The season is a quarter of the way done, and it is clear in these pass-happy times, it will be difficult for even a dynamic offensive player such as Adrian Peterson to beat a quarterback for the MVP award when all is said and done.
Quarterbacks always have the inside track for the MVP award. And whether that’s good, bad or a whatever, it is nonetheless true.
The passers have won the award 32 times while all of the rest of the positions have won it 18 times combined with 15 of those being running backs.
Which brings us to Peyton Manning, who could be the first four-time MVP in league history if things roll on the way they have gone thus far. The Colts are 4-0 with Manning having thrown for at least 300 yards in all four starts.
No other quarterback has more than two 300- yard games — Philip Rivers, Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees, Matt Schaub, Kevin Kolb and Joe Flacco all have two.
Must-see game of the week
Bengals (3-1) at Ravens (3-1)
11 a.m., KCNC-4
The Bengals are a deflected pass — for a Broncos touchdown in Week 1 — from being 4-0. And they have done it with QB Carson Palmer not at his best, at minus-2 in the turnover margin and with a defense that is 17th in yards allowed per game, but tied for fifth in points allowed. The Ravens have lived on defense for years — dating to when Bengals coach Marvin Lewis was their defensive coordinator — but it’s their offense, scoring at a 31 points a game clip, that now makes them difficult to beat.
The difference will be: Which quarterback cracks first. Palmer has thrown five interceptions this season, while Baltimore’s Flacco, in just his second year, is tied for third in the league with eight touchdown passes.
The call: Ravens 28-21
Catch them if you can
Raiders (1-3) at Giants (4-0), 11 a.m.
Love ’em or hate ’em — and there is really no in between — this game will be the moment for the Raiders for 2009. Either they’re interested in being something more than they have been in recent years or they’ll continue to pick up checks and fail to compete against the team going places. This is the Raiders’ first trip to Giants Stadium since 2001.
The call: Giants 31-9
Falcons (2-1) at 49ers (3-1), 2 p.m.
Atlanta is coming off a bye week, which may have been good for its offense. Michael Turner has averaged just 3.5 yards a carry after powering the Falcons to the playoffs last season. The 49ers are going to need even more from QB Shaun Hill — five TDs and one interception so far — as RB Frank Gore recovers from a knee injury.
The call: Falcons 24-16
Texans (2-2) at Cardinals (1-2), 2:15 p.m.
Could be a little history in this one as Arizona QB Kurt Warner goes for the 50th 300-yard passing game of his career. He would be the sixth QB to reach that milestone all time, and he will have done it far more quickly than any other QB. Warner has thrown for at least 300 yards in 49 of 112 games in his career. Hall of Famer Dan Marino reached 50 300-yard outings in 176 games, which is currently the quickest in history.
The call: Cardinals 31-27
Colts (4-0) at Titans (0-4), 6:15 p.m., KUSA-9
The Colts have outscored their opponents by 44 points, and Manning has four 300-yard passing games. The Titans will need plenty of good fortune to avoid a nationally televised thumping.
The call: Colts 35-20
Quick hitters
Browns (0-4) at Bills (1-3), 11 a.m.
Cleveland coach Eric Mangini decided last week to trade WR Braylon Edwards to the Jets. But Cleveland needs TDs, and the Raiders are the only AFC team that has scored fewer points.
The call: Bills 13-10
Redskins (2-2) at Panthers (0-3), 11 a.m.
The Panthers’ offensive line and running game have struggled, but their passing game has betrayed them the most in their dismal start.
The call: Panthers 21-16
Steelers (2-2) at Lions (1-3), 11 a.m.
The Steelers are expected to start Rashard Mendenhall at RB with Willie Parker still battling a toe injury.
The call: Steelers 30-14
Cowboys (2-2) at Chiefs (0-4), 11 a.m., KDVR-31
Kansas City, with little team speed, especially on offense, has one of the more limited rosters in the league.
The call: Cowboys 24-13
Buccaneers (0-4) at Eagles (2-1), 11 a.m.
Could be a festival of ugliness here. The Buccaneers have plenty of troubles, the Eagles have had a week off to prepare and Philadelphia QB Donovan McNabb is expected to start.
The call: Eagles 35-10
Vikings (4-0) at Rams (0-4), 11 a.m.
The Rams are the lowest scoring team in the league (six points a game) and their only real hope in this one is if the Vikings basked in their Monday win over the Packers.
The call: Vikings 27-3
Jaguars (2-2) at Seahawks (1-3), 2:15 p.m.
The Seahawks are expected to play Matt Hasselbeck at QB though he is still recovering from a fractured rib.
The call: Seahawks 17-14
Legwold’s record
10-4 last week
43-19 for the season
