Tom Brady Likely Edges Out Todd Gurley for MVP

Playing in his 18^th season at the age of 40, Tom Brady is a near-lock to win the 2017 NFL Most Valuable Player award. Already earning the league MVP honors twice before (2007, 2010), Brady led the New England Patriots to a 13-3 record and the No. 1 seed in the AFC as the franchise earned its eighth consecutive bye for the postseason.

            Brady led the NFL in passing yards (4,577), and ranked third in touchdowns (32) and third in passer rating (102.8). According to metrics determined by Football Outsiders, Brady was the best quarterback in terms of total value and total value per play.

Tom Brady was the best player of the 2017 NFL season. (Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports)

            The likely runner-up for MVP, Todd Gurley, spearheaded the 11-5 Los Angeles Rams’ high-octane offense, which ranked first in points per game (29.9)—a year after the team finished dead last in points and yards per contest. A workhouse for the Rams, the running back totaled 1,305 rushing yards with 13 touchdowns, and added 788 receiving yards and six more scores. He registered these breathtaking numbers despite resting in Week 17. Teammate Aaron Donald could be named the Defensive Player of the Year, but no one was more instrumental to the Rams’ first winning season since 2003 than Gurley.

Todd Gurley carried the Rams to a historic offensive turnaround. (Harry How/ Getty Images)

            Gurley amassed eight touchdowns in his final three games played and pushed the Rams to the NFC West title and the third-seed in the NFC playoffs. He generated plenty of MVP buzz after becoming the first running back ever to win two consecutive NFC Player of the Week honors (Week 15, 16). His superhuman statistics down the stretch will give some voters pause in selecting Brady for MVP. But ultimately, the award takes into account the entire year, and no player had a more impressive season résumé than Brady.

            The most reasonable—and likely scenario—sees the league hand the MVP award to Brady and the Offensive Player of the Year to Gurley.