Manning Easy MVP Choice

In a season stock-full of talent, but lacking the kind of "difference-maker" among the league's best teams, Peyton Manning became the no-brainer choice for MVP.
Manning kick-started the Colts back from a 3-4 record into the playoffs as perhaps the team to beat. Lacking the numbers of some of the other candidates, Manning won for a record-tying third time (matching Brett Favre) because no other individual on teams with a better record quite matched Manning's heart, resilience and ability.
Here were the other options and a synopsis as to why Manning reigned supreme.

Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans
Came within 18 yards of the single-season passing record and threw 34 touchdowns for the most potent offense of 2008. Despite all that, Brees picked up just eight wins.

Phillip Rivers, QB, San Diego
LaDainian Tomlinson hurting, the defense lifeless without "Lights Out" Shawne Merriman and the offensive line struggling for unknown reasons, Rivers took on a "Can't Win" role and made an MVP-like season out of it. He threw a franchise-best 34 touchdowns and was the only quarterback to boast a quarterback rating of at least 100 (105.5).
Mistakes at the end of games by both he and the defense resulted in an unsatisfactory 8-8 record.

Kurt Warner, QB, Arizona
Hard work and that uncanny ability to put the ball in the hands of his playmakers allowed Warner to have yet another monster season, this time at the age of 37. His 4,583 yards ranked second and his 30 touchdowns and 96.9 rating third.
Again, a mediocre record in an atrocious division combined with a terrible finish prevented Warner, not Manning, from tying the NFL record for MVPs in a career.

Chad Pennington, QB, Miami
Unwanted in the Meadowlands, Pennington took a franchise left for dead following a 1-15 season into the playoffs, tying a league record for best single-season turnaround.
Value not lacking, his numbers just don't do the trick in a packed field (19 touchdowns on 3,653 yards).

Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota
The most dynamic and explosive runner in all of football was done in by the fumble bug. His nine drops paced all backs.

Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta
Clearly the best free agent sign of the 2008 offseason, Turner made Matt Ryan's tranisition from college to the pros easy. Second in the NFL in rushing yards (1,699) and touchdowns (17) on a playoff-bound team is impressive. It's hard to argue against the value of a dominant and consistent running back, but the quarterback ultimately makes the decisions and carries with him more the burden of losing and congratulations of winning.

Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee
The best offensive player on the league's best team deserves serious recognition, just not MVP.

James Harrison, LB, Pittsburgh
Ditto about the best defensive player in the league.