15 Best Performances of Super Bowl LIII

Highlighting the 15 best performances from the New England Patriots' 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII.

15. Jason McCourty
McCourty made one of the most crucial plays in the Patriots' Super Bowl LIII victory when he chased down a pass from Rams quarterback Jared Goff, knocking the ball away from the intended target Brandin Cooks, who was open in the back of the end zone.

Per @NextGenStats Jason McCourty was 19.2 (!!!) yards away from Brandin Cooks when Jared Goff released this pass pic.twitter.com/krJDeZoNtV

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) February 5, 2019

14. Johnny Hekker
Hekker, a Pro Bowler for the Rams in 2018, set a Super Bowl record with a 65-yard punt and had five punts inside the 20-yard line.
13. Dont'a Hightower
The Patriots linebacker recorded a game-best two sacks.
12. Stephen Gostkowski
The Patriots kicker sealed the deal with a 41-yard field goal to put the Patriots up 10 with a little over a minute remaining. He missed a field goal in the first quarter, but made a 42-yard kick in the second quarter and converted his only PAT.

Stephen Gostkowski puts the Patriots up 10! #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/hbBrW2zHPm

— Sports Daily (@SportsDGI) February 4, 2019

11. Jonathan Jones
Jones led the Patriots in tackles (eight) and had one sack.
10. New England's Offensive Line
The Patriots' O-line dominated throughout the playoffs. They paved the way for their running backs to run wild in their Super Bowl win.
9. Brandin Cooks
The former Patriot, Cooks was the only Rams player to produce on the offensive end. He caught eight passes for 120 yards.
8. Rob Gronkowski
Gronkowski's 29-yard reception, which set up Sony Michel's decisive fourth-quarter TD, was the game's longest play from scrimmage. He had six catches for 87 yards. Gronkowski holds Super Bowl records among tight ends in catches (23) and receiving yards (297).
7. Tom Brady
Brady was far from great—throwing an interception on his first pass and finishing with a 71.4 passer rating—but considerably outplayed Goff. He finished with 262 passing yards in the win to claim his sixth Super Bowl title.
6. Sony Michel
Michel rushed for 94 yards and the lone TD of the game. He extended his rookie record with his sixth TD of these playoffs.

Sony Michel scored the only TD of Super Bowl LIII. (Image via Boston Globe)

5. Kyle Van Noy
Van Noy was all over the field on Super Sunday, totaling four tackles, a pass defended, three QB hits and a critical sack. 
4. Brian Flores
Flores, set to be the newest coach of the Miami Dolphins after serving as the linebackers coach of the Patriots and the team's defensive play-caller, put forth a great scheme on Sunday. While it may be Belichick's defense, Flores deserves a lot of credit for holding the Rams, the No. 2 scoring offense in 2018, to three points.
3. Stephon Gilmore
Gilmore had the biggest defensive play of the night, intercepting an errant Goff pass. Gilmore, one of two Patriots players to earn a Pro Bowl nod, had five tackles and three passes defended.
2. Bill Belichick
The greatest coach in NFL history won his sixth Super Bowl title with New England, stiffing the Rams' high-powered offense. The Rams gained just 260 yards (4.3 per play), their second-lowest total of the season and finished 3-for-13 on third downs. The Rams tied the 1971 Dolphins for fewest points in a Super Bowl. LA ran zero plays in the red zone.
1. Julian Edelman
The Super Bowl MVP finished with 10 catches for 141 yards, accounting for more than half of the Patriots' total receiving yardage (262). 

Julian Edelman holds his Super Bowl MVP trophy. (David J. Phillip/AP)

Edelman routinely came up with big plays in huge moments, converting on critical third downs and helping to spark an otherwise ineffective offense. Edelman has 115 career postseason catches for 1,412 yards, ranking second only to Jerry Rice all time in both playoff categories.

NFL Power Rankings Week 8

Ranking all 32 teams with seven weeks of the season now in the books.

