Niner Noise
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Super Bowl LIII: 5 candidates who may take home MVP hardware

By Peter Panacy

HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, left, and New England Patriots' Tom Brady with the Pete Rozelle MVP Trophy during the Super Bowl Winner and MVP press conference on February 6, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, left, and New England Patriots' Tom Brady with the Pete Rozelle MVP Trophy during the Super Bowl Winner and MVP press conference on February 6, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 23: Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates a sack in the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 23: Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates a sack in the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Defensive Tackle Aaron Donald, Rams

Only two defensive players — Seattle Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith (2014) and Denver Broncos EDGE Von Miller (2016) — have won Super Bowl MVP honors over the last 15 years.

So the chances of seeing that between two potent offenses in Super Bowl LIII appears slim.

Until you factor in arguably the best defender in the NFL, Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

Donald just earned Pro Bowl honors for the fifth time in his five-year career. And he also just took home first-team All-Pro accolades, too — the fourth year in a row. So, why not add a Super Bowl MVP award on top of his already impressive résumé?

Yes, the Patriots did an excellent job keeping Tom Brady protected during their AFC Championship win over the Chiefs. And Football Outsiders ranks the Pats’ offensive line No. 1 overall in pass protection as well.

Still, just thinking about Donald’s 20.5 sacks this season should make Brady and Co. tremble.