McNair, Manning MVPs

Tennessee, Indianapolis QBs share award

It seems fitting Peyton Manning and Steve McNair shared The Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player award Friday. After all, their teams finished with the same record and tied atop the AFC South.

In just the third tie since the award began in 1957, the premier passers each received 16 votes Friday from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL.

Manning and McNair led their teams to 12-4 records, with Manning’s Indianapolis Colts edging McNair’s Tennessee Titans for the AFC South crown by winning both games against the Titans.

New England quarterback Tom Brady finished third with eight votes, followed by Baltimore running back Lewis, the AP Offensive Player of the Year, with five. Kansas City running back Priest Holmes had three votes, and Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis, the AP Defensive Player of the Year, received two.

McNair led the league with a 100.4 passer rating to Manning’s 99.0.