Go ahead and pencil in Drew Brees, Peyton Manning or both for MVP honors this season.
Their stat lines and combined 26-0 starting record separate them from all challengers.
That leaves Philip Rivers on the outside even though he's playing like an MVP for San Diego. Rivers hasn't thrown as many touchdown passes as some of the other candidates, but he has also avoided costly mistakes despite playing in an aggressive passing offense.
Rivers has yet to throw more interceptions than touchdown passes in a game this season.
None of the other top passers can make that claim.
Brees had a three-pick, one-touchdown game against the Dolphins. Manning had a two-pick, one-touchdown game against the Ravens. Brett Favre had a one-pick, no-touchdown game against the Steelers. Aaron Rodgers had a three-pick, two-touchdown game against the Bucs.
And so on.
Rivers' consistency and the Chargers' winning streak move him into the periphery of the MVP discussion -- quite an accomplishment given the stellar nature of the competition.
1. DREW BREES
Leading the NFL in touchdown passes, yards per attempt, completion percentage and passer rating for a 13-0 team. On pace to join Peyton Manning (2004), Dan Marino (1984) and Lynn Dickey (1983) as the only players in NFL history to average at least 8.87 yards on at least 432 pass attempts, according to Pro Football Reference. 2. PEYTON MANNING
About to surpass 4,000 yards for the 10th time in his career. Leads the NFL in attempts, completions and yards for a 13-0 team. Has 7-0 record this season in games with one-score differentials (final margin no greater than eight points). Continues to produce despite changing cast of receivers. 3. BRETT FAVRE
Two less-than-stellar games raise questions about Favre's stamina through a 16-game season, but the overall numbers and record keep him prominent in MVP discussions. Needs to play well over the next two games -- both on the road -- to enhance his dark horse candidacy. 
4. PHILIP RIVERS
Eight consecutive victories have vaulted Rivers into the MVP discussion. Ranks second to Brees in yards per attempt. Ranks third to Brees and Favre in passer rating. On pace to move past Favre into the top three if recent form holds. 5. AARON RODGERS
Week 14 marked the first time all season Rodgers failed to throw a TD pass. He also avoided mistakes, doing enough to beat a division opponent on the road for his team's fifth victory in a row. Has tossed three TD passes in four of his past eight games. 6. CHRIS JOHNSON
Leads the NFL in rushing by 347 yards after his eighth consecutive game with at least 113 yards. Also has 26 receptions and 10 total TDs during that eight-game streak. Has supplanted Adrian Peterson as the most feared back in the NFL. 
7. KURT WARNER
Rough outing on Monday night ended a record-tying streak of four consecutive games with a passer rating of at least 120. The schedule helps out Warner considerably. He faces the Lions and Rams over the next two weeks before closing the season at home against Green Bay. 8. CHARLES WOODSON
Picked off another pass in Week 14, his eighth of the season and fourth in the Packers' past five games. Green Bay ranks second in total yards allowed and third in passing yards allowed. Now has 27 INTs over his last four seasons. 9. ELVIS DUMERVIL
Leads the NFL with 15.0 sacks and has 3.0 in his last three games. Heads into Week 15 against an Oakland team that gave up 8.0 sacks against the Redskins in Week 14. Had 2.0 sacks against Raiders in Week 3. 10. DONOVAN McNABB
Has posted a passer rating in the triple digits three times during the Eagles' current four-game winning streak. Missing two games early in the season diminished his total stats, but McNabb has played well in leading the Eagles to the top of the NFC East. One of seven quarterbacks averaging at least 8.0 yards per attempt.
Their stat lines and combined 26-0 starting record separate them from all challengers.
Rank 'Em: NFL MVP Candidates
How do you size up the NFL MVP race? Can anyone stop Chris Johnson? Another failed attempt by the Rams on Sunday gave the star RB 117 yards rushing and three TDs. But despite Johnson's monster season, is Drew Brees having a more electrifying one?
Rivers has yet to throw more interceptions than touchdown passes in a game this season.
None of the other top passers can make that claim.
Brees had a three-pick, one-touchdown game against the Dolphins. Manning had a two-pick, one-touchdown game against the Ravens. Brett Favre had a one-pick, no-touchdown game against the Steelers. Aaron Rodgers had a three-pick, two-touchdown game against the Bucs.
And so on.
Rivers' consistency and the Chargers' winning streak move him into the periphery of the MVP discussion -- quite an accomplishment given the stellar nature of the competition.
