My NFL MVP ballot

Throughout the season, I kept track of the top NFL MVP contenders even though I didn't pay attention to record-setting games or cumulative statistics.

For example, I didn't care that Lamar Jackson led the league in touchdown passes and accounted for 43 total touchdowns. Or that Michael Thomas set the single-season receptions record.

All I asked of each player:

• Did his team win the game?
• Did he have a passer rating of 97 or better, and/or have 85 or more total yards from scrimmage in the game?

After looking at data, 97 and 85 are the numbers I decided were indicators of a "major" contribution to a team's victory. Therefore, the more often a player was a major contributor to a victory, the more "valuable" he is to his team.

It really is as simple as that.

Jackson reached a 97 rating OR 85 yards from scrimmage in 12 victories; Thomas had 85 yards from scrimmage in 10 games. Russell Wilson had 10  wins in which his rating was 97 or better. No other player in the leagues ht either mark 10 times in victories. 

Between the two, I'd give the nod to Wilson over Thomas for 2nd place in MVP. While Thomas was astonlisingly productive under two different quarterbacks, Wilson needed to be every bit as good as he was for the Seahawks to win as many games as they did.

1. Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens, 14-2, 12 MVP points
2. Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks 11-5, 10 MVP Points 

3. Michael Thomas, WR, Saints, 13-3, 10 MVP Points

When the final results come out the day before the Super Bowl, it's likely Jackson will win MVP with Wilson coming in second. But the voters tend to look at too many things, including great games in losses. They conflate best player with most valuable.

Deciding the MVP isn't that complicated.

James Leroy Wilson writes from Nebraska. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter. If you find value in his articles, your support through Paypal helps keep him going. Permission to reprint is granted with attribution.