Los Angeles Chargers: Three reasons why Philip Rivers can win MVP
By Jason Reed
2. The Los Angeles Chargers’ overall performance will turn heads
This is assuming that all of the promise on paper works out for the Los Angeles Chargers. If the Chargers do in fact blow a great opportunity and miss out on the NFL Playoffs for a fourth consecutive year then Philip Rivers can kiss the MVP award goodbye.
However, coming into the season, there is a ton of promise around the Chargers and what the team can do. With a stellar pass-rush, an elite secondary and a great offense, the Chargers have the potential to win 13 games this season. Potential does not always mean results, though.
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Heck, last season the Chargers were two muffed kicks away from going 11-5. Take away bad play calling against the Jacksonville Jaguars and one defensive stop against the Philadelphia Eagles and the Chargers would have been 13-3 last year. Obviously, that did not happen, but the team was closer than you may think.
Yet, largely due to the lack of coverage around the team, the Chargers still weren’t really considered a great team last season. And while football analysts recognize the Chargers’ scary potential, it is safe to say that the average NFL fan does not realize how good LA can be.
Thus, if the Chargers do come out blazing next season and win 11,12 or 13 games to win the AFC West, all those casual fans will be praising the team for such a great turnaround; like with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Rivers and Brady could put up identical numbers and records. Yet, since Rivers would be leading the feel-good story Chargers, he would probably get favorable votes.
It is an unwritten rule that the MVP of the league has to make the playoffs. The last time an MVP did not make the playoffs was in 1973 (O.J. Simpson, Buffalo Bills). The only other time it happened was Johnny Unitas on the 1967 Baltimore Colts. Both teams still had a winning record.