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Julie Jacobson/Associated Press

Peyton Manning, quarterback, Denver Broncos (Consensus)

Formality City. Peyton Manning set the single-season passing yard record and the single-season touchdown record in 2013, his Denver Broncos went 13-3, captured the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs and marched on to the Super Bowl.

[Exhale]

While he certainly had a talented collection of offensive personnel around him, Manning made the absolute most of it—Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker went over 1,200 yards receiving with double-digit touchdown totals and they were among five weapons who caught at least 60 passes during the regular season.

National NFL Lead Writer Ty Schalter was succinct in his explanation for picking Manning: "The best statistical season by any quarterback, ever. He used all his weapons at maximum effectiveness, played great when it counted."

Oh, and tight end Julius Thomas, who had one career reception before this year, caught 65 passes for 788 yards with 12 touchdowns before the playoffs.

Manning was the easy choice here.