2017 NFL MVP Race: The 5 Players People Should Be Discussing

Philip Rivers, QB, Los Angeles Chargers

Here’s one we wouldn’t have expected midway through the season, but even as the Los Angeles Chargers got off to their disappointing start, Philip Rivers wasn’t the one underperforming.

Rivers has been in the top-10 of both Passing NEP and Passing NEP per drop back since Week 4. He’s gradually worked his way up the rankings, and he’s now second in both categories thanks to an incredible three-week stretch that’s seen him put up enough Passing NEP (64.90) to be 12th among all quarterbacks for the entire season. During those three games, Rivers has completed 76 of 107 passes (71 percent) for 1,097 yards (10.3 yards per attempt), 6 touchdowns, and no interceptions.

After an 0-4 start, the Chargers are now 7-6 and tied atop the AFC West with the Kansas City Chiefs as they go into a head-to-head matchup in Week 15. Kansas City’s defense ranks 27th by Adjusted Defensive NEP per play, and in the final two weeks, Rivers will play the New York Jets (24th) and Oakland Raiders (31st). It would not be a surprise if his current hot streak of play continued.

A Rivers MVP run would be surprising not only because of how the season started but also because of the lack of appreciation he’s gotten in voting throughout his career.

In his career, Rivers has received four total MVP votes.

He was sixth place with two votes in 2008 when he led the league in touchdowns (tied with Drew Brees at 34, but with a higher touchdown rate -- 7.1 percent to 5.4 percent) and yards per attempt (8.4), but the Chargers finished just 8-8.

He finished in third place with two votes the following year when he again led the league in yards per attempt (8.8) and the Chargers went 13-3, but that wasn’t enough to top Brees and winner Peyton Manning.