The Carolina Panthers' improbable road comeback highlighted Sunday's NFL action. Elsewhere, the Los Angeles Rams continued their perfect season, the New Orleans Saints won their fifth straight and the Houston Texans pushed their winning streak to four.

1. Los Angeles Rams (7-0)

Todd Gurley rushed for 63 yards and two touchdowns and caught 4 passes for 23 yards and another score in the Rams’ shellacking of the 49ers. It was his third 3-touchdown game of the season. He leads the league with 14 TDs for the season, tying the mark for most touchdowns by a running back through his first seven games in NFL history, originally set by Priest Holmes in 2003.

2. New England Patriots (5-2)

The Patriots' special teams unit scored two touchdowns in Chicago. The first one came on a 95-yard kickoff return by Cordarrelle Patterson. The second came on a 29-yard return off a blocked punt by Kyle Van Noy. Josh Gordon led the team in receiving with 100 yards.

3. Kansas City Chiefs (6-1)

Kareem Hunt rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown and caught five passes for 55 yards and two receiving touchdowns in the Chiefs’ blowout victory over the Bengals on Sunday Night Football.

4. New Orleans Saints (5-1)

Drew Brees became the fourth member of the 500-TD club—completing 22 of 30 for 212 yards and two touchdowns—and superstar wideout Michael Thomas caught his first touchdown pass since Week 2 as the visiting Saints defeated the Ravens and won their fifth straight game. In beating the Ravens, Brees joined Peyton Manning as the only quarterbacks in league history to beat all 32 NFL teams.

Michael Thomas celebrates a touchdown in the Saints' win over the Ravens. (AP)

5. Los Angeles Chargers (5-2)

The Chargers defense stepped up in the biggest moment of the game, forcing an incomplete pass from opposing quarterback Marcus Mariota on the Titans’ two-point conversion attempt to hold on for a one-point win in London.

6. Minnesota Vikings (4-2-1)

Adam Thielen put another dazzling performance, catching nine passes for 110 yards and a touchdown in the Vikings’ beatdown over the Jets. He has totaled over 100 yards receiving in each of his team's first seven games, the second player in NFL history to reach this feat (the late Charley Hennigan of the Houston Oilers achieved this in 1961) and the only player in the Super Bowl era to accomplish it.

7. Carolina Panthers (4-2)

The Panthers rallied from a 17-0 fourth-quarter deficit to take down the defending-champion Eagles, backed by QB Cam Newton, who recorded 201 of his 269 passing yards in the final period. Overcoming a 17-point deficit, the Panthers matched their franchise record for biggest comeback in team history.

8. Baltimore Ravens (4-3)

The Ravens played well against the first-place Saints, but the most accurate kicker in NFL history, Justin Tucker, missed a game-tying extra-point for the first time in his career with 24 seconds remaining in the 24-23 loss.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2-1)

The Steelers had a great bye week, moving into first-place in the AFC North due to losses by the Ravens and Bengals.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (3-4)

The Eagles blew a 17-0 lead to the Panthers, surrendering 233 yards and 21 points in the game's final quarter. The collapse spoiled a tremendous outing by Carson Wentz, who completed 26 of 36 passes for 278 yards with three touchdowns.

11. Cincinnati Bengals (4-3)

The Bengals gave up 551 yards and 45 points to the Chiefs. On offense, Joe Mixon had only 50 yards rushing. Andy Dalton was held to just 148 yards passing with a touchdown and an interception by the NFL's worst statistical defense. The Bengals are 0-6 on Sunday Night Football since drafting Dalton in 2011. The 35-point loss was the team's most lopsided defeat since 2009.

12. Washington Redskins (4-2)

The Redskins defense sacked Dak Prescott four times, held Ezekiel Elliott to 34 yards and scored a TD in the fourth quarter as Ryan Kerrigan stripped Prescott and Preston Smith scooped up the ball in the end zone.

