ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Brett Favre, Frank Gore and Kurt Warner are making their 2009 regular-season debuts on the weekly MVP Watch.

Their teams are a combined 9-1 this season, and all five played key roles in Week 2 victories.

Drew Brees kept his spot atop the list after helping the Saints exceed 40 points for the second time in as many games. His nine touchdown passes, 75 percent completion rate and 2-0 record made him an easy choice for the top spot.

The Titans' Chris Johnson drew consideration. Only a 0-2 record kept him off the list this time.

Tom Brady, Tony Romo, Ben Roethlisberger, Randy Moss and Matt Hasselbeck fell from the top 10 for this week, but it's early. Some of them will surely reappear.

1. DREW BREES, New Orleans Saints 2009 PASSING CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA LNG TD INT SACK RAT 51 68 669 75.0 9.84 58 9 2 2 132.9 Another week, another MVP-caliber performance. Mild temps in Buffalo should help this week, though rain is expected.

2. ADRIAN PETERSON, Minnesota Vikings 2009 RUSHING 2009 RECEIVING ATT YDS AVG LNG TD REC YDS AVG LNG TD 40 272 6.8 64 4 5 42 8.4 18 0 The 49ers' defense presents a potentially tough test for Peterson. He had 14 carries for 3 yards in only previous game against the 49ers (2007).

3. PEYTON MANNING, Indianapolis Colts 2009 PASSING CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA LNG TD INT SACK RAT 42 61 604 68.9 9.90 80 3 1 2 110.3 Colts didn't have the ball much Monday night, but touchdown passes of 80 and 48 yards kept Manning prominent in the conversation.

4. MATT RYAN, Atlanta Falcons 2009 PASSING CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA LNG TD INT SACK RAT 43 63 449 68.3 7.13 27 5 1 2 108.5 Already has five TD passes after throwing only 16 last season. Adding Tony Gonzalez was huge for Ryan. No sophomore slump here.

5. ELI MANNING, New York Giants 2009 PASSING CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA LNG TD INT SACK RAT 45 67 586 67.2 8.75 49 3 1 1 103.2 Manning has upped his completion percentage dramatically and there's no questioning his big-game credentials.

6. JOE FLACCO, Baltimore Ravens 2009 PASSING CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA LNG TD INT SACK RAT 43 69 497 62.3 7.20 31 5 2 2 96.1 Steady, consistent and 2-0. The Ravens have scored 69 points in two games and Flacco isn't taking sacks, a good sign for a young QB.

7. PHILIP RIVERS, San Diego Chargers 2009 PASSING CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA LNG TD INT SACK RAT 49 81 688 60.5 8.49 81 3 3 5 84.8 The Chargers have needed Rivers to play the gunslinger's role and he has responded. Cutting down on interceptions would help.

8. BRETT FAVRE, Minnesota Vikings 2009 PASSING CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA LNG TD INT SACK RAT 37 48 265 77.1 5.52 21 3 0 7 110.2 He's been more efficient than I expected to this point, and his completion percentage is off the charts. Can't argue with the results so far.

9. FRANK GORE, San Francisco 49ers 2009 RUSHING 2009 RECEIVING ATT YDS AVG LNG TD REC YDS AVG LNG TD 38 237 6.2 80 3 8 57 7.1 11 1 The 49ers are seeking more consistency from their ground game, but they'll take 80- and 79-yard TD runs anytime.

10. KURT WARNER, Arizona Cardinals 2009 PASSING CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA LNG TD INT SACK RAT 50 70 531 71.4 7.59 40 3 2 3 95.6 Setting the NFL single-game record for completion percentage showed Warner isn't suddenly over the hill.