MVP race far from an open discussion

Outside of Chuck Pagano’s fight with leukemia and an everlasting comedy of errors in the New York Jets’ organization, arguably the most alluring story of this season has been the comeback stories of Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson.

Phenomenal rebounds from both NFL stars, but still no undisputed victor on the MVP award. 

In the West corner represents the golden boy of the NFL that was given up on. Dumped to the curve by one organization, and exalted by another despite his ominous future. Four surgeries later, Manning has engineered the Denver Broncos to top contenders in the AFC. Despite the new supporting cast, Manning effortlessly has thrown for over 4,000 yards along with 30+ touchdowns. 

In the East corner, lies an indomitable force in the backfield. Running backs have cold sweats about ACL injuries; Peterson made his look like a mini-vacation. After being injured in Week 16 of 2011, and Peterson is now on pace to enter the 2,000-yard rushing club along with breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record. 

Two remarkable stories fighting to be crowned as NFL MVP.

For the years in sports, the barometer for MVP candidates has been moot and this race is no different. But as close you may think this race is, the NFL’s best player this year wear has already been crowned. And he plays for the Minnesota Vikings.

What Peterson has done this year is beyond belief. Players that tear their ACL’s don’t come back swiftly. It usually takes athletes a year to bounce back and fully regain strength. Not only did Peterson play in Week 1 after suffering a shredding knee injury at the end of the season 2011, but he has single-handily carried his team to playoff contention. The work load has tripled after a ghastly tear, and Peterson has seamlessly excelled under immense pressure. 

The Vikings offensive is putrid without Peterson in the backfield. Furthermore, opponents know there is only one playmaker on Minnesota, which has led teams to stack eight in the box. And still Peterson puts up video-game numbers on defenses.

Peterson contributes nearly 65% of the Vikings offense each game. No other running back has that onus in the league.

When comparing the two superstars, the best measurement is how much value does each player have to their squad. This is a Most Valuable Player award if I remember correctly. 

The Broncos were a playoff team last year and advanced past the Pittsburgh Steelers behind a vaunted defense and miracle play from Tim Tebow a.k.a. the 13th Disciple. The Vikings were irrelevant (3-13).

Without “All-Day” running the rock, the only contention the Vikings would be in the race for is a first-round draft pack. I can’t say the same if I removed Manning from Denver. 

What Manning has done this year is unprecedented, but his MVP resume is not comparable to Peterson's. Comeback Player of the Year seams for suitable for the Broncos' quarterback, while AD should be given MVP regardless where his Dickerson chase ends.