players like Dion Lewis, Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski and Danny Amendola have all dealt with injuries, but Brady still has 3600 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and just four interceptions while leading his team to a 10-1 record into Week 13.
Cam Newton, Panthers
The Panthers are 11-0 this season and if the team somehow can run the table, Newton could end up with the award. While Newton does not have the stats that Brady has, he arguably is doing it with a less talented team and that could help net some votes. Newton still has pretty good numbers with 2466 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and nine picks, but he is only completing 57 percent of his passes. Newton has seven rushing touchdowns and he also has 427 rushing yards this season.
Aaron Rodgers, Packers
Rodgers just pulled off the play of the season with his Hail Mary pass to Richard Rodgers that won the game in Week 13 against the Lions and he has some very impressive numbers to go along with that. Rodgers has 26 touchdowns and just five interceptions and he has thrown for 2957 yards while completing 61 percent of his passes.
Andy Dalton, Bengals
Dalton has put up the bets numbers of his career, but many voters likely will hold his poor playoff record in the past against him, even though this is a regular season award. Dalton has 2971 yards and 23 touchdowns with just six picks while completing 65 percent of his passes, but that may not be enough to sway voters. The Bengals are likely going to win the AFC North, but everyone is wondering what Dalton will do in the playoffs.
Carson Palmer, Cardinals
Palmer has the Cardinals in position to win the NFC West and he has very strong numbers with 27 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Palmer has thrown for 3337 yards and is completing 63 percent of his passes and he should get consideration after missing all but six games last season after suffering a knee injury.
