MVP rankings: Can Brown, Rivers wrestle MVP from Brady in last 3 weeks?
One week can be a long time in the NFL.
The leading three candidates for MVP - Carson Wentz, Tom Brady, and Russell Wilson - either saw their season end due to injury or produced their worst performance of the campaign in Week 14, radically altering the final three-week dash to the finish line.
Here's how the MVP race stands as we enter Week 15 of the regular season:
1. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
3,865 passing yards, 67.4 completion percentage, 27 TDs, 6 INTs
Before Week 12, Brady had thrown just two interceptions. But, the 40-year-old has shown his age in recent weeks, tossing four interceptions to five touchdowns, as well as losing one fumble. Two of the picks came in Monday night's stunning loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Writing off Brady has never worked out well in the past; the veteran pivot will likely come storming back in Week 15 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Still, Brady played as poorly as he's done in years against Miami. He's no lock to earn the third MVP of his illustrious career.
2. Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers
99 catches, 1,509 receiving yards, 9 TDs
A receiver has never won the MVP award, but Brown is making a strong case to be the first ever after an insane month of production. The star wideout has caught 39 passes for 627 yards and six touchdowns in the last four games - an average of nearly 157 yards per contest.
If Brown can keep up the ridiculous yardage pace over the last three weeks of the season, he'll break Calvin Johnson's single-season record of 1,964 yards and come within striking distance of the first 2,000-yard season for a receiver. That should be enough to create a serious conversation between him and Brady, though the fight could be decided in next week's juggernaut matchup between New England and Pittsburgh.
3. Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks
3,527 passing yards, 61.9 completion percentage, 29 TDs, 11 INTs, 482 rushing yards, 3 TDs
Sooner or later, Wilson was going to run into a challenge that he alone wouldn't be able to defeat. In the end, that was the dominant Jacksonville Jaguars defense, which forced Wilson into three interceptions during a 30-24 loss.
Luckily for Wilson, Brady's bad day and Wentz's injury means he's still firmly in contention for MVP. However, his case will fall apart if the 8-5 Seahawks don't rally and squeeze into the playoffs. The Week 15 matchup against the NFC West-leading Los Angeles Rams is a make-or-break game for both the Seahawks' postseason hopes and Wilson's MVP bid.
4. Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers
3,611 passing yards, 62.8 completion percentage, 23 TDs, 7 INTs
Among the MVP candidates on this list, only Rivers can match Brown in terms of momentum. The Chargers veteran quarterback has been on fire of late, willing Los Angeles to four straight wins in which he's thrown a combined eight touchdowns to zero interceptions and produced one 400-yard and two 300-yard games.
Like Wilson, Rivers' candidacy is hurt by his team's record. The 7-6 Chargers are tied atop the AFC West with the Kansas City Chiefs, and will likely need to win out to ensure a playoff spot. Rivers' good-but-not-great numbers could also be a factor, but voters might be tempted to give him the MVP as a lifetime achievement award and for dragging his team out of a seemingly fatal 0-4 hole.
5. Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints
Kamara didn't get a chance to build on his case in Week 14, as he only managed one carry and three catches before suffering a concussion in a loss to the Atlanta Falcons. But, in a race that's losing candidates left, right, and center, Kamara deserves his place.
No player in the league has been as fun to watch as Kamara this season, and while Mark Ingram has played a big part in revitalizing the Saints' running game, the rookie has been the key to the entire unit's success this year. Kamara is averaging seven yards per carry - nearly two yards more than the next highest running back among qualified players, according to ESPN - and has produced 1,247 yards from scrimmage and 11 total touchdowns. However, Kamara will need to do something special over the final three games to garner serious consideration.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)