ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 23: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons runs out on the field prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at Georgia Dome on November 23, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

NFL announces the winner of the 2016 MVP award

He definitely deserved it.

Throughout the Playoffs, the NFL MVP race seemed like a close competition between Atlanta's Matt Ryan, New England's Tom Brady, and Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers.

At the end of the day, the NFL decided to award the MVP to a first-timer, announcing that Ryan had won the award after leading the Falcons to an appearance in the Super Bowl.

Ryan was definitely deserving of the award, throwing for 4,944 yards and 38 touchdowns in the regular season, all while leading the Falcons to the 2-seed in the NFC. Ryan didn't slow down in the Playoffs, either, and his play is absolutely a major reason to why Atlanta is making their second ever appearance in the Super Bowl.

Some will say he's been there for a few years, but with the MVP award in hand, Ryan has cemented himself among the league's elite quarterbacks.