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1. AARON RODGERS

Like Brees, Rodgers spent Week 16 shining on a national stage. His five TD passes without an INT came after a couple down games statistically (at least by Rodgers' standards). Rodgers' 45 TD passes are the fourth most in NFL history and five short of the record Tom Brady set in 2007. What will the Packers do in Week 17? A consideration, from ESPN Stats & Information: "The Packers have won their final regular-season game in each of the last eight seasons, the longest active win streak of any team in regular-season finales. Green Bay is 16-1 in its final regular-season game since 1994."

Week 16 vs. CHI

2. DREW BREES

Marino averaged 9.0 yards per attempt during his historic season. Brees checks in at 8.2 YPA this season. His completion percentage (70.7) would set an NFL single-season record. From ESPN Stats & Information: "Brees has thrown a passing TD in 42 straight games, five shy of tying Johnny Unitas' NFL record set from 1956-60. Brees also has a streak of 35 straight games with at least 20 completions, an NFL record, and is moving up the leaderboard in a variety of other categories." Those would include most 300-yard passing games in a season (12), most consecutive 300-yard games (six) and most consecutive games with at least 35 pass attempts (19).

Week 16 vs. ATL

3. TOM BRADY

One player in NFL history has needed only 15 games to amass at least 4,800 yards and 35 TDs, all while averaging at least 8.5 yards per attempt. Brady is that player. Opening the window to 16 games draws Marino (1984) and Kurt Warner (2001) into this select circle. The point, basically, is that Brady is enjoying what would be an MVP-caliber season in just about any other year. Perhaps we take for granted his production.

Week 16 vs. MIA

4. CALVIN JOHNSON

The Lions woke up just in time to make a playoff push, and Johnson played a leading role in that after a few nondescript performances. Johnson has 316 yards and three TDs over the Lions' last two games. His 6-yard scoring reception to beat Oakland was the NFL's most pivotal play in Week 15, based on how much it altered win probability (plus-39.4 percent, according to Alok Pattani of ESPN's analytics team). Johnson has career highs for receptions, yardage and TDs with one game remaining.

Week 16 vs. SD

5. MATTHEW STAFFORD

No Pro Bowl for Stafford? No problem here. Rodgers and Brees wipe out two of the three potential spots. The Lions had yet to fully emerge from their midseason dive when coaches and players were casting their votes. Stafford does rank well behind Rodgers, Brees and Tony Romo in Total QBR this season, but leading the Lions to their first playoff appearance since 1999 counts for plenty. Stafford's 36 TD passes nearly double his career total in 13 games predating this season.

Week 16 vs. SD

6. WES WELKER

A 12-catch, 138-yard performance against the Dolphins, Welker's former team, pushed Welker's already towering stats even higher. Welker needs seven receptions to tie his single-season career high of 123. He and Cris Carter are the only players in league history with at least 116 receptions in two seasons. Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, Marvin Harrison, Jerry Rice, Herman Moore and Jimmy Smith are the only other players with at least 116 catches in one season.

Week 16 vs. MIA

7. DARREN SPROLES

The Saints' all-purpose running back makes his 2011 debut on the MVP Watch list. Sproles leads the Saints in rushing (563 yards). He ranks second in receptions (81). He averages 9.6 yards per punt return and has a 72-yard scoring return. He averages a healthy 27.2 yards per kickoff return and has a 92-yarder. Sproles has nine total TDs and has given the Saints a more-than-viable replacement for Reggie Bush.

Week 16 vs. ATL

8. ARIAN FOSTER

The Texans' late-season slide hurt Foster's standing among second-tier candidates. He does have 267 yards rushing and two TDs during Houston's last two games, however. Foster leads the Texans in rushing and stands only one reception and 60 receiving yards behind team leader Owen Daniels in those categories. Injuries have wiped out the Texans at key positions, from quarterback to outside linebacker. Even their defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips, has required medical attention. Foster has persevered and helped carry them to their first playoff appearance.

Week 16 at IND

9. TONY ROMO

Romo wasn't going to appear on the list this week after hardly playing in Week 16. There simply weren't superior candidates among players from winning teams. We might also point to how the Cowboys fared without Romo as evidence supporting his value to them and worthiness for consideration here. He has 18 TDs and two INTs from Week 9 to the present.

Week 16 vs. PHI

10. MAURICE JONES-DREW

Finding a 10th player for the list was tougher than finding No. 9. Appearing on this list with a losing record stands as a rarity, but as Paul Kuharsky of the AFC South blog pointed out, Jones-Drew is about to lead the league in rushing for a team with absolutely zero threat of a passing game. Seattle's Marshawn Lynch was another consideration in this spot after ending the 49ers' streaks of not allowing a 100-yard rusher (36 games) or a rushing TD (15 games).

Week 16 at TEN

1. AARON RODGERS

It'll take more than one defeat to knock Rodgers from his perch atop the list, but if the Packers stumble again and Brees/Brady keep on the pressure, there's a debate, at least. Rodgers continues to lead the NFL in yards per attempt (9.2). It's tough to argue with his 6.7 to 1 ratio of TDs to INTs. Rodgers has two more TD passes than Brett Favre ever threw in a season, and two games remain.

Week 15 at KC

2. DREW BREES

The NFL is apparently a video game for Brees. He has thrown 16 TD passes without an INT since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Ronde Barber picked him off during the third quarter of a Nov. 6 game. Brees is dangerous all the time, but especially on play-action fakes. From ESPN Stats & Information: "Brees has attempted the most passes with a play-action fake this season and has the highest completion percentage on such attempts (70.4 percent). In Week 10 against the Falcons, Brees completed 17 of 19 passes for 212 yards and two TDs when using play action."

Week 15 at MIN

3. TOM BRADY

With Rodgers and Brees grabbing attention, Brady has somewhat quietly joined Favre as the only players in NFL history with 35-plus TD passes in three separate seasons. Dan Marino, Kurt Warner and Steve Young each had two such seasons, according to the NFL. The standard Brady set with 50 TD passes in 2007 might be creating abnormally high expectations for Brady. No matter what he does, he probably did it better that year.

Week 15 at DEN

4. CALVIN JOHNSON

Johnson's 214-yard total against Oakland in Week 15 gave him nearly as many yards in one game as he had managed in the Lions' previous four (236). This was his first game in triple digits for yardage since the Lions' Week 9 bye ended a streak of four such games and six with at least 96 yards. The Lions needed clutch play from Johnson against the Raiders and got it. The overall numbers -- 81 catches for 1,335 yards and 14 TDs -- are impressive.

Week 15 at OAK

5. MATT RYAN

This feels a little high for Ryan, but another strong game further improved the Falcons' playoff positioning. Ryan has 12 TDs against two INTs over his past five games. The Falcons have gone 4-1 during that time. How Ryan plays against Brees and the Saints will determine whether he remains this high on the list, and possibly whether he remains on the list at all.

Week 15 vs. JAC

6. TONY ROMO

Romo returns to the list after the Cowboys snapped a two-game losing streak. He has gone 6-3 as a starter with 21 TDs and two INTs since Dallas opened the season with a 2-3 record. Finishing games against Philadelphia (home) and the New York Giants (road) set up a dramatic finish for Romo and the Cowboys. That might not be a good thing for either. The Cowboys have won their final two regular-season games just once in the past decade (2009).

