2012, Best Player in the NFL

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The sweet sixteen, our set here features the two super bowl starting QB's, the player considered the best runningback in the game, and a defensive force for the San Francisco 49ers. Only two will move on from this party, and only the best will.

 

You know how to vote. Throw potential out the window and vote for the best player right now. Topics will go until 8 EST unless it's been less than 24 hours, otherwise the polls will continue for 24 hours. Pretty simple stuff.

 

Our Matches:

 

5. Patrick Willis, ILB, San Francisco 49ers

2011 Stats: 82 tackles, 23 assists, 2 sacks, 4 FF's, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 INT, 13 PD's

 

2012 Tournament Results:

Defeated 60th Seed Daryl Smith 9-1

Defeated 37th seed Nick Mangold 11-1

 

vs.

 

21. Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants

2011 Stats: 359/589, 61.0 Comp%, 4933 yards, 8.4 YPA, 29 TD's, 16 INT's

 

2012 Tournament Results:

Defeated 44th seed Jared Allen 6-4

Defeated 12th seed Maurice Jones-Drew 7-5

 

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4. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots

2011 Stats: 401/611, 65.6 Comp%, 5235 yards, 8.6 YPA, 39 TD's, 12 INT's

 

2012 Tournament Results:

Defeated 61st seed Tony Romo 10-1

Defeated 36th seed Calais Campbell 10-2

 

vs.

 

13. Adrian Peterson, HB, Minnesota Vikings

2011 Stats: 208 carries, 970 yards, 12 TD's | 18 catches, 139 yards, 1 TD | 1 fumble

 

2012 Tournament Results:

Defeated 52nd seed Frank Gore 10-1

Defeated 20th seed Ben Roethlisberger 7-5

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Willis > Manning. In terms of being offensive/defensive leaders, these guys were pretty much dead even in 2011. The difference is that 2011 was by far the best year of Eli's career, while Willis has been doing it every year.

 

Brady > Peterson. Given Brady's lack of "wow" in the playoffs in recent years, I might be tempted to vote for Peterson, but the lack of value at the RB position coupled with AP's knee injury gives Tom the nod.