The NFL Season is getting closer and closer, which in turn will bring out plenty of predictions and Top 5 articles. Sorry but this is what we do, we love the game and wish to offer NFL fans a chance to read, hopefully some interesting, funny and thought-provoking articles. With that said here is my top 5 players to watch for NFL MVP.
WR Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Last season Antonio Brown put up out-of-this-world numbers with 136 receptions for 1834 and 10 TDs but lost out to Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers. What will Brown have to do to win it in 2016? He must go over 2000 yards receiving and close to 20 TDs. This is a QB driven league and the last WR to win the award was in year, it never happened. Brown could easily be the first.
QB Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers)
Newton won the award last season as he posted numbers of 3837 yards passing, 35 TDs, 10 INTs and a completion percentage of 60, but he also added 636 yards rushing and another 10 TDs on the ground. Anytime you have a dual-threat QB dominating a season the way Newton did it’s hard to vote against him. What will Newton have to do to repeat? He must continue to play the game the way he has been. Continue to trust his receivers and O-Line. With Kelvin Benjamin back for 2016, its scary to think that Newton’s numbers can be any better but they possibly can.
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QB Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks)
Many feel like Wilson got the short end of the stick last season due to Newton and the Panthers 15-1 record. That may be the case as their numbers were similar. Wilson passed for 4024 yards, 34 TDs, 8 INTs and completion percentage of 68. Wilson also added 553 yards on the ground and 1 TD. As you can see, similar numbers. What will Wilson have to do to win in 2016? To be honest, he did enough last season to win, he should continue to play his game and if Jimmy Graham gets involved in the offense this could be Wilson’s trophy to lose.
RB Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings)
Peterson has proven he’s the best RB in the NFL and it’s only right that he sits on this list, plus his numbers will not us keep him off. 9 years in the league and normal RBs would have stated their decline by now but Peterson seems to get better with age. Last season he rushed for a league leading 1485 yards on another league leading 327 attempts. Fall off, no. What can Peterson do to win in 2016? He has the attempts and yards to be mentioned but if Peterson was to pull another 2012 season out of the hat then all bets are off.
WR Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons)
How can I put Brown up here and not place Jones, who actually had a better season than Brown, minus 2 TDs? Jones finished the 2015 with 136 receptions for 1871 yards and 8 TDs but he tends to go unnoticed in some circles due to the performance of the Falcons. What can Jones do to win in 2016? Jones has been money since entering the league and barring injury there is no stopping him, especially playing in the NFC South, minus Josh Norman. I expect another productive season from Jones.