Week 15 at TB

7. ARIAN FOSTER

The Texans' ability to persevere through significant injuries has contributed to Foster's place on the list, even though other backs, notably LeSean McCoy, have put up better numbers for losing teams. I nearly included McCoy anyway. The Texans did have their seven-game winning streak snapped this past week. Foster still managed 109 yards on 16 carries.

Week 15 vs. CAR

8. MATTHEW STAFFORD

Stafford has 33 TD passes in 14 games after throwing 19 in 13 previous games as a professional. He has six TDs without a pick during a two-game winning streak that has stabilized the Lions' season following a rough stretch. Finishing games against San Diego (home) and Green Bay (road) will likely reveal whether Stafford belongs in the MVP conversation.

Week 15 AT OAK

9. PHILIP RIVERS

The body of work has not been there consistently enough for Rivers or the Chargers. Rivers is coming on strong late, however. He has become the third quarterback in NFL history to reach 4,000 yards in four consecutive seasons. The Chargers have outscored opponents 109-38 during their three-game winning streak. Rivers has seven TDs without a pick during that stretch.

Week 15 vs. BAL

10. JUSTIN SMITH

Those loosely familiar with the 49ers might wonder whether I've singled out the wrong Smith here. The 49ers have four of them, after all, and their rookie pass-rusher, Aldon Smith, is coming off a 2.5-sack game on Monday night. Justin Smith remains the best player on arguably the NFL's best defense, however. He has at least six sacks in four consecutive seasons while doing all of the dirty work associated with life in the NFL as a 3-4 defensive end.

Week 15 vs. PIT

1. AARON RODGERS

Rodgers has thrown an interception in back-to-back weeks for the first time since Oct. 2. Time for mass panic in Green Bay, right? Well, no. The Packers scored 84 points in those two games, with an occasional assist from their defense. Rodgers did finish a game with an NFL passer rating in double digits, something that had not happened all season. In fact, his ratings over the past two games were his lowest of the season.

Week 14 vs. OAK

2. DREW BREES

Brees draws plenty of attention for the passing yards he's racking up at a record pace. Let's consider some of the little things, too. Brees already has more rushing yardage (68) than he's had in any full season since 2004. He has a rushing touchdown for the first time since 2009. He has not fumbled once in 566 drop backs, despite taking nearly as many sacks (23) in 13 games as he took in 16 last season (25). Brees had 66 career fumbles in 10 previous seasons. His total interceptions (22) and fumbles (nine) last season are nearly triple his total through 13 games this season.

Week 14 at TEN

3. TOM BRADY

The interception Brady threw in the red zone against Washington was nearly as stunning as the pass Wes Welker dropped near the goal line. Brady still finished the game with a victory to go along with his second game in three weeks featuring at least 350 yards passing. Brady has taken only three sacks for minus-13 yards over his past three games, but his offensive line could not top the Redskins-Patriots officiating crew for the protection afforded the 2010 MVP. Brady is tough enough to defend without referees throwing flags for hits like the one London Fletcher delivered.

Week 14 at WAS

4. ELI MANNING

Any doubts about Manning's value to the Giants had to have disappeared after the quarterback's latest fourth-quarter comeback victory. Manning finished the game against Dallas with 400 yards passing and no sacks in 47 drop backs against a defense featuring DeMarcus Ware. That is sensational production. Two weeks earlier, Manning took only one sack and passed for 406 yards on 48 drop backs at New Orleans. His ability to strike deep downfield in the face of pressure stands out. Manning is tied with Brady and one behind Rodgers with 15 TD passes against five or more pass-rushers, albeit on about 45-50 additional attempts.

Week 14 at DAL

5. BEN ROETHLISBERGER

Roethlisberger continued producing and made game-winning plays against Cleveland even after suffering an ankle injury that could sideline him in the future. Manning surged past Roethlisberger on the MVP Watch list and appears close to joining the well-established top tier featuring Rodgers, Brees and Brady. There can be no doubting Roethlisberger's value to the Steelers, however. That will be apparent if Roethlisberger cannot play against San Francisco on Monday night. If Roethlisberger does play, he should have opportunities for big pass plays against a 49ers defense that is stronger against the run.

Week 14 vs. CLE

6. TERRELL SUGGS

Those were Colts in that barrel, not fish, but it was tough to tell the difference. Suggs collected three sacks in a game for the second time in three weeks. He also forced three fumbles. Suggs has seven of his 13 sacks over the past three weeks. He faces an intriguing matchup in Week 15 against former Ravens teammate Jared Gaither, now the Chargers' left tackle. Familiarity should help, but Gaither has played well lately. Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has taken only two sacks in 63 drop backs over the past two games. Rivers has six TDs with no INTs during those games, both San Diego victories.

Week 14 vs. IND

7. ARIAN FOSTER

The Texans keep winning despite losing key players. Losing defensive coordinator Wade Phillips to medical concerns stands as the latest challenge. Foster wasn't very productive during the Texans' victory at Cincinnati. He faces Carolina and Indianapolis over the next two weeks, however. The Panthers have not given much ground against the run over the past couple weeks, but that should change against Foster. As for the future matchup against Indy? Foster did not play against the Colts in Week 1, but he rushed for 335 yards and four TDs in two games against them last season.

Week 14 at CIN

8. ROB GRONKOWSKI

Some resisted when the thought of a tight end joining the MVP Watch list in the No. 10 spot last week. Six receptions for 160 yards and two TDs against the Redskins only strengthened his credentials. And with Welker dropping a pass for the first time all season, Gronkowski moved past his teammate. Gronkowski has 11 total TDs over his last six games. He is averaging 15.3 yards per reception for the season. His size (6-foot-6, 265) makes him a threat to trample defenders in the open field.

Week 14 at WAS

9. WES WELKER

Down week for Welker, right? Not exactly. His production against the Redskins would translate to 112 receptions for 1,376 yards and 16 TDs over the course of a full season. No player in NFL history has hit those three figures in the same season, according to Pro Football Reference. Jerry Rice came close in 1995 when he finished with 122 catches for 1,848 yards and 15 TDs. As for Welker, yes, he finally dropped a pass. He's been much more sure-handed overall, however. His drops are down from 11 last season to just that one in 2011.

Week 14 at WAS

10. MATT RYAN

Ten spots might be too many for the MVP Watch list given the number of truly viable candidates this season. Ryan has not been particularly consistent. He played poorly against Houston, then bounced back with a four-TD game against the Panthers' shoddy defense. Ryan remains on pace for career highs in passing yards and TDs. His team has an 8-5 record and has a good shot at double-digit victories. Ryan has started every game despite suffering an ugly looking ankle injury against Detroit. If it sounds like I'm not entirely sold on Ryan making the list, it's because I'm not entirely sold on Ryan making the list.

Week 14 at CAR

1. AARON RODGERS

The most impressive statistical marker for Rodgers, in my view, continues to be yards per attempt. His 9.6-yard average in this category stands 1.2 yards above his nearest challenger, Matt Schaub. And with a 72.3 completion percentage for an offense that doesn't lean heavily on the ground game, coupled with a 31-4 ratio of touchdowns to interceptions, Rodgers remains the runaway favorite for MVP honors. His lowest single-game NFL passer rating of the season was 111.4 against Chicago. When Peyton Manning won MVP honors following the 2003 season, he posted ratings below 111.4 in 12 of 16 games.

