The 2020 battle for NFL MVP has had many different names comes and go. Ben Roethlisberger was a candidate when the Steelers were undefeated, but they’re in the middle of a 3 game skid. Josh Allen’s name has been on and off the list more than Daniel-san had to wax on and wax off Mr. Miyagi’s cars. Even the great Tom Brady, now in Tampa Bay, was on the list until that woeful 5 QBR vs. the Saints in week 9 (QBR rates a quarterback’s overall impact and performance on a scale from 1-100). Now, the MVP list has whittled it’s way down to the final two candidates, Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers.
Mahomes vs. Rodgers – QB Comparison
| Patrick Mahomes (13-1) | Aaron Rodgers (11-3) |
| 4,462 yards | 3,828 yards |
| 67 comp% | 69 comp% |
| 36 TD | 40 TD |
| 5 INT | 4 INT |
| Remaining Games: vs. ATL, vs. LAC | Remaining Games: vs. TEN, @ CHI |
Aaron Rodgers has a slight advantage over Patrick in a few key categories such as completion percentage, touchdowns, and 1 fewer interception. However, if Patrick Mahomes can get to 5,000 yards, and he only needs 269 yards in each of his final two games, that would be hard for voters to overlook. Assuming the Chiefs win out against the Falcons and Chargers at home, Mahomes would have the best record in the league by at least 2 games. Pair the 5,000 yards and best record along with 40+ TD’s and you have your 2020 NFL MVP.
5,000+ passing yards & 40+ TD’s
Only 5 other times in NFL history has a quarterback accomplished such a feat, including Patrick Mahomes back in 2018. Should Patrick reach these numbers, that would put him in rarefied air as Drew Brees is the only player to have done it twice. Drew was 32 and 33 years old when he threw for 5,000+ yards and 40+ TD’s. Now, if Patrick does it this year he will have done it at 23 and 25 years of age. That would set a record by making him the youngest player in NFL history to throw for 5,000+ yards and 40+ TD’s twice in his first 3 years starting. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Patrick Mahomes will be your 2020 NFL MVP. After winning the MVP his first year starting, then following that up with Super Bowl MVP, he now looks to combine both awards this season.
All-Time Single Season 5,000+ Passing Yards
| 1 | Peyton Manning | 5,477 | Denver Broncos | 2013 |
| 2 | Drew Brees | 5,476 | New Orleans Saints | 2011 |
| 3 | Tom Brady | 5,235 | New England Patriots | 2011 |
| 4 | Drew Brees (2) | 5,208 | New Orleans Saints | 2016 |
| 5 | Drew Brees (3) | 5,177 | New Orleans Saints | 2012 |
| 6 | Drew Brees (4) | 5,162 | New Orleans Saints | 2013 |
| 7 | Ben Roethlisberger | 5,129 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 2018 |
| 8 | Jameis Winston | 5,109 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2019 |
| 9 | Patrick Mahomes | 5,097 | Kansas City Chiefs | 2018 |
| 10 | Dan Marino | 5,084 | Miami Dolphins | 1984 |
| 11 | Drew Brees (5) | 5,069 | New Orleans Saints | 2008 |
| 12 | Matthew Stafford | 5,038 | Detroit Lions | 2011 |
All-Time Single Season 40+ Passing TD’s
| 1 | Peyton Manning (37) | 55 | 2013 | DEN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Tom Brady (30) | 50 | 2007 | NWE |
| Patrick Mahomes (22) | 50 | 2018 | KAN | |
| 4 | Peyton Manning (28) | 49 | 2004 | IND |
| 5 | Dan Marino (22) | 48 | 1984 | MIA |
| 6 | Drew Brees (32) | 46 | 2011 | NOR |
| 7 | Aaron Rodgers (27) | 45 | 2011 | GNB |
| 8 | Dan Marino (24) | 44 | 1986 | MIA |
| 9 | Drew Brees (33) | 43 | 2012 | NOR |
| 10 | Matthew Stafford (23) | 41 | 2011 | DET |
| Kurt Warner (28) | 41 | 1999 | STL | |
| 12 | Andrew Luck (24) | 40 | 2014 | IND |
| Aaron Rodgers (32) | 40 | 2016 | GNB | |
| Aaron Rodgers (36) | 40 | 2020 | GNB |
