Arians thinks Brady should win MVP: 'It's not even a close race'

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians has no doubt that quarterback Tom Brady should be named MVP this season.

"If he doesn't get it, it's a travesty," Arians said Monday. "Most completions ever, 5,000 yards, touchdowns. ... To me, it's not even a close race."

Brady entered the final month of the regular season as the betting favorite for the award, but Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers has since leapfrogged him as the front-runner.

Brady led all quarterbacks in most statistical categories, including completions, passing yards, and touchdowns. He posted a 13-4 record and helped Tampa Bay win the NFC South for the first time since 2007.

Meanwhile, Rodgers, who went 13-3, topped the NFL in passer rating and total QBR while guiding Green Bay to the NFC's No. 1 seed.

Both quarterbacks have overcome adversities.

Brady had his top skill-position players available in just two games, as wide receivers Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Antonio Brown, as well as tight end Rob Gronkowski and running back Leonard Fournette, all missed at least one contest due to injuries.

Rodgers, who's been playing through a broken toe, didn't have All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari on the field until Week 18. The signal-caller also saw tight end Robert Tonyan go down with a season-ending injury in Week 8.

The Packers were held to only seven points in their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9, the only game Rodgers missed this season.

Brady and Rodgers each have three MVP awards. Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning holds the record with five wins.