Week 11 vs. MIN

2. DREW BREES

Three of the top five players in MVP Watch this week are coming off bye weeks. Brees is one of them. The Saints play four of their final six games at home. One of their two remaining road games is at Minnesota. That means Brees will play five of his final six regular-season games indoors. He won't have to worry about wintry weather conditions, putting him in position to finish the season strong. And with Atlanta only one game back in the NFC South, the Saints likely won't be coasting to the finish line, either.

Week 10 at ATL

3. BEN ROETHLISBERGER

Not all broken thumbs are the same. The one Roethlisberger suffered wasn't as serious as the one Jay Cutler suffered. That means Roethlisberger should remain in the lineup. The Steelers play only two teams with winning records over the course of their final six games. One of those games, against Cincinnati in Week 13, is at home. The other, at San Francisco on Monday night in Week 15, provides a national stage for Roethlisberger to measure himself against one of the NFL's top defenses. One concern: Roethlisbeger has taken five sacks in two of the Steelers' last three games.

Week 10 at CIN

4. TOM BRADY

Nothing was going right for Brady and the Patriots' passing game during the first half of their Monday night game against Kansas City. Brady lost a fumble for the second time in three games. He has fumbled once in four consecutive games after suffering none in the first six games. Brady nonetheless has nine touchdowns with only two interceptions over that four-game stretch. None of the Patriots' remaining opponents has a winning record, so New England should post double-digit victories for a ninth-consecutive season.

Week 11 vs. KC

5. ARIAN FOSTER

Foster gets a chance to showcase his value while the Texans head into their final six games without the injured Schaub. The team has proven to be strong on defense. That could allow the Texans to lean more heavily on the ground game as they try to grind out victories, protecting Matt Leinart. At his current per-game pace, Foster would finish the season with 1,295 yards rushing and 779 yards receiving, especially strong production given that Foster missed two of the Texans' first three games to injury.

Week 10 at TB

6. TONY ROMO

Romo was coming off a three-pick game against Detroit when the Cowboys went into their Week 5 bye. He has 12 touchdowns and only two interceptions in six subsequent games, including an 8-0 ratio during the Cowboys' current three-game winning streak. Romo hasn't fumbled since Week 3 and recently moved past Brady into third place behind Rodgers and Brees in Total QBR for the season. That is impressive company.

Week 11 at WAS

7. MATTHEW STAFFORD

Five touchdown passes against Carolina revived Stafford's candidacy following a brutal performance in the wind at Chicago. A strong performance in a victory against Green Bay on Thanksgiving would send Stafford shooting up the list. There would be no shame in losing to the Packers, of course, but the stakes would rise for Stafford were Detroit to fall short. The Lions face a trip to New Orleans the following week.

Week 11 vs. CAR

8. MATT FORTE

Forte and Foster are facing similar situations over the final six games. Both running backs have demonstrated strong value to their teams. Both now must continue to do so after losing their starting quarterbacks. Forte has averaged 3.6 and 2.9 yards per carry in his last two games after averaging between 5.1 and 8.2 over his previous five. The Bears have kept winning, anyway. Vulnerable run defenses await on the schedule. Defenses will be loading up to stop Forte, more than usual.

Week 11 vs. SD

9. PATRICK WILLIS

Willis picked off a pass against Arizona last week. He collected a sack against the Giants a week earlier. The NFL credits Willis with 11 passes defended, a career single-season high after only 10 games. The increased production in that area reflects the additional time Willis has spent in coverage this season. He has played at an elite level in all areas, combining with defensive end Justin Smith to lead one of the NFL's best defenses.

Week 11 vs. ARI

10. ELI MANNING

Manning remains the primary reason the Giants have a winning record despite serious problems on their line and elsewhere on the roster. The team continues to run its offense through Manning, but he'll need a bounce-back week to remain on the list. The Giants, though weary of constant questions about their inability to finish seasons strong, have nonetheless done little to change perceptions. Manning has four picks in his last three games after throwing five in his first seven.

Week 11 vs. PHI

1. AARON RODGERS

The search continues for new ways to quantify Rodgers' brilliant season. This from Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus: "Rodgers on the season is now completing 82.5 percent of aimed passes (less throwaways, spikes etc.). Five percent more than anybody else." Jon Gruden mentioned during his interview with Rodgers before "Monday Night Football" that the quarterback had a hot hand. All Rodgers could do was agree. Even he knows.

Week 10 vs. MIN

2. DREW BREES

The Saints have won two in a row since their defeat at St. Louis. Brees went back over 300 yards passing in Week 10 after two weeks with more modest totals. Brees has exceeded 320 yards passing seven times in 10 games this season. Archie Manning had four such games during his Saints career. Times and circumstances were obviously much different then, but still, it's not all attributable to inflation.

Week 10 at ATL

3. BEN ROETHLISBERGER

Roethlisberger has failed to exceed one TD pass in seven of the Steelers' 10 games this season. He's appearing on the list less for raw stats than for the role he plays in the Steelers' ability to win consistently, including against upstart Cincinnati in a key AFC North game last week. Six of the seven leaders in Total QBR, which measures how quarterbacks affect win probability, appear on the MVP Watch list. Roethlisberger ranks sixth in QBR even though he still takes too many sacks, a consequence of his ability to extend plays.

Week 10 at CIN

4. TOM BRADY

ESPN Stats & Information had this to say in making Brady its choice for Next Level Player of the Week: "Brady picked apart the Jets, but he was much more efficient in the second half, especially on throws of 10 yards or shorter. In those short-pass situations, Brady went 12-of-14 for 106 yards and two TDs. He also averaged a first down every 2.3 pass attempts when the Jets rushed a defensive back, compared with once every 3.5 attempts on the road against the Jets in 2009 and 2010."

Week 10 at NYJ

5. ARIAN FOSTER

The Texans have a bye to figure out how they'll proceed with Matt Leinart instead of the injured Matt Schaub at quarterback. Foster will presumably remain productive. He is coming off his third 100-yard receiving game of the season. He has four 100-yard rushing games. Foster is one of 28 players since 1960 to exceed those totals in the same game, according to Pro Football Reference. Brian Westbrook, Walter Payton and Priest Holmes have two such games, but no one has two such games in the same season. Surprisingly, Marshall Faulk never topped 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game.

Week 10 at TB

6. MATT FORTE

The Bears' big victory over the Lions keeps Forte in the discussion even though he averaged only 3.6 yards per carry, a personal low since Week 3, while finishing with a season-low one reception. The Bears' next three opponents -- San Diego, Oakland and Kansas City -- rank between 24th and 26th in rushing yards allowed per game. Late-season games against Seattle, Green Bay and Minnesota pit Forte against tougher defenses. He needs a big November, probably.

Week 10 vs. DET

7. FRANK GORE

It's tougher to advocate for Gore's value to the 49ers after the team beat the New York Giants pretty much without him. Gore carried six times for zero yards and did not finish the game after suffering a knee injury. The 49ers aren't going to run the offense through Alex Smith every week, but they did so by design against the Giants and made it work. Gore told reporters his knee is fine and he expects to play against Arizona, but with the NFC West race pretty much in hand, the 49ers might be wise to give Gore some rest.

