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Super Bowl MVP: Which Patriots have the best chance?

By Patrick Morgan

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 13: James White #28 of the New England Patriots reacts after the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 13: James White #28 of the New England Patriots reacts after the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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2. James White

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 13: James White #28 of the New England Patriots carries the ball during the fourth quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 13: James White #28 of the New England Patriots carries the ball during the fourth quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

James White has done everything and more that McDaniels, Belichick, Brady, and the rest of the Patriots franchise has ever asked of him. The fifth-year back out of Wisconsin is carrying on the proud legacy of a long line of standout pass-catching running backs in New England’s offense (think Kevin Faulk, Shane Vereen, etc).

While it’s true that he splits time, carries, and catches with the Patriots’ other elite options at the position – Sony Michel and Rex Burkhead – White still managed to log career highs in all meaningful categories this year. He finished the 2018 regular season with 94 carries, 425 yards rushing, 87 catches, 751 yards receiving, and 12 total touchdowns, all professional bests for him.

It feels almost sacrilegious to talk about White without mentioning his absurd production in that championship game against the Falcons – especially in a column about Super Bowl MVPs, no less. Two years ago, White turned himself into a household name overnight after finishing with 29 yards rushing, 110 yards receiving, and 3 total touchdowns (two on the ground and one through the air).

As mentioned earlier, many pundits believed his stellar performance warranted Super Bowl MVP honors that day over Tom Brady… though it’s also hard to discount what Brady did in leading his team through the greatest comeback in NFL history.

At the end of the day, game flow might be the single biggest factor playing into whether Michel or White has a real chance at winning the MVP. If Michel takes home the trophy, it’s probably because the Patriots’ plan worked, and the team cruised to an easy victory over the Rams by grinding it out on the ground and eating up valuable clock. If White wins, it’ll be because the Rams were able to stop the run, and forced Brady and the Patriots to beat them through the air – and potentially in comeback fashion once again.

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