Every week, we have a new MVP frontrunner. Every time a guy starts getting MVP buzz, he suffers an injury or falls into a slump. There’s still time for someone to make a run, but right now the leader of the pack is essentially there by default, with one final riser making a run.
Here’s how we view a very odd race with one week remaining in the 2017 regular season.
1. New England Patriots QB Tom Brady (last week: 1st): He has struggled with four touchdowns to five interceptions and an 81.5 passer rating in December, but the Patriots are still winning and Brady still leads the league with an 8.1 yards-per-attempt average.
2. Los Angeles Rams RB Todd Gurley (last week: 5th): He leads the league in scrimmage yards by a 147-yard margin and touchdowns by a seven-yard margin. And unlike Brady, he’s been at his best in December. This could go either way.
3. New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees (last week: 2nd): Brees is a dark horse needing a huge performance in a division-clinching victory in Week 17, along with poor showings from both Brady and Gurley. But he’s still a candidate, thanks to that 71.9 completion percentage, an 8.1 yards-per-attempt average and the NFC’s highest passer rating.
4. Kansas City Chiefs QB Alex Smith (last week: 6th): The league’s highest-rated passer at least deserves a shoutout. That 26-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio is off the charts when you consider how often he’s gone deep this season. It’s also worth noting that the veteran has put up huge numbers in December.