Week 10 vs. NYG

8. ELI MANNING

The 49ers prevented Manning from building on his total of four games in which he has helped turn a fourth-quarter Giants deficit into victory. Manning's two interceptions gave him three in his last two games. He had thrown three in his previous five games combined, all against Seattle. Manning has thrown six of his eight picks against NFC West teams. The Giants have no more games against that division.

Week 10 at SF

9. TONY ROMO

The Cowboys have scored 101 points in their last three victories. Romo has taken no sacks in his past two games after absorbing eight in his previous three. He has not fumbled since Week 3 and has not lost one since the regular-season opener. Romo did not fumble at all in his six games last season. He had fumbled 38 times, losing 16 of them, during his first four seasons as a starter. That's one area where Romo has improved dramatically.

Week 10 vs. BUF

10. CALVIN JOHNSON

The Lions are trending in the wrong direction, but they still have a winning record. Johnson's 81 yards against the Bears last week was a low for him since Week 2, but if a player averaged 81 per game over the course of a season, he'd finish with 1,296 yards -- more than Johnson has amassed in all but one of his previous four seasons. Johnson has three touchdowns in his last five games after scoring eight in his first four.

Week 10 at CHI

1. AARON RODGERS

The victories and stats keep piling up. Rodgers has yet to post an NFL passer rating lower than 110 this season, breaking Steve Young's 1994 single-season record for consecutive games with ratings that high. Rodgers is the first player in NFL history with at least 2,600 yards and 24 touchdowns in the first eight games of a season. Those notes come courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information, which soon will require a Rodgers Wing.

Week 9 at SD

2. FRANK GORE

Another week, another 100-yard rushing performance for one of the more physical pound-for-pound runners of his era. Gore needs 149 yards to pass Hall of Famer Joe Perry for first on the 49ers' all-time rushing list. He ranks among the NFL's top five this season with 22 carries of at least 10 yards, including nine of at least 20 yards. He has converted all four chances on third-and-1 and is the only player in the league with four games of at least 125 yards rushing this season.

Week 9 at WAS

3. BEN ROETHLISBERGER

Passing for 330 yards against Baltimore wasn't quite enough, but it wasn't Roethlisberger's fault the Steelers' defense uncharacteristically allowed the winning touchdown pass in the final seconds. Roethlisberger has reached 300 yards passing in his last three games, a franchise record. He has more passing yards since Week 7 than any player in the league. Roethlisberger hasn't lost a fumble since Week 3 and took only one sack against the Ravens. He has 12 touchdown passes against three INTs over his last five games.

Week 9 vs. BAL

4. DREW BREES

Brees returned to his usual efficiency in Week 9 after a rough outing against St. Louis the previous week. He took no sacks and extended his remarkable season-long streak without fumbling. The upcoming schedule serves up marquee games. Brees visits Atlanta this week, then has a bye before home games against the New York Giants and Detroit Lions. He has already reached 3,000 yards passing in only nine games.

Week 9 vs. TB

5. MATT FORTE

Those two fumbles against Philadelphia nearly knocked down Forte a notch or two, but his overall performance and the Bears' victory mattered more in the end. With 133 yards against the Eagles, Forte has 686 in his last five games. Walter Payton is the only other player in Bears history to reach that many yards over a five-game period, according to Elias Sports Bureau. Payton did it several times, with a high of 888 yards over five games in 1977.

Week 9 at PHI

6. ELI MANNING

The eight-play, 80-yard touchdown drive Manning led in the final 81 seconds to beat New England gave him four fourth-quarter comeback victories in eight games this season. That figure leads the NFL. Manning's fourth-quarter production in outdueling Tom Brady included a 12-yard scramble and throws that helped draw interference penalties totaling 55 yards, including one setting up first-and-goal from the 1.

Week 9 at NE

7. ARIAN FOSTER

Foster has put together three consecutive 100-yard rushing games during the Texans' three-game winning streak. He also has two 100-yard receiving games this season. Matchups with Jacksonville and Cleveland over the last two weeks were hardly showcase games, but Foster cannot control the schedule. He has five total touchdowns over the last three games, a big reason the Texans are 6-3.

Week 9 vs. CLE

8. CALVIN JOHNSON

Johnson faces the Bears coming out of the Lions' bye week. He had a 73-yard touchdown reception against them in Week 5. Johnson and Randy Moss (2007) are the only players since 1970 to have 11 touchdown receptions in their first eight games, according to ESPN Stats & Information. In 1987, Jerry Rice caught 16 touchdown passes over the 49ers' final seven games during that strike-shortened season. Johnson needs a 100-yard game Sunday to become the first NFL player with five in a row since Anquan Boldin in 2005.

Week 8 at DEN

9. TOM BRADY

Brady topped the MVP Watch list entering the season, but his candidacy is flagging after two defeats in the Patriots' last three games. New England has failed to reach 21 points in any of its last three games. That had happened only twice previously with Brady as the Patriots' starting quarterback. Brady's Total QBR has fallen from 84.2 out of 100 over the first five games to 55.4 over the last three games (50 is average). A big victory over the AFC East-rival Jets would jump-start Brady's MVP candidacy.

Week 9 vs. NYG

10. JOE FLACCO

The raw numbers -- nine touchdown passes with six INTs -- simply are not there for Flacco. He's appearing in the No. 10 spot because his late-game performance for the Ravens at Pittsburgh had the feeling of a defining moment for him. Flacco has topped 300 yards passing in three of the Ravens' last four games. He'll need to start stringing together touchdown passes to become a legitimate candidate. Flacco had eight TD passes in November last season, more than in any other month.

Week 9 at PIT

1. AARON RODGERS

The NFL and quite a few fantasy footballers missed Rodgers during the Packers' bye week. Rodgers continues to lead the league in completion percentage (71.5), yards per attempt (9.9) and touchdown passes (20). He has 17 more TD passes than interceptions. Only three other players have more than 14 TD passes total.

Week 7 vs. MIN

2. BEN ROETHLISBERGER

Roethlisberger is charging up the MVP Watch list after beating New England to cap a four-week run featuring 11 TD passes, two INTs and a 4-0 record for the Steelers. Roethlisberger wasn't even listed here a couple weeks ago, but he moved up six spots from No. 8 after his second consecutive game with at least 360 yards passing.

Week 8 vs. NE

3. FRANK GORE

The 49ers' workhorse back has topped 100 yards rushing in four consecutive games for the first time in his career. Gore joins Larry Johnson (2005), O.J. Simpson (1975) and Terrell Davis (1998) as the only NFL players since 1970 to rush for at least 125 yards and one TD in four consecutive games. Of the three others, Davis won MVP honors the same year.

Week 8 vs. CLE

4. TOM BRADY

Brady averaged a season-low 5.7 yards per attempt against the Steelers. Pittsburgh traded some of its zone-blitz tactics for man-to-man coverage, throwing off the Patriots for at least one game. Brady should get back on track at home against the Giants' defense. How well will other teams be able to duplicate the Steelers' tactical success? I have to think the Patriots will adjust accordingly.