13. Chicago Bears (3-3)

The Bears doomed themselves by allowing the Patriots to score two special teams touchdowns.

14. Detroit Lions (3-3)

The Lions rushed for 248 yards—158 coming from rookie tailback Kerryon Johnson—in their road victory at Miami.

15. Houston Texans (4-3)

The visiting Texans humiliated the division-rival Jaguars, who benched struggling quarterback Blake Bortles. Houston has won four straight since its 0-3 start to take sole control of first-place in the AFC South.

Rest of the Pack

16. Miami Dolphins (4-3)

17. Green Bay Packers (3-2-1)

18. Tennessee Titans (3-4)

19. Seattle Seahawks (3-3)

20. Dallas Cowboys (3-4)

21. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4)

22. Atlanta Falcons (3-4)

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3)

24. Cleveland Browns (2-4-1)

25. New York Jets (3-4)

26. Denver Broncos (3-4)

27. Indianapolis Colts (2-5)

28. Buffalo Bills (2-5)

29. New York Giants (1-6)

30. Oakland Raiders (1-5)

31. Arizona Cardinals (1-6)

32. San Francisco 49ers (1-6)

NFL Power Rankings Week 7

1. Los Angeles Rams (6-0)

Todd Gurley rushed for a career-high 208 yards as the Rams remained perfect on the season.

Todd Gurley leads the NFL with 11 touchdowns. (Isaiah J. Downing/USA Today Sports)

2. New England Patriots (4-2)

The Patriots handed the Chiefs their first loss of the season in a 43-point scoring effort in which they did not punt or commit a single penalty—the first time in the Super Bowl era that a team played an entire game without punting or being charged a penalty.

3. Kansas City Chiefs (5-1)

The Chiefs were unstoppable on offense in the second half, scoring 31 of their 40 points after intermission. Tyreek Hill had 142 receiving yards with three touchdowns for the game and Kareem Hunt posted 185 yards from scrimmage with one receiving touchdown. Patrick Mahomes played well, recording 352 passing yards and four TDs, but he did throw two costly interceptions in the first half—one of which came in the redzone.

4. New Orleans Saints (4-1)

The idle Saints lead the NFC South by a full game after Carolina lost at Washington.

5. Los Angeles Chargers (4-2)

The visiting Chargers destroyed the Browns behind Melvin Gordon and Tyrell Williams. Gordon rushed for 132 yards and scored a career-high three touchdowns. Williams caught two TDs and totaled 118 receiving yards.

6. Minnesota Vikings (3-2-1)

Adam Thielen leads the NFL in receiving yards (712) after collecting 11 receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s win over Arizona. He also has the longest streak of 100-yard games (6) to start a season in the Super Bowl era (one shy of tying the NFL record) and has caught a league-high 58 passes, the most a player has recorded through the first six games in NFL history. He is on pace to grab 154 receptions for the season.

7. Philadelphia Eagles (3-3)

Carson Wentz completed 26 of 36 passes for 278 yards and three TDs in a commanding road win versus the division-rival Giants.

8. Baltimore Ravens (4-2)

The Ravens recorded a franchise-record 11 sacks and pitched a shutout on the road at Tennessee.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2-1)

The run defense remains elite, allowing only 62 rushing yards to the Bengals. On the other side of the ball, James Conner managed 111 rushing yards and two TDs on just 11 carries, continuing to look dominant in the absence of Le’Veon Bell.

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10. Cincinnati Bengals (4-2)

The Bengals surrendered over 480 yards for the second time in the past three weeks, failing to record a sack as Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger won in Cincinnati for the third consecutive year.

11. Carolina Panthers (3-2)

Rookie D.J. Moore lost two fumbles in the first half, leading to 10 points for the Redskins. The Panthers’ comeback came up short as they fell to 0-2 on the road this season. Up next is a matchup against the defending champions in Philadelphia.

