MVP rankings: Brady, Gurley stand alone after injuries ravage competition

This season's MVP race will likely be remembered for what could've been, as injuries knocked out top candidates like Antonio Brown, Deshaun Watson, and Aaron Rodgers on a seemingly weekly basis.

But, despite the misfortune surrounding some of the league's top players, two stars have separated themselves from the pack and formed legitimate cases for the NFL's most prestigious award.

Here are the final MVP rankings following the conclusion of the regular season:

1. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots

4,577 passing yards, 66.3 completion percentage, 32 TDs, 8 INTs

Brady hasn't been at his best over the last month, tossing almost as many interceptions as touchdowns and appearing to struggle with his arm strength in the Week 17 win over the New York Jets.

Luckily for him, no other quarterback has stepped up to challenge him.

The third MVP award of his career is likely Brady's to lose.

2. Todd Gurley, RB, Rams

1,305 rushing yards, 64 catches, 788 receiving yards, 19 total touchdowns

Gurley was unable to build on his case in Week 17, as the Rams sat him following back-to-back spectacular performances that pushed the runner to the forefront of the MVP conversation.

The Los Angels Rams' star back has produced great touchdown numbers, but his lack of yards and the perceived superior value of the quarterback position are likely too much for him to overcome.

3. Carson Wentz, QB, Eagles

3,296 passing yards, 60.2 completion percentage, 33 TDs, 7 INTs

Wentz has been absent from the MVP rankings since he tore his ACL in Week 14, but with the entire regular season in the books, his case remains valid.

The second-year quarterback ended the year second in passing touchdowns despite his injury, and the Eagles' offense has looked much less dangerous without him under center over the past two games. Wentz won't win this year, but he'll likely be the only player not named Brady or Gurley to receive votes.

4. Le'Veon Bell, RB, Steelers

1,291 rushing yards, 85 catches, 655 yards, 11 total touchdowns

Bell and Ben Roethlisberger sat out the regular-season finale, though barring a miraculous performance, neither was likely to challenge Brady or Gurley if they suited up.

All three of the Steelers' triplets deserved to be in the MVP conversation, but Bell stands out due to his consistency and availability. Roethlisberger had a slow start to the season and Brown missed most of the last three games, but Bell was an outstanding constant for Pittsburgh.

5. Case Keenum, QB, Vikings

3,547 passing yards, 67.6 completion percentage, 22 TDs, 7 INTs

Keenum's numbers don't blow you away, and the Vikings' defense deserves a huge amount of the credit for their 13-3 finish, but the journeyman pivot has been consistently good-to-great throughout the campaign.

The 29-year-old's advanced stats paint a better picture of his performances, as he ended the year as the league's second-rated quarterback in ESPN's QBR metric, trailing only Wentz and surpassing Brady by one spot.

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