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NFL 2016: Top 5 MVP candidates after Week 1

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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It may be early to crown a NFL MVP, but five players balled so hard this weekend that they should at least be considered the leaders of the pack

Oh baby, what a first week of the 2016 NFL season. It may be a little early to crown a MVP but five players were so outstanding in Week 1 of the season that the chatter should at least begin.

The nation’s game is back and it started with a bang. The league seems more equal than ever before with so many games coming down to the last play and the cream is already rising to the top with some early NFL MVP candidates.   You won’t see Tom Brady or Peyton Manning on this list, mainly because Brady is serving his Deflategate suspension and Manning is sipping pina coladas on a beach somewhere.

The last four NFL MVPs were Adrian Peterson (2012), Peyton Manning (2013), Aaron Rodgers (2014), and Cam Newton (2015).  Who will be the next to join this illustrious list? The season has just begun but the MVP candidates are already putting up big numbers and leading their teams.

5) Alex Smith

Alex Smith was known as a game manager; a quarterback who was more apt to check down then let it rip. Well, that changed Sunday. Smith and the Chiefs were down 21 points early in the third quarter to the Chargers and somehow came back to win in overtime, 33-27.

The Chiefs were in disarray and the previously maligned quarterback took over the game. Smith literally put his team on his back and willed them an unprecedented victory from the grasp of defeat. He was electric with his play, hitting receivers in tight windows and putting his team in position to win the game.

Alex Smith threw for 363 yards with two TD passes and he was responsible for the game-winning touchdown run in overtime. Smith’s determination led the Chiefs to their biggest comeback victory in the team’s 56-year history. The usually cool California kid showed some intense emotion after the overtime touchdown run on third-and-goal to seal the game. Smith was very animated on the sidelines as the typically reserved quarterback let his passion and gamesmanship loose.

A MVP candidate doesn’t only fill up the stat sheet but also makes his team better with his performance — and Alex Smith surely did that on Sunday.

Sep 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) looks to pass in the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Green Bay Packers won 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

4) Aaron Rodgers

As long as Aaron Rodgers is suiting up on Sundays, he will always be included in this list. The gunslinger from Green Bay is a perennial MVP candidate for good reason. Sunday, Rodgers showed off his skill set while welcoming back his best weapon, Jordy Nelson, who returned after his ACL injury last season.

Rodgers tossed two TDs and ran for another in Green Bay’s victory over the upstart Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. He looked to be in midseason form with his mastery of the offense. The Jaguars are no longer the joke of the NFL and the Packers had to pull out all the stops to get a win.

Rodgers knows how to distribute the ball to his weapons and his elusiveness in the pocket extends plays to a defense’s dismay. The Packers signal-caller battled the extreme Florida heat to complete 20 passes for 199 yards while being accurate all over the field. His footwork in the pocket is best in the NFL and he extended plays when the offense needed it most.

He admitted to struggling early, but once the opening game jitters were gone, Rodgers commanded respect and made all the important throws. It’s safe to say that Rodgers is no longer in Brett Favre’s shadow.

Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports 

3) Jameis Winston

The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft looked the part as his Tampa Bay Buccaneers put up 31 points on Sunday. His day started off rocky with an early interception but Jameis Winston looked amazing, finishing 23-of-33 for 281 yards and four TDs. The second-year player looked like a seasoned vet as he orchestrated four TD drives to beat their division rivals, the Atlanta Falcons.

Winston showed his maturity and class by presenting the game ball to new Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter, a former Falcons assistant coach. Jameis’ college career was filled with immaturity and scandal but this new and improved Winston seems ready to lead his team.

Winston was placing balls perfectly on deep passes and showing accuracy and zip on the shorter throws. Tampa’s run game was stifled early but that didn’t stop Jameis from moving the ball. The Falcons failed to sack Winston and the quarterback looked like a MVP candidate for sure.

With a slimmed down Mike Evans as his WR1 and TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins finally showing his true potential, Jameis Winston should continue to play at an All-Star level. Winston showed excellent command of his offense and was a true leader out on the field.

Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees warms up prior to the game against the Oakland Raiders at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

2) Drew Brees

The only player on my list whose team lost on opening week, Drew Brees showed on Sunday why he is one of the NFL’s all-time greats. Brees opened up the season with a gritty performance including 423 yards and four TDs in a stunning loss to the Oakland Raiders.

The Saints lost the game due to Raiders coach Jack Del Rio’s gutsy call to go for a two-point conversion with less than a minute to go. Brees did everything in his power to win the game only to fall just short.

Brees recorded his 14th 400-yard game, tying Peyton Manning for the all-time NFL record.  The Saints had two different receivers with each over 140 yards including a record setting 98-yard TD pass to Brandin Cooks.

Brees was able to get New Orleans within striking distance for a last second, 61-yard field goal, but Saints kicker Will Lutz came up short. Drew Brees continues to prove his doubters wrong, and even without a victory, is squarely in the hunt for league MVP.

Sep 12, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) celebrates with wide receiver Eli Rogers (17) after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

1) Antonio Brown

A wide receiver has never won the NFL’s MVP before but that could all change with Antonio Brown and his outstanding performance. Antonio Brown is the best wide receiver in the league and he may just be the best player period. He showed off his skills on Monday night by completely dismantling the Redskins’ secondary.

Ben Roethlisberger and backup running back DeAngelo Williams played lights out as well, but Brown stole the show. He makes plays look easy, that others couldn’t even dream of. His goal is to get 2,000 yards receiving for the season, a feat never achieved in the NFL.  If Brown can accumulate that many yards, how can he not be the league MVP?

The much-anticipated battle between Brown and Redskins’ all-pro cornerback Josh Norman didn’t materialize as advertised. Brown instead brutalized Washington’s second-best cornerback Bashaud Breeland for eight receptions, 126 yards and two TDs.  A truly dominant performance to open the season, Brown lived up to the hype and helped the Steelers get an opening week victory.

Antonio’s aerial assault was just the first step in his attempt to be the first wide receiver to win the MVP. Brown’s MVP moment transpired on his 4th and 1, 29-yard TD reception in the first half that rocked the Redskins to the core.

The 2016 NFL season is just one week old, but we already have an interesting MVP battle brewing, and I for one am excited for the season-long fight.

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