12. Miami Dolphins (4-2)

Brock Osweiler played terrific in place of injured starting QB Ryan Tannehill, throwing for 380 yards and three TDs against Chicago’s vaunted defense. Albert Wilson, a speedster and suddenly a big-play specialist, caught six passes for a career-best 155 yards with two touchdowns in the overtime win.

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13. Chicago Bears (3-2)

Losing to a backup quarterback off a bye week is unacceptable for the Bears, who looked flat defensively against the Dolphins despite the extra time off.

14. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3)

Blake Bortles is unwatchable right now and the defense looks soft, giving up 206 rushing yards in an embarrassing 40-7 loss at Dallas.

15. Tennessee Titans (3-3)

The Titans gave up more sacks (11) than Marcus Mariota had completions (10). They failed to score and have managed a mere 12 points in the past two contests.

Rest of the Pack

16. Washington Redskins (3-2)

17. Green Bay Packers (3-2-1)

18. Seattle Seahawks (3-3)

19. Dallas Cowboys (3-3)

20. Cleveland Browns (2-3-1)

21. Detroit Lions (2-3)

22. Houston Texans (3-3)

23. New York Jets (3-3)

24. Denver Broncos (2-4)

25. Atlanta Falcons (2-4)

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3)

27. Buffalo Bills (2-4)

28. New York Giants (1-5)

29. Indianapolis Colts (1-5)

30. Arizona Cardinals (1-5)

31. San Francisco 49ers (1-5)

32. Oakland Raiders (1-5)

NFL Power Rankings Week 5

1. Los Angeles Rams (4-0)

The best team in the NFL put on a show on Thursday night behind Jared Goff. The QB threw for 465 yards and five touchdowns with a perfect passer rating.

Goff torched the Vikings in a transcendent performance at LA Memorial Coliseum. (Getty Images)

2. Kansas City Chiefs (4-0)

The Chiefs are 4-0 for the second straight year behind Patrick Mahomes, the early favorite for MVP. Their defense remains a concern, ranking dead-last in nearly every statistical category.

3. New Orleans Saints (3-1)

The defense finally woke up—albeit against the Giants’ anemic offense—to give New Orleans its third consecutive victory.

4. Carolina Panthers (2-1)

The Panthers, who lead the NFL in rushing with 166 yards per contest on the ground, return from their bye week with a home tilt against the Giants.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1)

Leonard Fournette (hamstring) went down again and will likely be sidelined a few weeks, but Blake Bortles bounced back after a dismal Week 3 showing, throwing for 338 yards and two TDs in a blowout victory over the Jets.

6. New England Patriots (2-2)

The AFC East still runs through New England, as evidenced by the Patriots’ beatdown over the previously-unbeaten Dolphins. Sony Michel broke out for 112 yards and his first career touchdown. Josh Gordon debuted Sunday and now fellow wide receiver Julian Edelman will return after serving his four-game suspension

7. Chicago Bears (3-1)

Already establishing itself as one of the league’s best defensive teams, Chicago's offense showcased its talents in Sunday’s lopsided win versus the Bucs. Mitchell Trubisky recorded 354 passing yards and a whopping six touchdowns on just 26 pass attempts and added 53 rushing yards.

8. Tennessee Titans (3-1)

Fresh off beating the powerhouse Jaguars in Jacksonville, the Titans knocked off the defending-champion Eagles in a thrilling OT victory. Mike Vrabel is on pace to win Coach of the Year, leading his team to the top of the AFC South, despite a rash of injuries. Quarterback Marcus Mariota had his best game in a long time, completing 30 of 43 passes for 344 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, while rushing for 46 yards and a score.

9. Cincinnati Bengals (3-1)

The inconsistent Andy Dalton showed poise in the Bengals’ game-winning drive against the Falcons. A.J. Green continued his torrid start by catching the go-ahead TD, Tyler Boyd (11 catches, 100 yards) had another strong showing and Giovanni Bernard (69 rushing yards with 2 TDs and four receptions for 27 yards) excelled in place of the injured Joe Mixon.

