A recent Cardinals news release announcing Kurt Warner as the NFC's offensive player of the week carried an improbable historical revelation.
With his latest stellar performance, Warner joined Johnny Unitas as the only players in NFL history to post four consecutive games with a passer rating of 120 or higher.
Warner plays in a passing age, but the link to Unitas gave the feat a timeless quality.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame features 23 modern-era quarterbacks with surnames familiar to fans of any generation. Playing the position well requires more than glossy stats, of course, but most Hall of Fame quarterbacks have put up staggering numbers at some point in their careers.
Warner has a chance to extend his streak to five games when he faces the 49ers on "Monday Night Football" in Week 14. Warner posted a 121.9 rating in his most recent MNF game (last season, also against the 49ers).
While Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Brett Favre have dominated the MVP Watch list this season, Warner and Philip Rivers deserve more prominence in the conversation.
Rivers has won seven consecutive starts. Warner has posted a 7-1 record in his last eight.
Rivers has arguably been hotter than Warner over the last month. In his last four games, Rivers has completed 76 percent of his passes for 1,066 yards with seven touchdowns, no interceptions and a 133.2 rating.
1. DREW BREES
Leads the NFL in passer rating, passing touchdowns and yards per attempt. Leads the NFL in passing yards (17,446) since joining the Saints for the 2006 season. Coming off his first 400-yard game of the season. One of 13 players in NFL history to finish a single game with at least 419 yards and no more than one interception while completing at least 71 percent of his passes. Brees has done it three times. No one else has managed the feat more than once. 
2. PEYTON MANNING
On pace to finish with a passer rating in triple digits for the first time since the 2006 season. Has averaged two TD passes per game during current 21-game regular-season winning streak. Has proven he can win shootouts or low-scoring games. Though known for putting up points, the Colts have won this season by scores of 14-12, 18-14, 20-17 and 17-15. 
3. BRETT FAVRE
Ranks second to Brees in passer rating and had gone four games without an interception before Sunday night. Took a step back against the Cardinals and needs to make sure bad habits do not creep back into his game. On pace for 35 TD passes with only seven INTs. 4. KURT WARNER
Recently became the first quarterback in Cardinals history to exceed 3,000 yards passing in three consecutive seasons. Has attempted 121 passes since his last interception, the second-longest active streak in the league. Needs three TD passes to join Fran Tarkenton as the only players with at least 100 for two NFL franchises. 5. PHILIP RIVERS
Passer rating has exceeded 130 in three of the Chargers' last four games (rating was a still-sizzling 109.1 in the other game). Has consistently played at a high level during Chargers' seven-game winning streak. Ranks second only to Brees in yards per attempt. On pace to join Brees as one of nine quarterbacks in NFL history to average at least 8.8 yards on at least 374 attempts. The list includes Joe Montana, Manning, Dan Marino and Sonny Jurgensen. 6. AARON RODGERS
On pace to join Tom Brady (2007) and Favre (2009) as the only players in NFL history with 33 or more touchdown passes and nine or fewer interceptions in a season. Has at least three TD passes in four of his last seven games. Has taken only four sacks in his last 128 pass plays after taking 16 in his previous 112. 7. CHRIS JOHNSON
The Titans must resume winning for Johnson to have any realistic chance at becoming MVP. Expect that to happen against the Rams in Week 14. He could have a monster game against a Rams defense that is running low on personnel and could not stop the Seahawks' Justin Forsett two weeks ago. 8. CHARLES WOODSON
Has seven interceptions and numerous more big plays for a defense that has held opposing quarterbacks to a 67.7 passer rating this season. Opposing quarterbacks have 22 touchdowns and 21 interceptions while completing 52.3 percent of their passes. Those numbers are phenomenal, particularly with rules designed to favor passing games. 9. ELVIS DUMERVIL
Needs one sack to match Simon Fletcher's franchise single-season record, set in 1992. Has 3.0 sacks over his last two games for a defense that has allowed one TD and 19 total points during that span. On pace to become the eighth player with 20 sacks in a season since the NFL began officially tracking the stat in 1982. 10. CEDRIC BENSON
Rushed for 113 yards in his first game back from injury. Has played a key role in a grind-it-out offense that has helped the Bengals improbably sweep the AFC North while posting a 9-3 record. Benson isn't going to win MVP honors, but he belongs on the fringes of the conversation if he continues to produce and the Bengals keep winning.
With his latest stellar performance, Warner joined Johnny Unitas as the only players in NFL history to post four consecutive games with a passer rating of 120 or higher.
Rank 'Em: NFL MVP Candidates
How do you size up the NFL MVP race? This week was something of a down one for our MVP candidates; no dominant performances really stood out, and many players struggled mightily as the weight of the season has started to catch up with them.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame features 23 modern-era quarterbacks with surnames familiar to fans of any generation. Playing the position well requires more than glossy stats, of course, but most Hall of Fame quarterbacks have put up staggering numbers at some point in their careers.
Warner has a chance to extend his streak to five games when he faces the 49ers on "Monday Night Football" in Week 14. Warner posted a 121.9 rating in his most recent MNF game (last season, also against the 49ers).
While Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Brett Favre have dominated the MVP Watch list this season, Warner and Philip Rivers deserve more prominence in the conversation.
Rivers has won seven consecutive starts. Warner has posted a 7-1 record in his last eight.
Rivers has arguably been hotter than Warner over the last month. In his last four games, Rivers has completed 76 percent of his passes for 1,066 yards with seven touchdowns, no interceptions and a 133.2 rating.