Week 8 at PIT

5. MATT FORTE

A bye week gave Forte a chance to worry about more important things, such as disappointing contract negotiations. Seriously, though, Forte has to like his chances Monday night. The Eagles have improved their raw stats against the run, however. They have allowed 63.5 yards rushing per game over their last two after allowing better than 140 yards per game over their first five.

Week 6 at TB

6. FRED JACKSON

Jackson continues to get the job done in more ways than one. He supplemented his 120-yard rushing performance against the Redskins with 79 yards receiving, including 46 on one play. With 27 receptions for 353 yards, Jackson is averaging more yards per reception than the Atlanta Falcons' Roddy White.

Week 8 vs. WAS

7. CALVIN JOHNSON

Speaking of the Falcons, they're on pace to finish the season with fewer receiving touchdowns than Johnson, according to a graphic I saw this week on NFL Network. Johnson's 11 receiving touchdowns are tied for the second-most through eight games since 1960. Frank Clarke had 12 with the Cowboys in 1962, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Week 8 at DEN

8. DREW BREES

Brees dropped all the way from third to eighth following the Saints' shocking upset defeat at St. Louis. Brees extended to 35 his streak of games with at least one TD pass, one behind Favre for the second-longest streak in league history. But two more picks gave Brees 10 for the season. He also took a season-high six sacks. Division games against Tampa Bay and Atlanta await before a Week 11 bye.

Week 8 at STL

9. ARIAN FOSTER

There's some debate over whether any or most NFL backs could produce in the Texans' offense, but there's no debating Foster's production lately. He has two 100-yard rushing games and two 100-yard receiving games over the past month. The Texans have won two in a row to reach 5-3, with a home game against Cleveland next on the schedule.

Week 8 vs. JAC

10. ELI MANNING

This was a tough call in the No. 10 spot and I admittedly don't feel great about the selection. Manning is tied with Alex Smith for the NFL lead in fourth-quarter comebacks this season. The Giants have weathered a brutal stretch of injuries to emerge with a 5-2 record and some momentum. Manning continues to avoid the turnovers that have dragged him down in past seasons. He should have success against New England's pass defense this week.

Week 8 vs. MIA

1. AARON RODGERS

One of the stat breakdowns I receive from ESPN each week breaks down how quarterbacks fare based on how far their passes travel past the line of scrimmage. Some players produce better results throwing short, others fare better on deep balls, and so on. Rodgers has a 10 to 2 ratio of TDs to INTs on short passes, a 4 to 0 ratio on intermediate passes and a 6 to 1 ratio on deeper passes. Any questions?

Week 7 vs. MIN

2. TOM BRADY

Unlike Rodgers, Brady has been relatively unproductive on passes traveling at least 21 yards past the line of scrimmage. He has completed 8 of 25 such throws (13-of-21 for Rodgers) with one TD and one INT. His Total QBR (85.7) on these throws ranks only 22nd. His NFL passer rating on these throws (72.1) ranks only 18th. But with Wes Welker catching everything underneath -- no drops this season after finishing 2010 with 11 -- Brady is doing just fine overall.

Week 6 vs. DAL

3. DREW BREES

Brees finished the Saints' 62-7 dismantling of the Colts with more TD passes (five) than incomplete passes (four). I recall Kurt Warner doing the same against Green Bay in a playoff game a few years back. Brees was facing the junior varsity by comparison, but he cannot control the schedule. Facing the 0-6 Rams this week gives him another opportunity to pad his MVP resume. The Rams rank last against the run and have lost all of their top cornerbacks to injury.

Week 7 vs. IND

4. FRANK GORE

The bye week should have given Gore a chance to fully recover from the ankle injury that bothered him earlier in the season. Gore ran exceptionally well and showed good breakaway speed in rushing for 141 yards against Detroit before the bye, so he was probably near 100 percent even then. Gore faces a Browns defense that ranks fourth in total yards allowed, but 19th in rushing yards allowed and ninth in rushing yards allowed per play.

Week 6 at DET

5. MATT FORTE

The Packers and Lions have commanded most of the attention in the NFC North this season. Forte has been on a tear over his last four games, averaging at least 5.1 yards per carry in every one of them. Forte is averaging 138 yards and 22 carries per game over that stretch. He ranks third in rushing yards behind Adrian Peterson and Maurice Jones-Drew. The Bears have pulled within one game of Detroit for second in the division standings.

Week 7 at TB

6. FRED JACKSON

Jackson, like Gore, remains on the list this week despite not playing in Week 7. He has four 100-yard rushing games this season, six total rushing TDs and an 11.6-yard average on his 24 receptions. Jackson faces two teams with so-so run defenses (Washington, the New York Jets) before facing a Dallas unit that ranks first in rushing yards allowed and fourth in yards allowed per carry.

Week 6 at NYG

7. CALVIN JOHNSON

The Lions' back-to-back defeats have knocked down Johnson a few notches in the MVP Watch, but he continues to put up stats to keep himself in contention. Johnson is riding a streak of three consecutive 100-yard receiving games. He has averaged 112.4 yards over his last five games. Johnson's 10 receiving TDs put him on pace for 23 this season. His 16.6-yard average per reception would approach the career high of 17.1 he set back in 2008.

Week 7 vs. ATL

8. BEN ROETHLISBERGER

Roethlisberger tore apart the Cardinals' defense with 361 yards and three TDs, including a 95-yarder to Mike Wallace to set a franchise record for longest reception. He steps up in class and into the MVP spotlight when the Steelers face Brady's Patriots in one of the marquee games for Week 8. Roethlisberger has nine TD passes with only one INT and six sacks over the Steelers' last three games. He had three TDs, five INTs and 14 sacks in the previous four games. The upcoming schedule -- New England and Baltimore at home, followed by a trip to Cincinnati -- provide a stiff test.

Week 7 at ARI

9. ARIAN FOSTER

Pure rushing totals aren't enough for Foster to factor in the MVP discussion, even though he has 115- and 155-yard games over the past month. Foster caught my attention with a pair of 100-yard receiving games. He had five catches for 116 yards against Oakland in Week 5, then five receptions for 119 yards and a TD in the Texans' 41-7 victory at Tennessee in Week 7. It's just tough to know whether Foster and the Texans can sustain anything this season.

Week 7 at TEN

10. ADRIAN PETERSON

Every other player on the MVP Watch list plays for a team ranking no worse than 12th in ESPN's latest NFL Power Rankings. Peterson's Vikings rank 28th, so there's very little chance Peterson will factor into the discussion seriously. He does lead the NFL in rushing with 712 yards, an impressive feat for a player from a losing team. Teammate Jared Allen also drew consideration here with 11.5 sacks in seven games, but dedicating 20 percent of the MVP Watch list to the 1-6 Vikings would have been a stretch.

Week 7 vs. GB

1. AARON RODGERS

The Packers are averaging 9.8 yards every time Rodgers attempts a pass. Rodgers is on pace to finish with 5,416 yards with 45 TDs and eight INTs. For reference, consider that Brady finished with 50 TDs and eight INTs during his 2007 MVP season. Rodgers probably could have done more to pad his stats against the Rams in the second half, but the Packers cruised to victory and did not score after halftime.

