Parity is a word that defines the 2014 NFL MVP race more than any other. Usually the league has a clear-cut, indisputable contender for its top individual award. There was no denying 2013 was the year of Peyton Manning. 2012 was all about Adrian Peterson.
In 2014, however, no one player has risen above the rest to truly lay claim to the title of Most Valuable Player. Quarterbacks Russell Wilson, Tony Romo, Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers all have had remarkable seasons on playoff-bound teams. Each would be a worthy selection, but choosing amongst the five of them seems like splitting hairs.
There seems to be a bit of a populist movement for Houston Texans' defensive end JJ Watt to take the award. No defensive NFL player has won MVP since Lawrence Taylor in 1986.
There are three key arguments in favor of Watt's candidacy. The first is that he truly is just the flat-out best player at his position. He doesn't just terrorize quarterbacks for sacks -- even when he's sack-less, that's usually because opposing teams have to double or triple-team him, allowing the Texans tremendous freedom with their defensive schemes.
Houston is 8-7 with a backdoor shot at the postseason despite having Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Mallet, and Case Keenum as their starters. The fact that they're even in most of their games is because of their dominant defense, which Watt anchors. That's the definition of being valuable.
Secondly, Watt impacts the game on the scoreboard, too, which is rare for a defensive end. He's had pick sixes, fumbles returned for touchdowns, and he's even lined up as a tight end and caught touchdown passes.
Lastly, there's a more intangible or metaphorical quality to Watt's MVP candidacy. And that's simply the fact that, when NFL fans and historians look back on 2014, Watt's dominant defensive play is going to be what they most readily remember. 2014 was the year of JJ Watt, he had no peers.
Defense is half the game of football, but is too routinely overlooked when it comes to awards like the MVP trophy. That might change this year with Watt.
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