The NFL MVP award race for the 2015 season has Cam Newton coming in as the favorite now that the regular season is over. Newton led the Carolina Panthers to a 15-1 record and the number one overall seed in the NFC and his overall performance this year could win him the award.
Newton has put up great numbers and had the Panthers at 14-0 before finally losing a game to the Falcons. Newton has had the performance overall this season to win, but Week 17 also should give him a boost up on the other candidates. Tom Brady and Carson Palmer have both put up MVP numbers, but with the Cardinals and Patriots losing in Week 17, Newton likely will stay atop the group.
Russell Wilson has had an amazing run to end the season with a stretch of 24 touchdowns with just one interception over seven games, but overall it's still Newton's award to lose. Here is a look at the top candidates:
Cam Newton, Panthers
Newton has been impressive for the Panthers this season and he has done it without his number one receiver after Kelvin Benjamin was injured before the season started. Newton comes in after putting up four more total touchdowns in Week 17 and he now has 45 total for the season. Newton has thrown for 3837 yards, 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this year and he has also added 10 rushing touchdowns and over 600 rushing yards.
Tom Brady, Patriots
Brady comes in with great numbers with 4770 yards and 36 touchdowns and he has done it with numerous players missing time with injuries. Dion Lewis, Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Rob Gronkowski and LeGarrette Blount have all missed various amounts of time this season, but that has not stopped Brady from putting up big numbers. The Patriots ended up with the second seed in the AFC and will have a first round bye.
Carson Palmer, Cardinals
Palmer has had a great season and should get strong MVP consideration, but it is still Newton's award to lose. Palmer has thrown for 4671 yards and 35 touchdowns this season after missing most of last year with a knee injury. Palmer has put the Cardinals in strong position in the NFC as the second overall seed and he has also done while dealing with injuries to Andre Ellington and Chris Johnson this season.
Russell Wilson, Seahawks
Wilson has come on strong towards the end of the season while leading the Seahawks to the playoffs and while he may not win the award, he deserves MVP consideration. Wilson has thrown for over 4000 yards this season while rushing for 553 and he has put up 34 passing TDs and just eight interceptions. Wilson had an amazing five game stretch with 19 touchdowns and zero interceptions and he has the Seahawks looking like one of the favorites in the NFC. Wilson has also done this with Marshawn Lynch banged up for most of the season.
