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3 times Baltimore Ravens had an argument for being MVP

By Chris Schisler

Nov 1, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis gets introduced during the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis gets introduced during the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 3, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Baltimore Ravens helmet on the sidelines against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Ravens defeated the Falcons 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Baltimore Ravens helmet on the sidelines against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Ravens defeated the Falcons 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Jamal Lewis in 2003

How Jamal Lewis wasn’t the MVP in 2003 is beyond me. Peyton Manning and Steve McNair split the award as co-MVP’s that year. They were both incredible players who lifted their team to the playoffs. I cannot dispute that. I would say though, that when a running back goes over 2,000 yards in a season, he’s probably the MVP.

Related Story: Why Kenneth Dixon is the next great running back

Kyle Boller and Anthony Wright were the Ravens quarterbacks in that season. How could any player have meant more to their team than Jamal Lewis meant to the 2003 Ravens? Number 31 rushed for 2,066 yards that year. That was the third most yards a running back had ever gained, and it was just short of Eric Dickerson’s 1984 performance. There is precedent for a historic rusher being passed up by a QB though. In 1984, Dan Marino was the MVP.

Lewis Averaged 129.1 yards per game in 2003. He was unstoppable and he carried the Ravens’ offense on his back. Lewis had a real argument for being the MVP of the league.

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