3 players who should've been unanimous NFL MVP
Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry was named the first unanimous MVP in NBA history on Tuesday.
Curry's impressive feat has been accomplished just once in NFL history, with Tom Brady capturing all 50 votes in 2010, after throwing for 3,900 yards, 36 touchdowns against a mere four interceptions.
Brady's unanimous vote stands alone in the annals of NFL history, but there are a few players that should've captured the league's highest individual honor without contestation.
Here are three players that should've won unanimous MVP:
Tom Brady, 2007
Although Brady eventually captured unanimous honors in 2010, the New England Patriots' quarterback should've received this distinction in 2007. Brady led the Patriots to a perfect regular season, completing 68.9 percent of his passes for a then-record 50 touchdowns against eight interceptions.
It may be hard to believe now, but the 2007 season was Brady's first MVP campaign, which may explain why one voter selected Brett Favre as their choice, despite the Patriots star posting better individual and team statistics across the board. History obscured Brady's surreal season as the previously unbeaten Patriots lost to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII, the greatest upset in league history. Regardless, Brady was unequivocally the best player in the NFL in 2007.
Peyton Manning, 2013
Much like his rival, Brady, Manning's historic 2013 season was overshadowed by a poor Super Bowl outing, where the Broncos were annihilated 43-8 by the Seattle Seahawks. Playoff performance doesn't factor into MVP voting, however, and Manning rendered the rest of his competition dormant.
Manning threw for a NFL-record 5,477 passing yards and 54 touchdowns, while the Broncos steamrolled opponents en route to a 13-3 record. 2013 was easily the best season of Manning's career, a designation that should've allowed him to capture unanimous honors alone. The fulcrum of the highest-scoring offense in NFL history, Manning left the rest of the competition behind until he met his match against an all-time great Seahawks defense.
The five-time NFL MVP is inextricably linked to Brady, and his principle rival received the lone dissenting vote, in a decision that will remain baffling over the course of time.
Cam Newton, 2015
Newton was clearly the NFL's best player in 2015 and spurred a revolution, proving that dual-threat quarterbacks are deserving of the league's marquee individual trophy. By leading the Carolina Panthers to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl appearance, Newton ought to have won NFL MVP without any opposition.
The 26-year-old launched 35 touchdowns against 10 interceptions, while rushing for 636 yards and an additional 10 touchdowns. Newton emerged as the NFL's best player despite playing with a barren receiving core that was depleted when Kelvin Benjamin suffered a torn ACL in August.
Newton's brilliance was evidenced in his versatility, lining up as a pocket quarterback, while also starring as a power back in shotgun, I-formation and goal-line packages. Although the Panthers lost in the Super Bowl, it's hard to believe Brady, along with Carson Palmer garnered a MVP vote in the year of the dab.