10. Baltimore Ravens (3-1)

QB Joe Flacco and wideout John Brown are in full sync, while the defense delivered a terrific performance against the rival Steelers. Baltimore held the Steelers to just 284 total yards and fewer than 20 rushing yards.

11. Minnesota Vikings (1-2-1)

The defense has been stunningly bad, but Kirk Cousins looks like an elite quarterback, giving the team hope for a revival.

12. Philadelphia Eagles (2-2)

The Eagles’ secondary is awful, but the champs’ offense finally played well in their loss on Sunday. If the pass defense can improve, the Eagles should find themselves back at the top of the NFC East.

13. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2)

The Chargers never make anything easy. Philip Rivers threw a brutal pick-six in the opening quarter, and needed to fire three passing strikes to get his team past the 49ers (1-3).

Rivers moved into 8th-place all-time on the NFL's passing yards list, passing Hall of Fame QB John Elway on Sunday.

14. Washington Redskins (2-1)

The Redskins return to action on Monday Night Football at New Orleans to play the surging Saints.

15. Green Bay Packers (2-1-1)

The offense is not where it needs to be as Aaron Rodgers has not looked like his elite self.

16. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2-1)

The Steelers are a mess right now. On the bright side, Le’Veon Bell looks likely to return by Week 7 or 8.

17. Miami Dolphins (3-1)

The Dolphins laid an egg versus the Patriots. Ryan Tannehill was 11-of-20 for just 100 yards. The Dolphins had seven punts, two turnovers and 10 penalties for 89 yards.

Rest of the Pack:

18. Denver Broncos (2-2)

19. Atlanta Falcons (1-3)

20. Seattle Seahawks (2-2)

21. Dallas Cowboys (2-2)

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2)

23. Cleveland Browns (1-2-1)

24. Detroit Lions (1-3)

25. New York Giants (1-3)

26. Houston Texans (1-3)

27. Indianapolis Colts (1-3)

28. New York Jets (1-3)

29. San Francisco 49ers (1-3)

30. Oakland Raiders (1-3)

31. Buffalo Bills (1-3)

32. Arizona Cardinals (0-4)

Rams Ordered to Pay Reggie Bush $12.5 Million for 2015 Injury

Reggie Bush has hit the jackpot.

A St. Louis jury ruled in favor of the former Heisman Trophy winner, ordering the Los Angeles Rams (formerly of St. Louis) to pay $12.5 million for damages he suffered in 2015 at Edward Jones Dome.

Bush was playing for the San Francisco 49ers when he endured a season-ending injury in a regular season contest at St. Louis on Nov, 1. 2015.

After returning a punt and running out of bounds, Bush slipped on concrete and suffered a torn lateral meniscus.

Reggie Bush was carted off the field after tearing his lateral meniscus, ending his 2015 season. (Tom Gannam/AP)

The suit was originally filed in 2016 when Bush’s legal term alleged the Rams and the public authorities “allowed a dangerous condition to exist at the [Edward Jones] Dome.” The suit called the out-of-bounds territory where he fell “a concrete ring of death.”

The Rams moved to Los Angeles after the 2015 season, while Bush latched onto the Buffalo Bills on a 1-year, $1.5 million contract in 2016. This was Bush’s final season in the NFL and was a disastrous campaign for the running back/punt returner—rushing for minus-3 yards on 12 carries and catching seven passes for 90 yards and a touchdown. In the lawsuit, Bush argued he could have signed a bigger contract (and performed at a higher level on said deal) had he not suffered what he believed to be a preventable injury.

The 33-year-old Bush played in the NFL for 11 seasons, suiting up for the New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, 49ers and Bills. He was named an All-Pro punt returner in 2008 as a member of the Saints and won a Super Bowl with New Orleans in the 2009 NFL season.

Bush was pleased with the result of the verdict that gave him a lucrative payday.

“I'm very happy with the verdict,” Bush told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “The people spoke and decided very fairly.”

