The NFL MVP race coming out of Week 15 has Cam Newton in the top spot after leading the Carolina Panthers to a win against the Giants to stay undefeated at 14-0. Carson Palmer, Tom Brady, Russell Wilson and Ben Roethlisberger have all been playing at a high level, but the feeling right now is that Newton is the favorite.
Newton has put up big numbers and the longer he keeps the Panthers undefeated the more likely he is to win the award. Newton has had many "MVP moments" through the season and Week 15 could be the one that clinches it for him after helping lead the Panthers to a win on the road against the Giants.
Brady has put up strong numbers while dealing with numerous injuries to players on offense, while Palmer has had a career season while leading the Cardinals to a division title. Wilson has been the best player in football over the past four weeks and Roethlisberger has turned the Steelers into a team that no one wants to face in the playoffs.
While each player deserves consideration for the award, right now it's Newton's to lose. Newton comes into Week 16 having accounted for 40 total touchdowns throwing and passing the ball and he has thrown just 10 interceptions this season. While he is completing less than 60 percent of his passes, he has thrown for over 3400 yards and has rushed for nearly 600 for the Panthers. Even if the team loses its final two games, it should be Newton's award.
Tom Brady has had to deal with a ton of injuries on offense this season and still has his team in position to get the top seed in the AFC, Brady has 35 touchdowns and just six interceptions this season and has thrown for 4405 yards, so he has the stats and the situation for the award, but the feeling is that it's still Newton's over everyone else. Brady could get some heavy consideration depending on how the final weeks go because of his stats, but Newton has also has put up strong numbers.
Palmer has had an MVP season for the Cardinals after coming back from an injury last season and he comes in with over 4200 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. Palmer may finish second in the voting based on how the Cardinals have performed, but with Carolina ahead in the standings, he likely will not beat Newton. Roethlisberger has put up some strong numbers, but he missed time with injuries this season. He should still get some consideration for how he has brought the Steelers back, but it's unlikely he factors into the top three.
If the award was given out for the best five week stretch of the season, it might be Russell Wilson's award to win. Even if Newton wins the award, many may see Wilson as the MVP, as he has brought the Seahawks back from a middling start to get into the playoffs and he has done it without a healthy Marshawn Lynch. Wilson has 19 touchdowns and zero interceptions over the past five games and has helped the Seahawks look like the scariest team in the NFC.
The SWR ballot right now:
Cam Newton
Carson Palmer/Russell Wilson
Tom Brady
Ben Roethlisberger
