Why the Seahawks Russell Wilson will be the NFL MVP in 2021
By Andy Excell
Why did voters choose Matt Ryan over Russell Wilson in 2016?
Ryan led the Falcons to the NFC South title with an 11-5 record, completing 373 passes for 4,944 yards, 38 TDs and just 7 INTs.
Wilson led the Seahawks to another NFC West title, with a 10-5-1 record, completing 353 passes for 4,219 yards, just 21 TDs but 11 INTs.
Statistically, it is clear to see how Wilson lost out to Ryan in the voter’s minds here, add to that the Falcons were an 8-8 team the season before, so again perception wise the Seahawks did what they were expected to, whereas the Falcons raised their level in the voter’s minds.
Realistically if a QB only throws 21 TDs in 16 games, he is not going to win an MVP award, particularly if you throw double-digit interceptions to go with those TDs.
This shows the perils of an annual award, as it will recognize changes in performance-pattern much more than consistent levels of performance.
2017 – Tom Brady
Wilson has been really unlucky to come into the NFL as Peyton Manning was coming to the end of his career, and whilst Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady were hitting their prime years.
Brady led the Pats to a 13-3 season in 2017. In doing so he recorded 385 pass completions for 4,577 yards and 32 TDs and secured the divisional title and the number-1 conference seeding.
Wilson’s Seahawks went 9-7, lost out on the divisional title to the Rams and failed to make the playoffs for the only time in his career. So that alone took away any chance of Wilson being considered for the MVP award in 2017.
His stats that year for the record were 339 completions for 3,983 yards and a league-leading 34 TDs.