3. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots
Brady may not have produced the best statistics, but very few quarterbacks could have ever accomplished what he did with the 2013 Patriots. Although he threw only 25 touchdown passes, Brady had to deal without tight end Rob Gronkowski for most of the season. It already hurt enough for him to lose Wes Welker to the Denver Broncos and Aaron Hernandez to jail.
The Patriots also had to deal with various injuries to players such as defensive tackle Vince Wilfork and inside linebacker Jerod Mayo, but they still went 12-4 and reached the AFC championship game. This is largely because of Brady’s leadership. If the two-time MVP can develop further chemistry with his young receivers and lead the Patriots to another season with at least 12 wins, a third MVP is not out of the question.
2. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
The Packers found out what life is like without their quarterback, and they learned the hard way. They had entered the season with Seneca Wallace as their backup quarterback, and that decision greatly backfired as they failed to win a game after Rodgers hurt his collarbone. This was until they signed Matt Flynn off the street, and he kept their season afloat with two wins.
This was enough before Rodgers returned in Week 17 to lead a comeback victory against the Chicago Bears to help the Packers capture their third consecutive NFC North title, which they were fortunate to win since the Bears and Detroit Lions failed to take advantage of a broken down Packers team. Rodgers playing all 16 games will undoubtedly make the Packers a Super Bowl contender again, and his numbers are always enough to capture the attention of voters.
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