The season numbers for Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers have put him right in the center of the MVP discussion with three games to go in 2020, but it’s the way the two-time MVP has achieved those numbers that might make him the front runner for the award.
Rodgers is not only playing at an elite level overall, but his consistent greatness week-to-week has few rivals, both this season and in league history.
First, the season numbers are certainly MVP-worthy. Rodgers leads the NFL in touchdown passes (39), passer rating (119.7), QBR (84.8), touchdown percentage (8.7) and adjusted net yards per attempt (9.05). He is having a historic season by any individual measure. And the Packers are first in the NFL in points per game (31.5) and points per drive (2.97).
But don’t discount the incredible consistency from the Packers quarterback in 2020.
In 12 of 13 games, Rodgers has thrown at least two touchdown passes and finished with a passer rating of 100.0 or more, four more than any other quarterback this season and one fewer than his 2011 MVP season.
Rodgers has nine games with three or more touchdown passes and zero interceptions, the most in NFL history in a single season.
Rodgers has three or more touchdown passes and a passer rating of 100.0 or more in 10 games, tying the NFL record.
Rodgers has completed at least 65 percent of his passes in 11 of 13 games. He’s hit 70 percent or better in eight games, including each of the last six games.
Rodgers is the first quarterback in NFL history to throw multiple touchdown passes and complete at least 70 percent of his passes in six straight games. It’s an active streak dating back to Week 9.
Rodgers has averaged at least 8.0 yards per attempt in 10 of 13 games.
In his first four games, Rodgers completed 70.5 percent of his passes, averaged 303.5 passing yards per game, threw 13 touchdown passes (second-most) without an interception, and had a passer rating of 128.4 (second-best)
In his last eight games, Rodgers completed 72.3 percent of his passes, averaged 288 passing yards per game, threw 26 touchdown passes (eight more than any other quarterback) and only two interceptions, and had a passer rating of 126.0 (first in NFL).
Rodgers has nine games graded at or above 80.0 at Pro Football Focus, the most among quarterbacks.
Rodgers is first in the NFL in games with a passer rating over 100.0 (12), first in games with a passer rating over 125.0 (7) and first in games with a passer rating over 140.0 (2). He’s first in games with three or more touchdown passes (10) and tied for first in games with four or more touchdown passes (5). He’s tied for first in games with a completion percentage over 70.0 (8). He’s first in games averaging 8.0 or more yards per attempt (10). He’s tied for first in games without an interception (10).
The one hiccup was a two-interception afternoon in Tampa Bay, the only real blemish on an otherwise stupendous season from the MVP winner in 2011 and 2014.
With one more touchdown pass, Rodgers will become the first quarterback in NFL history with 40 or more touchdown passes in three different seasons. At his current pace, Rodgers will throw 48 touchdown passes, setting a new career-high.
Few players have achieved the type of numbers Rodgers is putting up this season. And just about no one has done it with the same consistency as Rodgers.