It's official: Tom Brady has won his second MVP award. Brady, who led the Patriots to a 14-2 record in 2010, also won the award in 2007 when he passed for an NFL record 50 touchdowns while leading New England to a 16-0 record as well as the highest scoring offense in NFL history.
↵The most amazing thing about this particular MVP award is the fact that it was unanimous. It's the first unanimous NFL MVP award given out since the Associated Press started using a nationwide panel. Even in 2007 when Brady won the MVP, he only received 49 of the 50 votes. The other vote went to Brett Favre.
↵Of course, it is still a disappointing season in New England. The Patriots began the season somewhat on the back burner to most; the playoff loss to Baltimore was still on everybody's minds and the Patriots didn't appear to do much to address their defensive needs in the offseason. The Pats lost to the Jets in Week 2 and then dealt Randy Moss in their bye week - surely the Pats were rebuilding, right? Wrong. New England would go 14-2 in the regular season and they'd score essentially at will, and it was clear that they had become the best team in the NFL for this year.
↵Unfortunately for Pats fans such as myself, the expectations weren't met in January. New England fans have been spoiled by success, winning the Super Bowl in the '01, '04 and '05 seasons. Ever since then, years are judged only by Super Bowl wins, which is unfair. Establishing a dynasty only happens every so often and to expect it to span a decade is simply unreasonable. The Patriots will always be Super Bowl contenders as long as Brady and Bill Belichick are at the helm - this year is the perfect example of that - and that's all Pats fans can really ask for.
↵There is a silver lining, of course, and it is all these awards that New England is scooping up. It's nice that Brady has two MVP awards now. Let's take a look at the score, shall we?
↵Brady: 2 MVP awards, 2 Super Bowl MVP awards, 3 Super Bowl rings
Peyton Manning: 4 MVP Awards, 1 Super Bowl MVP award, 1 Super Bowl ring.
Advantage: Brady.
↵Go 2011 Pats.