Calais Campbell Should Win NFL Defensive Player of the Year

            After selecting my winner for NFL MVP on Tuesday, here is a look at the top Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) candidates.

            The 2017 DPOY race was fiercely competitive with several players worthy of recognition. Last year, it essentially came down to the Oakland Raiders’ Khalil Mack versus the Denver Broncos’ Von Miller—with Mack narrowly winning the award for leading the Raiders to an unexpected playoff appearance as Miller’s Broncos failed to reach the postseason. This season, three defensive stalwarts stand above the rest.

(3) Cameron Jordan, Defensive End, New Orleans Saints

After years of the Saints’ defense being anywhere from mediocre to flat-out terrible, this year’s unit has enjoyed a renaissance. Jordan is the stabilizing force of the transformation, as the defense finally delivered on its end of the bargain for a franchise that has seemingly been lost on that side of the ball since its 2009 Super Bowl campaign. The Saints’ stellar defensive play coincided with the team’s willingness to adopt to a run-first offense behind Pro Bowlers Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara, the rookie sensation—even with all-time great Drew Brees still under center.

Jordan wrecked havoc on opposing offenses, registering career-highs in sacks (13) and passes defended (12). The 2011 first-round pick is one of the top pass rushers in the league and enjoyed his best season as a pro.

Cameron Jordan led the New Orleans Saints to their first NFC South title since 2011. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Unmatched versatility, Jordan is also arguably the best run-defending edge in the league. He recorded 17 tackles for a loss—tied for the third most in the NFL.  

(2) Aaron Donald, Defensive Tackle, Los Angeles Rams

            The most explosive defensive tackle in the NFL, Donald has been a top-tier player for each of his first four seasons in the league. He is guiding the Rams’ defensive attack, which complements the highest-scoring offense in the NFL. He has the respect of his peers, including division-rival and Super Bowl champion quarterback Russell Wilson, who called Donald, “the best defensive player” in football.

            Appearing in 14 games—missing one to injury and another to rest in Week 17—Donald led all interior rushers with 11 sacks. He forced five fumbles, tied for the second most in the league. According to Pro Football Focus, Donald had 91 pressures in 2017.

            With the NFC West champion Rams on the rise and in the playoffs for the first time in 13 years, Donald’s chances to receive the DPOY award are better than ever before. He finished fourth in DPOY voting last season and came in second in 2015. Many voters will put Donald atop their list, and it’s hard to imagine him finishing outside the top-3 in any ballot. However, if I had a vote, it would go to the player who jumpstarted the Jacksonville defensive dominance, transforming the Jaguars from a laughingstock to a legitimate Super Bowl contender...

(1) Calais Campbell, Defensive End, Jacksonville Jaguars

            The unequivocal leader of the best defense in the NFL, Campbell has been worth every penny of the four-year, $60 million deal the Jaguars dished his way in the offseason. Campbell had a career-best 14.5 sacks—second only to former teammate Chandler Jones—after failing to hit the double-digit mark in sacks in the first nine years of his career with the Arizona Cardinals. He forced three fumbles and recovered one for a touchdown for a Jaguars defense that ranked second in turnovers forced (21).

Campbell scored a touchdown against his former team in Week 12. (Norm Hall/Getty Images)

            The Jaguars were second in total defense (both in yards and points allowed), trailing only the Minnesota Vikings. Jacksonville relies on its defense to win games, as their offense is nothing special (some of the team’s stats, such as their sixth-ranked offense, are misleading as the defense scored five touchdowns of its own and created many more scoring opportunities), despite improved play from QB Blake Bortles and a terrific rookie campaign from halfback Leonard Fournette.

            Renowned for his flexibility as a player, Campbell can be used in various defensive packages and provides a vocal leader with proven success in the clubhouse. Campbell helped the AFC South champion Jaguars reach the playoffs for the first time in 10 years, as the franchise has its eyes set on its first Super Bowl appearance in team history.

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.