There are many NFL players who are primed to be candidates to dethrone Peyton Manning as MVP, and quarterbacks are among most of them.
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning ran away with the MVP award last season after throwing 55 touchdowns to add a fifth trophy to his resume, and he will look to add sixth while taking the Broncos back to the Super Bowl.
However, there are many other great players nipping at his heels who can contend for the award.
Here are the five leading candidates to win the 2014 NFL MVP award.
5. Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts
Luck is entering his third season in the NFL and as the Colts’ starting quarterback, and he has already made himself the franchise face after facing a tall task in replacing the legendary Peyton Manning. He has done an admirable job so far by leading the Colts to the playoffs twice in a row after taking over a 2-14 team.
The 2012 first overall pick has thrown 23 touchdown passes in each of his first two seasons, but he is bound to boost his numbers with a much improved receiving corps that includes T.Y. Hilton, Hakeem Nicks and Reggie Wayne, who is returning healthy from an ACL tear. Luck already improved last season by cutting his interception total in half from 18 to 9 and boosting his accuracy and passer rating with 60.2 percent of his passes completed and an 87 rating.
4. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
Brees has been the Saints’ starting quarterback since the 2006 season, and he has never missed a start aside from the 2009 regular-season finale, which he rested in since the Saints had already clinched home-field advantage in the NFC. In addition to durability, Brees has been a model of consistency over the past several seasons. The former Super Bowl MVP has thrown at least 39 touchdown passes in his last three seasons, and he has completed at least 68 percent of his passes in four of the last five seasons.
The Saints have produced an elite offense for several years, and Brees has been the main reason for it. Fierce competition at quarterback has prevented Brees from winning an MVP award, particularly in 2009 and 2011. This may be the year he finally wins it though.
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