Week 6 vs. STL

2. TOM BRADY

Brady's 8-yard scoring pass to Aaron Hernandez with 22 seconds remaining delivered New England to another home victory, this one against Dallas, as Brady remained firmly positioned to collect MVP honors should Rodgers falter. Welker's raw stats earned him a place on this list a week ago, and rightfully so. But if someone from the Patriots winds up winning MVP honors, that someone is going to be Brady, period. The Dallas game showed why, again.

Week 6 vs. DAL

3. FRANK GORE

It's been a strange season for Gore to this point. He held out for a new contract, started slowly in a new offense, suffered an ankle injury and watched rookie Kendall Hunter bite into his playing time, once even replacing Gore in the lineup. The past three weeks have demonstrated Gore's value to the team, however. He has rushed for at least 125 yards in every one of them. The only complaint? Three dropped passes. Gore remains a terrific option out of the backfield, however.

Week 6 at DET

4. CALVIN JOHNSON

The 49ers' front seven got enough pressure to keep the Lions' receiving game largely in check. The Lions kept settling for short passes to the tight end (Brandon Pettigrew finished with eight receptions for only 42 yards). Johnson did break through with a 41-yard reception. He went without a TD catch for the first time this season. It's a testament to Johnson's abilities when an opponent with a defense as formidable as the 49ers' feels good about holding a player to seven receptions for 113 yards.

Week 6 vs. SF

5. MATTHEW STAFFORD

Stafford took nearly as many sacks against the 49ers (five) as he had taken in the Lions' five games previously (six). The 49ers sent more than four pass-rushers only once in 57 drop backs, according to ESPN Stats & Information. (Jim Harbaugh indicated the team never sent more than four, but whatever the case, San Francisco got pressure without sacrificing coverage.) The constant pressure made Stafford's job tougher. Stafford did not respond as well as the Lions would have liked. Jim Schwartz even publicly said this wasn't a good game for his QB.

Week 6 vs. SF

6. DARREN McFADDEN

A 20-carry, 91-yard performance in victory helped the Raiders get to 4-2 while keeping McFadden atop the list of leading rushers. Losing quarterback Jason Campbell to a broken collarbone threatened to make McFadden's job tougher by limiting the Raiders' offense. But with Carson Palmer coming aboard and the Raiders' bye week approaching after one more game, the outlook for McFadden remains strong this season. He has not been as productive as a receiver out of the backfield, however.

Week 6 vs. CLE

7. DREW BREES

The INTs are creeping back into Brees' game for the second season in a row. He finished last season with 22, a career high. He has eight over the Saints' past four games, putting him on pace for 21 picks this season. He won't win MVP honors turning over the ball that frequently, no matter what factors might be contributing to the situation. Games against Indianapolis and St. Louis over the next two weeks should give Brees an opportunity to move back up the list.

Week 6 at TB

8. FRED JACKSON

Jackson has put together consecutive 100-yard rushing games to move within 9 yards of the Raiders' McFadden for most rushing yards in the league. He's also averaging a career-high 11.9 yards per reception on 24 catches. The jinx factor is heavily in play as I point out another mark in Jackson's favor: He has yet to fumble on 130 touches this season. That will not change for at least another week. The Bills have a bye.

Week 6 at NYG

9. MATT FORTE

Speaking of jinx factors, Forte hasn't fumbled on 135 touches this season. He had nine fumbles, with the Bears losing five of them, over the previous two seasons. Forte's raw rushing totals aren't all that overwhelming, but with 36 receptions for 381 yards, his all-around production has been critical for a team whose only defeats were against Green Bay, New Orleans and Detroit. Forte next faces a Tampa Bay defense that, while stout against the run in some games, nonetheless allowed 186 yards rushing to Minnesota and 213 to San Francisco.

Week 6 vs. MIN

10. RAY RICE

The Ravens have already had their bye, one reason Rice's season totals don't match up as well. He's been a driving force behind a 4-1 start to the season. Rice is coming off his first 100-yard rushing game since the opener. He has consistently produced as a receiver and now has 700 total yards. He trails only Jackson and Forte in total yards from scrimmage per game (140).

Week 6 vs. HOU

1. AARON RODGERS

Rodgers is one of six players since 1960 to average at least 9.0 YPA on at least 180 attempts through the first five games of a season, according to Pro Football Reference. Peyton Manning (2009), Daunte Culpepper (2004), Brady (2011), Joe Montana (1990) and Rivers (2010) are the others. Only Manning, Montana and Rodgers posted 5-0 starting records in the process.

Week 5 at ATL

2. TOM BRADY

Brady is leading the league in passing yards, YPA and TD passes. He's facing a Dallas defense that is coming off a bye week and hasn't allowed a 300-yard passer since Week 1. The Cowboys' defensive coordinator, Rob Ryan, worked for the Patriots from 2000-03 and coordinated a Cleveland Browns defense that limited Brady to 224 yards passing in a game last season.

Week 5 vs. NYJ

3. MATTHEW STAFFORD

The Lions' spread passing attack puts considerable pressure on Stafford to carry the offense without a conventional running game. Stafford leads the NFL in pass attempts from the shotgun formation. He has 164. Brady and Cam Newton are next at 131. Notably, though, Stafford leads the NFL in Total QBR (97.5) and NFL passer rating (150.4) on play-action passes. He has completed 24 of 30 attempts for 363 yards with three TDs and no INTs on these throws.

Week 5 vs. CHI

4. DREW BREES

Brees has thrown for at least 350 yards in four of the Saints' first five games. He has completed at least 70 percent of his passes in each of the Saints' last four. Brees has five INTs in his last three games, but with the game on the line against Carolina in Week 5, he completed 7 of 8 passes on the Saints' final drive, including one for the winning TD. The Saints are navigating a stretch of their schedule featuring four road trips in a five-game period.

Week 5 at CAR

5. CALVIN JOHNSON

Nine TD receptions through five games puts Johnson in exclusive company, particularly considering the Lions' unbeaten record. Since 1960, only Emerson Boozer, Jim Brown, Abner Haynes and Priest Holmes have scored more TDs of any kind through five games. Of the 14 players with at least nine in five game since 1960, only Johnson and Brown played for teams with 5-0 records.

Week 5 vs. CHI

6. WES WELKER

Welker is the only player in league history to catch at least 45 passes for at least 740 yards and at least five touchdowns through five games. The 99-yarder he caught against Miami is doing wonders for Welker's yards per reception average. Without that catch, his average drops from 16.4 to 14.6 yards. Both would be single-season highs for Welker since he averaged 15.0 yards on 29 receptions in 2005.

Week 5 vs. NYJ

7. FRED JACKSON

Jackson is the only player since 1960 with at least 480 yards rushing, 232 yards receiving and five rushing TDs through the first five games of a season. He's back on the MVP Watch list after posting his first 100-yard rushing game since Week 2. Jackson leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage. His versatility is one key to the Bills' offense.

Week 5 vs. PHI

8. DARREN McFADDEN

The Raiders improved to 3-2 with a big win at Houston. McFadden managed only 51 yards rushing, his lowest total in a game this season, but his 13-yard run on third-and-2 moved the Raiders into position for a go-ahead field goal in the third quarter. And when the Raiders fell behind again, McFadden produced runs covering 8, 14 and 20 yards on successive plays during the winning drive.