1. DREW BREES
QB | New Orleans Saints
| CMP | ATT | YDS | CMP% | YPA | LNG | TD | INT | SACK | RAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 302 | 432 | 3,832 | 69.9 | 8.87 | 75 | 32 | 10 | 15 | 112.3 |
Leading the NFL in touchdown passes, yards per attempt, completion percentage and passer rating for a 13-0 team. On pace to join Peyton Manning (2004), Dan Marino (1984) and Lynn Dickey (1983) as the only players in NFL history to average at least 8.87 yards on at least 432 pass attempts, according to Pro Football Reference. Last Week: 1
2. PEYTON MANNING
QB | Indianapolis Colts
| CMP | ATT | YDS | CMP% | YPA | LNG | TD | INT | SACK | RAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 342 | 502 | 3,905 | 68.1 | 7.78 | 80 | 29 | 14 | 10 | 98.9 |
About to surpass 4,000 yards for the 10th time in his career. Leads the NFL in attempts, completions and yards for a 13-0 team. Has 7-0 record this season in games with one-score differentials (final margin no greater than eight points). Continues to produce despite changing cast of receivers. Last Week: 2
3. BRETT FAVRE
QB | Minnesota Vikings
| CMP | ATT | YDS | CMP% | YPA | LNG | TD | INT | SACK | RAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 295 | 433 | 3,341 | 68.1 | 7.72 | 63 | 27 | 6 | 27 | 106.0 |
Two less-than-stellar games raise questions about Favre's stamina through a 16-game season, but the overall numbers and record keep him prominent in MVP discussions. Needs to play well over the next two games -- both on the road -- to enhance his dark horse candidacy. Last Week: 3
4. PHILIP RIVERS
QB | San Diego Chargers
| CMP | ATT | YDS | CMP% | YPA | LNG | TD | INT | SACK | RAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 263 | 406 | 3,583 | 64.8 | 8.83 | 81 | 22 | 7 | 22 | 103.7 |
Eight consecutive victories have vaulted Rivers into the MVP discussion. Ranks second to Brees in yards per attempt. Ranks third to Brees and Favre in passer rating. On pace to move past Favre into the top three if recent form holds.Last Week: 5
5. AARON RODGERS
QB | Green Bay Packers
| CMP | ATT | YDS | CMP% | YPA | LNG | TD | INT | SACK | RAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 291 | 444 | 3,579 | 65.5 | 8.06 | 74 | 25 | 7 | 47 | 102.5 |
Week 14 marked the first time all season Rodgers failed to throw a TD pass. He also avoided mistakes, doing enough to beat a division opponent on the road for his team's fifth victory in a row. Has tossed three TD passes in four of his past eight games.Last Week: 6
6. CHRIS JOHNSON
RB | Tennessee Titans
| ATT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 272 | 1,626 | 6.0 | 91 | 11 | 42 | 391 | 9.3 | 69 | 2 |
Leads the NFL in rushing by 347 yards after his eighth consecutive game with at least 113 yards. Also has 26 receptions and 10 total TDs during that eight-game streak. Has supplanted Adrian Peterson as the most feared back in the NFL.Last Week: 7
7. KURT WARNER
QB | Arizona Cardinals
| CMP | ATT | YDS | CMP% | YPA | LNG | TD | INT | SACK | RAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 289 | 433 | 3,181 | 66.7 | 7.35 | 44 | 23 | 13 | 20 | 93.5 |
Rough outing on Monday night ended a record-tying streak of four consecutive games with a passer rating of at least 120. The schedule helps out Warner considerably. He faces the Lions and Rams over the next two weeks before closing the season at home against Green Bay.Last Week: 4
8. CHARLES WOODSON
CB | Green Bay Packers
| TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | INT | YDS | LNG | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | 57 | 4 | 2.0 | 8 | 134 | 38 | 2 |
Picked off another pass in Week 14, his eighth of the season and fourth in the Packers' past five games. Green Bay ranks second in total yards allowed and third in passing yards allowed. Now has 27 INTs over his last four seasons. Last Week: 8
9. ELVIS DUMERVIL
DE | Denver Broncos
| TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | 38 | 6 | 15.0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Leads the NFL with 15.0 sacks and has 3.0 in his last three games. Heads into Week 15 against an Oakland team that gave up 8.0 sacks against the Redskins in Week 14. Had 2.0 sacks against Raiders in Week 3.Last Week: 9
10. DONOVAN McNABB
QB | Philadelphia Eagles
| CMP | ATT | YDS | CMP% | YPA | LNG | TD | INT | SACK | RAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 206 | 336 | 2,702 | 61.3 | 8.04 | 60 | 18 | 7 | 27 | 95.9 |
Has posted a passer rating in the triple digits three times during the Eagles' current four-game winning streak. Missing two games early in the season diminished his total stats, but McNabb has played well in leading the Eagles to the top of the NFC East. One of seven quarterbacks averaging at least 8.0 yards per attempt.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.
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