Los Angeles Rams: Three reasons why the LA Rams will go 16-0
By Jason Reed
2. An MVP season out of Todd Gurley is a huge x-factor
Quarterbacks win the NFL MVP award more than any other position in football and have made up for the last five MVPs given out. In the 21st century, running backs win the award, on average, every six seasons. While Shaun Alexander is the biggest outlier in 2005, the last running back to win the award was Adrian Peterson in 2012.
When running backs do win the award, however, their teams are often dominant, much like the Rams are this season.
Alexander and the 2005 Seattle Seahawks finished the year with a 13-3 record and made it all the way to the Super Bowl before losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The next season, MVP LaDainian Tomlinson and the San Diego Chargers finished 14-2, were six points away from being undefeated and lost in the Divisional Round due to a Nate Kaeding missed field goal.
Peterson’s 2012 Minnesota Vikings were not as good as the other two teams but did finish the year with a 10-6 record.
The difference is, though, that the Los Angeles Rams are much better all-around than all three of those teams. Going undefeated is going to take an insane season from an MVP winner (Tom Brady in 2007). The Rams have the all-around talent and will get that jaw-dropping season out of Todd Gurley.
Gurley is already the frontrunner for the MVP award this season and is on pace to put together a truly special season. Not only is he on pace for another 2,000 yards from scrimmage but he is also on pace for 24 rushing touchdowns and five receiving touchdowns.
Gurley could potentially become the second non-quarterback ever to finish with 30 or more total touchdowns. Tomlinson in 2006 holds the record with 31 total touchdowns.