Aaron Rodgers says Peyton Manning should win MVP

This year’s Most Valuable Player is perhaps the least cut-and-dry decision in recent memory. There are at least two legitimate candidates worthy of the honor, and seemingly no clear consensus.

Last year’s MVP, Aaron Rodgers, has already cast his ballot.

“You’ve got to go with the quarterback,” Rodgers told USA Today.

That quarterback would be Peyton Manning, who’s led the Broncos to 11 straight wins, a division title, and home field advantage throughout the playoffs as the AFC’s top seed.

Statistically, Manning is on par with Rodgers’ 2011 campaign, in which he threw for 4,643 and 45 touchdowns. Peyton’s numbers: 4,659 yards and 37 touchdowns, one year removed from a quartet of career-threatening neck surgeries.

Adrian Peterson, however, might have something to say about that.

The Vikings’ superstar ran for 2,097 yards — nine short of the all-time record — and 12 touchdowns in 2012, leading the NFL in yards from scrimmage by a wide margin: 350. More impressive is Peterson has done it by defying modern medicine, dominating six months after suffering a devastating knee injury.

Like Manning, Peterson is arguably the sole reason for his team’s success. Minnesota clinched a wildcard spot behind Peterson’s 199-yard outburst in Week 17.

While both men are more than deserving of the award — they’d split it in a perfect world — Rodgers’ choice proves quarterbacks of a feather indeed flock together.

(Photo: Charlie Riedel / Associated Press)

Zach Kelberman

Be sure to check out other great articles at Helmet2Helmet.net.