ESPN's NFL MVP Poll 12/14/16

[Risen Star]

New rankings....

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So there's a change atop our weekly MVP poll with three weeks to go, with a familiar name taking over the lead.

Methodology: Each of our 13 panelists nominated their top five candidates. First-place votes were worth five points, second-place votes worth four, third-place votes worth three, fourth-place votes worth two and fifth-place votes worth one.

NAME/POSITION/TEAM.............................1st.......2nd.......3rd......4th.......5th........TOTAL
Tom Brady QB Patriots...............................7...........4...........1..........0..........0.............54
Derek Carr QB Raiders................................2...........2...........3..........3..........2 ............35
Matthew Stafford QB Lions........................1...........4...........3..........0..........2.............32
Ezekiel Elliott RB Cowboys........................2...........0...........2..........5..........2.............28
Matt Ryan QB Falcons................................1...........2...........3..........0..........2.............24
Aaron Rodgers QB Packers........................0...........1...........1..........1..........0..............9
Dak Prescott QB Cowboys..........................0...........0...........0..........2..........0..............4
Khalil Mack DE Raiders...............................0...........0...........0..........1..........1..............3
David Johnson RB Cardinals......................0...........0...........0..........1..........1..............3
Von Miller LB Broncos..................................0...........0...........0..........0..........2..............2
Justin Tucker K Ravens...............................0...........0...........0..........0..........1..............1


4. Ezekiel Elliott, RB | Dallas Cowboys

Regular-season rushing: 287 carries; 1,392 rush yards; 12 TDs
Regular-season receiving: 28 receptions; 322 receiving yards; 1 TD

Case for Elliott: There's no one on this list whose individual success is so completely intertwined with his team's success. The Cowboys have to run the ball to win, and Elliott leads the league in rushing by more than 250 yards.

Case against Elliott: He's averaging "only" 4.4 yards per carry (a half-yard under his season average) in his past two games against the tough run defenses of the Vikings and the Giants. Elliott's case could use a strong finish that reminds everyone of what he looked like in Weeks 3 through 6.

 

[Proof]

Seems solid

 

[DoctorChicken]

I would personally have to vote for Brady or Ryan at this point.

 

[perrykemp]

Brady's performance, minus TE1 (Gronk) and WR2 (Amedola) against a pretty good Ravens defense was eye opening.

I really don't like Tom Brady but man I respect his game.

 

[Virginia-Dave]

****** Brady. I swear him and Belichick sold their souls to the devil. I don't even understand how that team just keeps winning, regardless of who is wearing their uniforms. It doesn't make any sense. Oh well, it's a lock Brady will win MVP now. And it's not like he cares about it, he'll just throw the trophy on a shelf next to the other 4,397 trophies he's won.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

Martelleus looks like an absolute beast btw

 

[perrykemp]

****** Brady. I swear him and Belichick sold their souls to the devil. I don't even understand how that team just keeps winning, regardless of who is wearing their uniforms. It doesn't make any sense. Oh well, it's a lock Brady will win MVP now. And it's not like he cares about it, he'll just throw the trophy on a shelf next to the other 4,397 trophies he's won.

It's infuriating as well as awe inspiring. Looking at them on Monday night here is what I saw:

• Journeyman 30 year old RB in Blount
• Missing TE1 Gronk
• Missing WR2 Amedola (who isn't even particularly impressive when he <does> play)
• A 5-10 WR1 in Edelman who is averaging just 10.0 yards per reception, has just 2 TDs, and seems to drop the ball quite a bit
• A very average'ish looking OL

Basically in many way what 'looks' to be a bunch of scrubs on offense. Brady still goes off for 400 yards passing, 3 TDs, and a 116 QB rating.

It really doesn't matter who they put around Brady -- he just wins.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Brady's performance, minus TE1 (Gronk) and WR2 (Amedola) against a pretty good Ravens defense was eye opening.

I really don't like Tom Brady but man I respect his game.

Brady shouldn't be able to win mvp. Not only was he suspended by his team went 3-1 without him with 2 other QBs.......that's a great coach

 

[Doomsday]

ESPN is awful, no way should Brady even be under consideration for the MVP this season

1. His stats don't come even close to other QBs other than his TD / int ratio
2. The Patriots were 3-1 without him, one of those wins with a QB that made Quincy Carter look like Staubach
3. He was suspended for CHEATING, that should be enough to eliminate him right there

 

[Thomas82]

Brady shouldn't be able to win mvp. Not only was he suspended by his team went 3-1 without him with 2 other QBs.......that's a great coach

Cosign!!

 

[bayeslife]

If someone who is suspended for 4 games wins MVP, then MVP voting is an absolute joke

 

[Aven8]

Rogers??? Lol. This year anyway. Yes he leads the league in TD'S, but they throw every down. He was awful against us!

 

[VACowboy]

It's infuriating as well as awe inspiring. Looking at them on Monday night here is what I saw:

• Journeyman 30 year old RB in Blount
• Missing TE1 Gronk
• Missing WR2 Amedola (who isn't even particularly impressive when he <does> play)
• A 5-10 WR1 in Edelman who is averaging just 10.0 yards per reception, has just 2 TDs, and seems to drop the ball quite a bit
• A very average'ish looking OL

Basically in many way what 'looks' to be a bunch of scrubs on offense. Brady still goes off for 400 yards passing, 3 TDs, and a 116 QB rating.

It really doesn't matter who they put around Brady -- he just wins.

Brady is the GOAT, IMHO, but the offense he plays in helps.

 

[percyhoward]

Brady's performance, minus TE1 (Gronk) and WR2 (Amedola) against a pretty good Ravens defense was eye opening.

The Ravens have a great run defense, but they've been fairly average against the pass.

Ravens Defense vs....
Prescott 130.8
Carr 123.4
Brady 116.8
Fitzpatrick 115.2
Manning 100.2

 

[Irvin88_4life]

If someone who is suspended for 4 games wins MVP, then MVP voting is an absolute joke

Forget the fact his team went 3-1 without him......with 2 other QBs

 

[Jake]

If someone who is suspended for 4 games wins MVP, then MVP voting is an absolute joke

Meh...MVP. It's just a collection of opinions. What people remember are rings.

 

[KRochelli]

Once Jimmy Smith went down, Pats could throw all day.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I think Zeke could still win it.

Especially if they lean on him a whole lot over the final games.

 

[perrykemp]

I think Zeke could still win it.

Especially if they lean on him a whole lot over the final games.

History tell us, with very few exceptions, that RBs who win the MVP rush for more than 1800 yards.

One exception in the last 20 years is Marshal Faulk who ran for 1300+ and had 80 receptions.