1. DREW BREES
QB | New Orleans Saints
| CMP | ATT | YDS | CMP% | YPA | LNG | TD | INT | SACK | RAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 271 | 392 | 3,536 | 69.1 | 9.02 | 75 | 29 | 10 | 15 | 111.3 |
Leads the NFL in passer rating, passing touchdowns and yards per attempt. Leads the NFL in passing yards (17,446) since joining the Saints for the 2006 season. Coming off his first 400-yard game of the season. One of 13 players in NFL history to finish a single game with at least 419 yards and no more than one interception while completing at least 71 percent of his passes. Brees has done it three times. No one else has managed the feat more than once. Last Week: 1
2. PEYTON MANNING
QB | Indianapolis Colts
| CMP | ATT | YDS | CMP% | YPA | LNG | TD | INT | SACK | RAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 322 | 460 | 3,685 | 70.0 | 8.01 | 80 | 25 | 11 | 10 | 101.9 |
On pace to finish with a passer rating in triple digits for the first time since the 2006 season. Has averaged two TD passes per game during current 21-game regular-season winning streak. Has proven he can win shootouts or low-scoring games. Though known for putting up points, the Colts have won this season by scores of 14-12, 18-14, 20-17 and 17-15.Last Week: 3
3. BRETT FAVRE
QB | Minnesota Vikings
| CMP | ATT | YDS | CMP% | YPA | LNG | TD | INT | SACK | RAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 278 | 403 | 3,149 | 69.0 | 7.81 | 63 | 26 | 5 | 25 | 108.5 |
Ranks second to Brees in passer rating and had gone four games without an interception before Sunday night. Took a step back against the Cardinals and needs to make sure bad habits do not creep back into his game. On pace for 35 TD passes with only seven INTs.Last Week: 2
4. KURT WARNER
QB | Arizona Cardinals
| CMP | ATT | YDS | CMP% | YPA | LNG | TD | INT | SACK | RAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 273 | 404 | 3,003 | 67.6 | 7.43 | 44 | 23 | 11 | 16 | 97.0 |
Recently became the first quarterback in Cardinals history to exceed 3,000 yards passing in three consecutive seasons. Has attempted 121 passes since his last interception, the second-longest active streak in the league. Needs three TD passes to join Fran Tarkenton as the only players with at least 100 for two NFL franchises.Last Week: NR
5. PHILIP RIVERS
QB | San Diego Chargers
| CMP | ATT | YDS | CMP% | YPA | LNG | TD | INT | SACK | RAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 242 | 374 | 3,311 | 64.7 | 8.85 | 81 | 21 | 6 | 21 | 104.9 |
Passer rating has exceeded 130 in three of the Chargers' last four games (rating was a still-sizzling 109.1 in the other game). Has consistently played at a high level during Chargers' seven-game winning streak. Ranks second only to Brees in yards per attempt. On pace to join Brees as one of nine quarterbacks in NFL history to average at least 8.8 yards on at least 374 attempts. The list includes Joe Montana, Manning, Dan Marino and Sonny Jurgensen.Last Week: 5
6. AARON RODGERS
QB | Green Bay Packers
| CMP | ATT | YDS | CMP% | YPA | LNG | TD | INT | SACK | RAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 275 | 420 | 3,399 | 65.5 | 8.09 | 74 | 25 | 7 | 45 | 103.3 |
On pace to join Tom Brady (2007) and Favre (2009) as the only players in NFL history with 33 or more touchdown passes and nine or fewer interceptions in a season. Has at least three TD passes in four of his last seven games. Has taken only four sacks in his last 128 pass plays after taking 16 in his previous 112. Last Week: 6
7. CHRIS JOHNSON
RB | Tennessee Titans
| ATT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 217 | 1,509 | 6.2 | 91 | 9 | 39 | 322 | 8.3 | 69 | 1 |
The Titans must resume winning for Johnson to have any realistic chance at becoming MVP. Expect that to happen against the Rams in Week 14. He could have a monster game against a Rams defense that is running low on personnel and could not stop the Seahawks' Justin Forsett two weeks ago.Last Week: 4
8. CHARLES WOODSON
CB | Green Bay Packers
| TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | INT | YDS | LNG | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58 | 54 | 4 | 2.0 | 7 | 125 | 38 | 2 |
Has seven interceptions and numerous more big plays for a defense that has held opposing quarterbacks to a 67.7 passer rating this season. Opposing quarterbacks have 22 touchdowns and 21 interceptions while completing 52.3 percent of their passes. Those numbers are phenomenal, particularly with rules designed to favor passing games.Last Week: 8
9. ELVIS DUMERVIL
DE | Denver Broncos
| TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | 36 | 6 | 15.0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Needs one sack to match Simon Fletcher's franchise single-season record, set in 1992. Has 3.0 sacks over his last two games for a defense that has allowed one TD and 19 total points during that span. On pace to become the eighth player with 20 sacks in a season since the NFL began officially tracking the stat in 1982.Last Week: 10
10. CEDRIC BENSON
RB | Cincinnati Bengals
| ATT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 241 | 969 | 4.0 | 28 | 6 | 12 | 81 | 6.8 | 19 | 0 |
Rushed for 113 yards in his first game back from injury. Has played a key role in a grind-it-out offense that has helped the Bengals improbably sweep the AFC North while posting a 9-3 record. Benson isn't going to win MVP honors, but he belongs on the fringes of the conversation if he continues to produce and the Bengals keep winning.Last Week: NR
Mike Sando | email
NFL- NFC West Blogger
- Joined ESPN in 2007
- Lives in the Seattle-Tacoma area with his wife and two sons
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Mike Sando
Sando joined ESPN.com in 2007 after nine seasons covering the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune. He lives in the Seattle-Tacoma area with his wife and two sons.
You must be signed in to post a comment