ESPN.com - Mike Sando's MVP Watch: Brees soars

ESPN.com: NFC West

Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Mike Sando's MVP Watch: Brees soars

By Mike Sando
ESPN.com

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Trips to Philadelphia and Buffalo can alter a quarterback's MVP trajectory depending on the weather.

At least Drew Brees gets to play there in September.

The Saints' touchdown machine enters the upcoming two-week stretch against the Eagles and Bills with six TD passes in his MVP bank account. Brees has five touchdowns and five interceptions in three career games against the Eagles.

After Brees beat up on the Lions in Week 1, Adrian Peterson takes his turn in Week 2. Peterson, second on the MVP Watch list this week, has topped 100 yards rushing in his last three games against the Lions, but he hasn't truly broken out against them. Perhaps that will change.

1. DREW BREES, New Orleans Saints

2009 PASSING
CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	YPA	LNG	TD	INT	SACK	RAT
26	34	358	76.5	10.53	58	6	1	0	137.0

Playing the Lions in Week 1 created a perfect storm for Brees. There's no way he'll maintain this pace, but if he did, he would finish with 5,728 yards and 96 TD passes without taking a sack.

2. ADRIAN PETERSON, Minnesota Vikings

2009 RUSHING					2009 RECEIVING
ATT	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	REC	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD
25	180	7.2	64	3	1	18	18.0	18	0

Brett who? The Vikings need Peterson to carry this offense and he's obviously suited for the job. Nine fumbles last season, but none in the opener. The best in the game at what he does.

3. TOM BRADY, New England Patriots

2009 PASSING
CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	YPA	LNG	TD	INT	SACK	RAT
39	53	378	73.6	7.13	31	2	1	1	97.8

The Patriots showed flaws against the Bills, but Brady wasn't one of them. And if the team has to play catch-up this season, Brady's value only increases. How about that completion percentage?

4. PEYTON MANNING, Indianapolis Colts

2009 PASSING
CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	YPA	LNG	TD	INT	SACK	RAT
28	38	301	73.7	7.92	39	1	1	1	94.3

The three-time MVP said he was "sick" about the knee injury to WR Anthony Gonzalez. He should be. The Colts' depth at WR isn't great.

5. TONY ROMO, Dallas Cowboys

2009 PASSING
CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	YPA	LNG	TD	INT	SACK	RAT
16	27	353	59.3	13.07	80	3	0	1	140.6

Perhaps T.O.'s departure has freed Romo to spread the ball around without fear of reprisal. Playing the Bucs' defense can also do wonders for a quarterback.

6. ELI MANNING, New York Giants

2009 PASSING
CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	YPA	LNG	TD	INT	SACK	RAT
20	29	256	69.0	8.83	30	1	1	1	93.5

Put up a 93.5 rating against the Redskins after posting a composite 68.1 rating in nine previous games against them. A rising career completion percentage is a good sign.

7. BEN ROETHLISBERGER, Pittsburgh Steelers

2009 PASSING
CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	YPA	LNG	TD	INT	SACK	RAT
33	43	363	76.7	8.44	34	1	2	4	89.6

Like Eli, Big Ben will need to pump up those touchdown numbers. But with 363 yards and a victory over the Titans, Roethlisberger is off to a good start overall.

8. PHILIP RIVERS, San Diego Chargers

2009 PASSING
CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	YPA	LNG	TD	INT	SACK	RAT
24	36	252	66.7	7.00	25	1	1	3	84.5

It remains unclear to what extent Rivers will carry the Chargers' offense this season, but another 4,000-yard season seems likely.

9. RANDY MOSS, New England Patriots

2009 RECEIVING					2009 RUSHING
REC	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	ATT	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD
12	141	11.8	31	0	0	0	0	0	0

A great season from Moss also enhances Brady's candidacy, and the quarterbacks get the credit. Same goes for Reggie Wayne with the Colts.

10. MATT HASSELBECK, Seattle Seahawks

2009 PASSING
CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	YPA	LNG	TD	INT	SACK	RAT
25	36	279	69.4	7.75	38	3	2	0	96.9

Hasselbeck figures to improve as he gets comfortable with Seattle's new offense. Shaun Alexander isn't there to siphon off touchdowns in the red zone. Tough 49ers defense awaits in Week 2.