MVP rankings: Gurley blasts onto scene after 4-TD destruction of Seahawks
Another week, another chaotic change in the NFL's MVP race.
The league lost another MVP candidate - Antonio Brown - to injury, though the star pass-catcher is reportedly expected back after injuring his calf in the heart-breaking loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday.
Meanwhile, a handful of other players either burst into contention or saw their candidacy take a serious hit.
Here's how the MVP race stands as we enter Week 16 of the regular season:
1. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots4,163 passing yards, 67.1 completion percentage, 28 TDs, 7 INTs
Brady has not been his dominant self over the past three weeks, and while it might be odd for the signal-caller to take home MVP after one of his least impressive statistical seasons in recent years, he's been the lone player to be in the conversation all year long.
The Patriots somehow coming away with the win over the Steelers all but assure the AFC East juggernaut will end up with the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Plus, the veteran pivot ends the campaign with games against the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets, so he should have a good opportunity to end the season strong and secure the third MVP of his career.
2. Todd Gurley, RB, Rams1,187 rushing yards, 54 catches, 630 yards, 17 total touchdowns
Gurley has been on the outskirts of the MVP debate for a long time, likely never quite cementing his place among the elite due to the fanfare surrounding head coach Sean McVay, as well as his good-but-not-great rushing numbers.
However, with MVP candidates dropping out like flies, Gurley put on a show against the Seahawks in Seattle in Week 15, rushing for 152 yards, catching three passes for 28 yards, and producing four total scores, including a 57-yard touchdown run.
Related: Gurley's the last player standing between Brady and 2017 MVP
While Gurley will need to produce something special in the final few weeks to truly make it a fight with Brady, the third-year running back looks unstoppable right now.
3. Le'Veon Bell, RB, Steelers
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
1,222 rushing yards, 80 catches, 627 yards, 10 total touchdowns
With Brown done until the postseason and Ben Roethlisberger shattering any hopes of entering the discussion after throwing a back-breaking red-zone interception to seal the Patriots' win, the other member of the Pittsburgh Steelers' triplets becomes the team's default MVP candidate.
Bell has lacked his signature big plays on the ground this year, hence his ordinary 4 yards per attempt average. But while the All-Pro isn't lighting it up as a runner - though he's the league's leading rusher in what is a down year for individual rushing yards - he's on pace for 91 catches and over 700 receiving yards.
However, Pittsburgh blowing a chance to beat the Patriots and top the AFC likely ended any chance a Steeler has at taking home this award.
4. Drew Brees, QB, Saints3,850 passing yards, 71.8 completion percentage, 21 TDs, 7 INTs
Brees' numbers are far from what we usually expect from the future Hall of Famer, mostly due to the New Orleans Saints turning into a run-first team.
However, the veteran signal-caller is on pace to break the all-time completion percentage record (set last season by Sam Bradford), owns a 104.0 pass rating (exactly the same as Brady), and remains the architect of this high-flying offense.
Still, Alvin Kamara is arguably the Saints' most valuable player, so it seems Brees will have to settle for his first playoff appearance since 2013.
5. Calais Campbell, DE, Jaguars52 total tackles, 14.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles
Aaron Rodgers missed eight weeks, Russell Wilson finally crumbled under the weight of the entire Seahawks team, and Nick Foles ended any chance of Carson Wentz winning the award by tossing four touchdowns in his first start of the year - so why not give some love to the other side of the ball?
The Jaguars hit a home run when they signed 31-year-old Campbell to a massive free-agent deal this offseason. Yes, Jalen Ramsey, fellow free-agent signing A.J. Bouye, and the Jaguars' up-and-coming pass-rushers have all played a major part in Jacksonville's third-ranked defense, but Campbell has reached new heights in his 10th season.
The veteran defensive end is just half a sack off the NFL lead, has a four-sack performance on his resume from Week 1, and gone sackless in just four games this season. Campbell likely won't get a single MVP vote, but he should be one of the favorites for Defensive Player of the Year.
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