Week 5 at HOU

9. MATT HASSELBECK

Hasselbeck ranks third behind Rodgers and Brady in Total QBR through five games, just ahead of Brees and Ryan Fitzpatrick. That is outstanding company for Hasselbeck, even though his team's three-game winning streak ended with a 38-17 defeat at Pittsburgh. The Titans have their bye week to work out issues in their ground game. Hasselbeck should be able to sustain his production if Chris Johnson and the running game start meeting expectations. The Titans' next three games are at home.

Week 5 at PIT

10. FRANK GORE

The first three games of the season were rough on Gore. His offensive line was struggling and Gore didn't look quite right. An ankle injury suffered against Cincinnati raised questions about his ability to produce. Gore has answered those questions resoundingly. He was the choice to represent the 49ers on this list, even though teammate Alex Smith is on pace for 22 TDs and three INTs. Another game or two from Smith like the one he played Sunday might change the equation.

Week 5 vs. TB

1. AARON RODGERS

Completing 74.2 percent of his passes with eight TDs and one INT against four or fewer pass-rushers, but good luck blitzing him. Rodgers is completing 71.2 percent with four TDs and one INT against five or more rushers. Pick your poison, in other words. Rodgers has been particularly effective working the middle of the field, completing 81.4 percent with 10 TDs, two INTs and league-leading totals in QBR (98.9) and NFL passer rating (146.2) when throwing between the yard-line numbers.

Week 4 vs. DEN

2. TOM BRADY

Brady's candidacy should gain momentum as that four-INT game against the Bills becomes a fading memory. Brady leads the NFL in passing yards, YPA (9.53) and TD passes. He's on pace for 6,212 yards and if he were to somehow reach 6,000 for a team with a winning record, it's tough to envision anyone else winning MVP honors. But with passing stats accumulating at an unprecedented rate around the NFL, Brady will not be the only QB with staggering numbers.

Week 4 at OAK

3. MATTHEW STAFFORD

The Lions are 4-0 for the first time since 1980, roughly eight years before Stafford was even born. Monte Clark was the head coach, Gary Danielson was the starting QB and Billy Sims was the leading rusher for that Lions team. How much have times changed? Stafford has nearly as many TD passes through four games (11) as Danielson managed through a full season (13). That Lions team finished 9-7, a reminder that the season remains young.

Week 4 at DAL

4. DREW BREES

Brees has 88 pass attempts and 721 passing yards in his last two games. He'd rank higher on this list, most likely, if the schedule makers hadn't sent the Saints to Green Bay in Week 1. This is the second season in a row Brees has thrown no INTs in the first two games. Then as now, however, the picks are starting to accumulate. He had 10 over a five-game period beginning in Week 3 last season. He has four in Weeks 3-4, but now faces a Carolina team with only two picks this season.

Week 4 at JAC

5. CALVIN JOHNSON

Let's go back to that 1980 Lions team for a moment. Freddie Scott was that team's leading receiver with 53 receptions for 834 yards and four touchdowns. Johnson has 24 receptions for 321 yards and eight TDs through four games. That puts him on pace to finish the regular season with 96 receptions for 1,284 yards and 32 TDs. "Eight touchdowns in four games? That's unheard of," Fitzgerald marveled.

Week 4 at DAL

6. MATT HASSELBECK

After a few rough seasons to end his Seattle tenure, Hasselbeck is flourishing behind an improved line. He's on pace to complete 352 of 528 passes for 4,608 yards with 32 TDs and 12 INTs. He has never passed for more than 3,966 yards or 28 TDs in a season, although he likely would have piled up more TDs with the Seahawks if Shaun Alexander hadn't been a scoring machine for five seasons. The biggest question is whether Hasselbeck can start 16 games in a season for the fourth time in his career and the first time since 2007. Getting Chris Johnson going should help.

Week 4 at CLE

7. DARREN McFADDEN

A disappointing game for the Raiders against New England could not stop McFadden from putting up decent numbers, thanks largely to a 41-yard run. McFadden already has three runs covering at least 40 yards, one shy of his total for last season. He's leading the NFL in rushing by nearly 20 yards per game and is the only player with more than 32 carries to average at least 6 yards per attempt. Upcoming games against Houston, Cleveland, Kansas City and Denver appear manageable.

Week 4 vs. NE

8. ELI MANNING

Manning is completing a career-best 64 percent of his passes with a career-best 8.5 YPA. His NFL passer rating to this point (105.6) would also be a career best by a wide margin. His sacks are up, but so far Manning is avoiding the INTs that muddied up his stat line last season. He's on pace for 32 TDs with eight INTs. That would be one more TD with 17 fewer INTs, progress by any measure. Manning's improved efficiency has helped the Giants win three in a row despite quite a few injuries, with comeback victories over Philadelphia and Arizona.

Week 4 at ARI

9. RYAN FITZPATRICK

In a season marked by inflated passing numbers, Fitzpatrick's stat line impresses me most for the absence of sacks -- only two in 147 drop backs. A little digging through Pro Football Reference revealed Fitzpatrick and former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jack Trudeau as the only players in the sack era (1982 to present) with at least 145 attempts in one season and no more than two sacks. Fewest sacks taken in a season for players with at least 300 attempts: Dan Marino (six in 606 attempts during the 1988 season) and Mark Rypien (six in 304 attempts in 1990). The leading QBs in this category are notable for their lack of mobility. Decision-making is key to avoiding sacks.

Week 4 at CIN

10. PHILIP RIVERS

The Chargers are 3-1 and Rivers has survived injuries to key targets in making sure San Diego remains competitive. Rivers is on pace for the first 5,000-yard season of his career, but with a TD-INT ratio of only 5-6, he'll need to start finding the end zone more frequently. The Chargers have yet to score more than 26 points in a game this season. They had two games with at least 38 points at this point last season. Rivers had a 9-4 ratio of TDs to INTs at that time, but the Chargers were only 2-2.

Week 4 vs. MIA

1. PEYTON MANNING

Ten Pro Bowls and four MVP awards make Manning the favorite as long as he's on top of his game. And he is definitely on top of his game. Manning leads the NFL with nine TD passes and has yet to throw an interception. That puts him on an impossible pace (48 TDs, 0 INTs). Before this season, Manning had not gone three consecutive games without a pick since throwing none in the final four games of the 2008 season.

Week 3 at DEN

2010 Statistics

2. JAY CUTLER

I took some heat for ranking Cutler second on the MVP Watch a week ago. Truth be told, I felt he was the second-best quarterback on the field when the Bears played Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay on Monday night. But it's tough to say Cutler's candidacy has fallen off after the Bears improved to 3-0, so Cutler remains in the second spot pending the string of interceptions that always seem to be around the corner. Cutler ranks third in passer rating to this point and no one can match his 9.56-yard average per pass attempt.

Week 3 vs. GB

2010 Statistics

3. MICHAEL VICK

Six TD passes, no INTs and the second-highest passer rating in the league tell us Vick is much more than the athletic scrambler he portrayed earlier in his career. It's not just the stats, either. It's the way he's slinging the ball around the field with accuracy and bad intentions. Some of the throws he makes are inspired. He also has two rushes of at least 20 yards. Only five running backs have more.

