Los Angeles Chargers: Three reasons why Philip Rivers can win MVP

3. Philip Rivers already produces MVP-like numbers

What if I told you that Philip Rivers was already putting together MVP-like numbers? Most fans outside of the Los Angeles Chargers would probably scoff at that statement. As we previously established, the Chargers and its players rarely get the love they deserve outside of the fan base.

However, if you look at Rivers’ numbers last season he went toe-to-toe with the best quarterbacks in football. Those numbers, backed by a winning season, would have at least gained him some discussion. All Rivers needs is a very slight improvement from last year, which will inevitably come if the team wins more games, to be in the MVP race.

Last season, Rivers finished second in the NFL in passing yards (4515), trailing Tom Brady by 62 yards (4577). That is literary one big completion to Tyrell Williams away from being the NFL leader.

Rivers’ 28 passing touchdowns was the fifth-most in the league. This is the area Rivers would need to improve the most in and would likely need to cross the 30 plateau. The last time a quarterback won MVP with less than 30 passing touchdowns was Peyton Manning in 2008 with 27. Rivers led the league with 34 that year.

Finally, Rivers’ 96.0 passing rating was good enough for the ninth-best in the NFL. He was not far off Brady, who was third in the league with a 102.8 passer rating.

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It is obvious that Rivers is already putting up MVP-caliber numbers and just needs an inevitable slight increase that comes with winning more football games. With such a great offense an elite defense that will keep the offense on the field, Rivers has a real shot at being your MVP.

All statistics courtesy of ESPN.