TAMPA, Fla. -- On the heels of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady's three-touchdown performance in a 41-17 win over the Carolina Panthers, which ended in "MVP!" chants from fans inside Raymond James Stadium, coach Bruce Arians made a strong case for his 44-year-old signal-caller to win the award.

"I think if he doesn't get it, it's a travesty," Arians said Monday, as his team began preparations to host the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC wild-card round this weekend. "Most completions ever, 5,000 yards, touchdowns -- the whole nine yards. To me, it's not even a close race."