Week 3 at JAC

2010 Statistics

4. DREW BREES

Brees is completing a league-best 75.9 percent of his passes with a passer rating (107.6) that ranks fifth in the league. The Saints' schedule should help Brees pad his MVP credentials over the next month or so. The team faces Carolina, Arizona, Tampa Bay and Cleveland in its next four games. Let's see if Brees can start hitting a few more big plays.

Week 3 vs. ATL

2010 Statistics

5. TOM BRADY

Only Manning has thrown more TD passes this season. Only Manning, Vick and Cutler have higher ratings. Brady has taken only two sacks this season even though the team is missing Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins. The line gets some credit, but quarterbacks are key in keeping sacks to a minimum. Tony Romo is the only QB with fewer sacks and as many attempts as Brady.

Week 3 vs. BUF

2010 Statistics

6. MATT RYAN

Beating the Saints enhances Ryan's MVP credentials. Ryan and WR Roddy White lit up the 49ers' defense at Candlestick Park last season. The struggling 49ers visit the Georgia Dome in Week 4. Perhaps that means Ryan will have another chance to pump up his numbers.

Week 3 at NO

2010 Statistics

7. AARON RODGERS

Rodgers took a break from the MVP Watch last week as I sought to recognize teammate Clay Matthews for getting 6.0 sacks in the first two games. Rodgers was subsequently brilliant in defeat against the Bears. Critics can point to the fact that Green Bay has never won its division or a playoff game since making the switch to Rodgers. That has to change if Rodgers keeps playing at his current level.

Week 3 at CHI

2010 Statistics

8. PHILIP RIVERS

The Chargers lost in Seattle, but Rivers passed for 455 yards, leaving him in the league lead in passing yards this season. Rivers trails only Cutler in YPA, a reflection of the Chargers' penchant for pushing the ball downfield (even without Vincent Jackson). The Chargers' schedule delivers Arizona, Oakland and St. Louis over the next three weeks.

Week 3 at SEA

2010 Statistics

9. CHRIS JOHNSON

Johnson ranks only fifth in rushing yards to this point and his 4.0-yard average is down from 5.6 last season. The Titans bounced back from their Week 2 defeat, however, and Johnson figures to keep producing 100-yard games. He has two 100-yard games already this season after posting only one in the Titans' first five games last season. Johnson's big push last season began in Week 6.

Week 3 at NYG

2010 Statistics

10. ADRIAN PETERSON

The Vikings appear determined to funnel their offense through Peterson while the passing game fights through injuries and Brett Favre's inconsistency. That means Peterson's stats should surge. It's debatable, however, whether the Vikings will win enough games -- and win impressively enough -- for Peterson's MVP candidacy to flourish.

Week 3 vs. DET

2010 Statistics

1. PEYTON MANNING

Manning leads the NFL in touchdown passes and has yet to throw an interception. He's the only quarterback completing at least 70 percent of his passes while averaging at least 8.0 yards per attempt.

Week 2 vs. NYG

2010 Statistics

2. JAY CUTLER

Cutler leads the NFL in passer rating and yards per attempt. The latter figure -- 10.14 -- appears unsustainable. Cutler has never averaged better than 7.5 YPA in a season.

Week 2 at DAL

2010 Statistics

3. MATT SCHAUB

His 497-yard passing performance at Washington was impressive, but Schaub previously showed he could win without putting up huge numbers. He had 107 yards in Week 1 victory over Colts.

Week 2 at WAS

2010 Statistics

4. DREW BREES

Brees leads the NFL in completion percentage even though the Saints' passing game hasn't really hit stride. Avoiding turnovers against the 49ers was critical Monday night.

Week 2 at SF

2010 Statistics

5. PHILIP RIVERS

Rivers and Cutler are the only NFL quarterbacks averaging at least 9.0 YPA. That means Rivers is still making plays downfield even without Vincent Jackson.

Week 2 vs. JAC

2010 Statistics

6. MICHAEL VICK

Andy Reid can't lose going with the QB that gives him the best chance to win. If Kevin Kolb is that guy in the future, play him then. No big deal.

Week 2 at DET

2010 Statistics

7. ADRIAN PETERSON

Peterson ranks third in rushing yards this season and could carry more of the load if the Vikings' passing game continues to falter.

Week 2 vs. MIA

2010 Statistics

8. CLAY MATTHEWS

Matthews had 10.0 sacks as a rookie. He now has 16.0 sacks in his first 18 regular-season NFL games. He also has eight passes defensed.

Week 2 vs. BUF

2010 Statistics

9. CHRIS JOHNSON

A down week against the Steelers shouldn't come as a great surprise. Johnson had only 57 yards against Pittsburgh last season and he still finished with 2,006 for the season.

Week 2 vs. PIT

2010 Statistics

10. TOM BRADY

Despite a rough week against the Jets, Brady remains one of five quarterbacks with more than four touchdown passes this season. He has taken only one sack.

Week 2 at NYJ

2010 Statistics

1. PEYTON MANNING

Manning is certainly the least dispensable player in the NFL. The Colts would have a hard time functioning without him. He is their everything.

2009 Statistics

2. DREW BREES

Four consecutive seasons with at least 4,300 yards puts Brees in elite company. Has averaged at least 8.0 yards per attempt three of past four seasons.

2009 Statistics

3. CHRIS JOHNSON

The Titans' losing streak early last season hurt Johnson's MVP chances. A little more team success could be the difference for Johnson in 2010.

2009 Statistics

4. AARON RODGERS

It's getting tougher and tougher to question the Packers' decision to hand over their offense to Rodgers. He has topped 4,000 yards in each season as a starter.

2009 Statistics

5. TONY ROMO

The Cowboys' offensive line raises concerns, but Romo can throw accurately on the move in part because he keeps his eyes downfield when he rolls out.

2009 Statistics

6. TOM BRADY

It didn't feel as though Brady posted the second-highest passer rating of his career last season, but he did. He also set a career best for fewest sacks in a full season.

2009 Statistics

7. ADRIAN PETERSON

Peterson might have to carry more of the load in Minnesota while Brett Favre deals with issues at wide receiver. Peterson's yards-per-carry average has fallen substantially each year, however.

2009 Statistics

8. ANDRE JOHNSON

The only wide receiver to make the preseason top-10 list, Johnson has reached 100 receptions in three of the past four seasons. Set a career high for yards per catch in 2009.

2009 Statistics

9. MATT SCHAUB

Schaub started 16 games in a season for the first time in 2009, and his stats soared as a result. Fifteen interceptions was slightly high, at least relatively speaking.

2009 Statistics

10. BRETT FAVRE

Favre's inclusion on the list early last season predictably drew criticism, but that changed quickly as he began making more plays downfield. Can he do it again?

2009 Statistics

1. PEYTON MANNING
QB | Indianapolis Colts

Last Week: 1

2. DREW BREES
QB | New Orleans Saints

Last Week: 2

3. PHILIP RIVERS
QB | San Diego Chargers

CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	YPA	LNG	TD	INT	SACK	RAT
317	486	4,254	65.2	8.75	81	28	9	25	104.4

Rivers might have been the MVP in the end if the season had extended a few more weeks. Led the NFL in yards per attempt while throwing only nine interceptions.

Last Week: 3