McNair is a good QB who has had a good season. But he doesn't deserve it the way Manning does.

Points to consider --

McNair missed all or most of 4 games -- a quarter of the season.

Manning beat him twice.

Manning led his team to the same record despite having a much worse defense, a much worse offensive line, and a weaker overall group of receivers (both have RBs who ranked in the bottom half of the AFC).

Manning had more TDs, more passing yards, more total offense and a higher passing percentage despite much weaker pass protection.

McNair had far more turnovers and was sacked far more often. If the passer rating properly accounted for sacks and fumbles while trying to pass, Manning's rating would have been far better. Manning is the best in the NFL at throwing the ball away to avoid a sack. This hurts his rating but helps his team. McNair takes too many sacks (and fumbles while being sacked). The sacks are far more harmful to the team than a throwaway, but don't hurt his rating.

In sum, Manning is acknowledged as the best in the league at running a team at the line. He had the best stats. He led his team to a sweep against the Titans. He played in every game. And his team has far less talent than the Titans.

I haven't heard a single rational argument that favors McNair over Manning for MVP.

"McNair is a good QB who has had a good season. But he doesn't deserve it the way Manning does."

Deserve it the way Manning does? Okay, let's see what you have to say. Keep in mind that the MVP is Most Valuable Player to his team, not the most or the best statistical player.

"McNair missed all or most of 4 games -- a quarter of the season."

This a valid point, and I can see the significance as it speaks to durability and availability to your team. However, McNair did start 14 out of the 16 games. McNair also played hurt. Actually he didn't just play hurt, but he performed at a superb level while hurt.

"Manning beat him twice."

Another good point.

"Manning led his team to the same record despite having a much worse defense, a much worse offensive line, and a weaker overall group of receivers (both have RBs who ranked in the bottom half of the AFC)."

Much worse defense? This claim is simply not true. Both defenses recorded 30 or more team sacks (Indy 31, Tenn 38). Indy recorded 15 team interceptions and Tennessee 21. I won't argue that Tenn's D isn't better than Indy's D, but not 'much' better. I would characterize the team's Ds as comparable.

"a much worse offensive line". I really have a hard time believing this claim. Indy allowed only 19 sacks while Tennessee allowed 25. Mannings numbers and durability are also testament to Indy's O-line providing better protection than Tenn's O-line.

"a weaker overall group of receivers". Please. Marvin Harrison alone makes this claim absurd. Not to mention the fact that Brandon Stokley has a superbowl ring. I'll take the compliment of Harrison, Stokley, Wayne, and Pollard over Bennett, McCareins,(who?) and Wycheck any day.

"Manning had more TDs, more passing yards, more total offense and a higher passing percentage despite much weaker pass protection."

Weaker pass protection? That is simply not true. Manning had 5 more TDs than McNair. Manning also threw 3 more interceptions than McNair.

"McNair had far more turnovers and was sacked far more often. If the passer rating properly accounted for sacks and fumbles while trying to pass, Manning's rating would have been far better. Manning is the best in the NFL at throwing the ball away to avoid a sack. This hurts his rating but helps his team. McNair takes too many sacks (and fumbles while being sacked). The sacks are far more harmful to the team than a throwaway, but don't hurt his rating."

"McNair had far more turnovers and was sacked far more often". McNair had more fumbles than Manning, but not interceptions. McNair had 3 more total turnovers than Manning this year. McNair was sacked 6 more times than Manning this season. I thought you had said McNair received better pass protection? This would seem to disprove that claim.

"McNair takes too many sacks (and fumbles while being sacked). The sacks are far more harmful to the team than a throwaway..." I thought you said that McNair had better pass protection?

"In sum, Manning is acknowledged as the best in the league at running a team at the line." No. You just acknowledged it. Please point me to the 'experts' who acknowledged it. I can point to the voters of the MVP award who acknowledged Manning had an MVP type season. I can also point to the same number of voters who thought McNair had an MVP type season.

"And his team has far less talent than the Titans." This is not true.

"I haven't heard a single rational argument that favors McNair over Manning for MVP."

In the spirit of the MVP I would say both were worthy candidates, as evidenced by the split vote and co-MVPs. I can't see a single rational argument from you that favors Manning over McNair.

With all that said let's see if Manning can blow the doors off the Broncos with another MVP type performance like his last one. 12/23 for 146 yrds and No TDs.

Go Broncos!

So your Titans finally beat my Ravens. It's about friggin' time. :)

My hats off to them and good luck the rest of the way.

The MVP decision is premature... very much like this year's Heisman vote. Why not wait until the season is over so the jury has a "complete" case to judge?

"Most" implies a superlative that should apply to "One, only". Manning & McNair are both terrific athletes/players. The one strike I see against McNair is his activity off the field... how valuable is a player to his team who doesn't have the self respect to avoid driving while intoxicated?

IMHO

"With all that said let's see if Manning can blow the doors off the Broncos with another MVP type performance like his last one. 12/23 for 146 yrds and No TDs"

How about 22-of-26 for 377 yards and five TDs with a rating of 158.3?

As a Cowboys fan, I'm a fairly neutral observer on this one; it'd be hard to argue for Quincy Carter.

If the argument is for who's the "toughest" QB, then it's either McNair or Brett Favre. Not only has Favre been hurt, too, but he has carried on the most crucial part of the season after his father died tragically at age 58. And he hasn't missed a game in, what, a decade?

If it's the best statistical QB, I'd say Manning.

If it's the player that, if absent, would pretty much guarantee his team would be sunk, I'd say Michael Vick, followed by some combination of Ray Lewis, Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, and Priest Holmes. McNair is a superb QB (I'd trade you Quincy Carter for him straight up!) but the Titans can win without him; I don't think it's true for those other teams.

Someone has to say it.

McNair won MVP because of Limbaugh's comments.

NFL and new media: We are so not racists!
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Irony

Byna

Steve McNair haters, you can't deny what is. The man's a GREAT quarterback and well deservent of an MPV honor. How unfortunate for other teams if they can't win a game or two without their starting quarterback. That's what they pay back -ups to do.