Thirty-four quarterbacks, 17 running backs, two defensive players and one kicker have won MVP honors in the NFL since 1957.
Past MVPs (as awarded annually by the Associated Press) played for teams that won 79.6 percent of their games, or an average of 12.7 games won over a 16-game schedule.
Each of the 54 MVPs and co-MVPs played for a winning team.
The 1997 Detroit Lions (9-7, .563) are the only team to produce an MVP without winning at least 62.5 percent of their games (Barry Sanders shared MVP honors with Brett Favre that season).
Quarterbacks have won seven of the last nine MVP awards playing for teams that won 12.9 games on average (median was 12 victories). Quarterbacks and running backs have won the last 24 MVP awards since Lawrence Taylor prevailed following the 1986 season.
These are a few things to keep in mind when wondering why quarterbacks and running backs dominate the latest MVP Watch list even though some others might be enjoying more impressive individual seasons.
1. DREW BREES
The quarterback with the most TD passes and highest passer rating plays for a team with an 8-0 record. Sounds like a decent MVP candidate. 2. PEYTON MANNING
Leads the league in yards per game while completing 70.607 percent of his passes, second only to a certain Pittsburgh passer's 70.6107 percentage rate. 
3. BEN ROETHLISBERGER
Ranks second only to Brees in yards per attempt (8.815 to 8.759). Consistently strikes fear into defenses during 2-minute situations. 
4. BRETT FAVRE
Trails only Brees in passer rating, and it's close. Right behind Brees for the league lead in TD passes per attempt. 5. TOM BRADY
Providing MVP-caliber production by nearly any standard but the one he set during the 2007 season. Should not have to compete against that. 6. CEDRIC BENSON
Ranks second only to Chris Johnson in rushing yards per game. Ranks tied for third in carries covering 20 yards or longer. 7. TONY ROMO
Has exceeded 300 yards passing three times during current four-game winning streak. Temperament seems to have improved. 8. DWIGHT FREENEY
Has at least one sack in every game this season, including 1.5 while the Colts held the Texans to their fewest point total since Week 1. 9. MICHAEL TURNER
Has rushed for 317 yards with three TDs in his last two games, putting him back on pace for more than 1,400 yards and 17 rushing TDs. 10. JARED ALLEN
Has 7.5 of his 10.5 sacks against the Packers. Also has a safety and a fumble return for a touchdown this season. Always a threat.
Past MVPs (as awarded annually by the Associated Press) played for teams that won 79.6 percent of their games, or an average of 12.7 games won over a 16-game schedule.
Each of the 54 MVPs and co-MVPs played for a winning team.
The 1997 Detroit Lions (9-7, .563) are the only team to produce an MVP without winning at least 62.5 percent of their games (Barry Sanders shared MVP honors with Brett Favre that season).
Quarterbacks have won seven of the last nine MVP awards playing for teams that won 12.9 games on average (median was 12 victories). Quarterbacks and running backs have won the last 24 MVP awards since Lawrence Taylor prevailed following the 1986 season.
These are a few things to keep in mind when wondering why quarterbacks and running backs dominate the latest MVP Watch list even though some others might be enjoying more impressive individual seasons.
1. DREW BREES
QB | New Orleans Saints
| CMP | ATT | YDS | CMP% | YPA | LNG | TD | INT | SACK | RAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 181 | 265 | 2,336 | 68.3 | 8.82 | 66 | 17 | 7 | 12 | 106.1 |
The quarterback with the most TD passes and highest passer rating plays for a team with an 8-0 record. Sounds like a decent MVP candidate. Last Week: 1
2. PEYTON MANNING
QB | Indianapolis Colts
| CMP | ATT | YDS | CMP% | YPA | LNG | TD | INT | SACK | RAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 221 | 313 | 2,545 | 70.6 | 8.13 | 80 | 16 | 5 | 7 | 105.2 |
Leads the league in yards per game while completing 70.607 percent of his passes, second only to a certain Pittsburgh passer's 70.6107 percentage rate.Last Week: 2
3. BEN ROETHLISBERGER
QB | Pittsburgh Steelers
| CMP | ATT | YDS | CMP% | YPA | LNG | TD | INT | SACK | RAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 185 | 262 | 2,295 | 70.6 | 8.76 | 52 | 14 | 7 | 23 | 104.1 |
Ranks second only to Brees in yards per attempt (8.815 to 8.759). Consistently strikes fear into defenses during 2-minute situations.Last Week: 4
4. BRETT FAVRE
QB | Minnesota Vikings
| CMP | ATT | YDS | CMP% | YPA | LNG | TD | INT | SACK | RAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 174 | 256 | 1,925 | 68.0 | 7.52 | 63 | 16 | 3 | 18 | 106.0 |
Trails only Brees in passer rating, and it's close. Right behind Brees for the league lead in TD passes per attempt.Last Week: 4
5. TOM BRADY
QB | New England Patriots
| CMP | ATT | YDS | CMP% | YPA | LNG | TD | INT | SACK | RAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 204 | 310 | 2,364 | 65.8 | 7.63 | 71 | 16 | 5 | 10 | 99.2 |
Providing MVP-caliber production by nearly any standard but the one he set during the 2007 season. Should not have to compete against that.Last Week: 5
6. CEDRIC BENSON
RB | Cincinnati Bengals
| ATT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 198 | 837 | 4.2 | 28 | 6 | 10 | 66 | 6.6 | 19 | 0 |
Ranks second only to Chris Johnson in rushing yards per game. Ranks tied for third in carries covering 20 yards or longer.Last Week: NR
7. TONY ROMO
QB | Dallas Cowboys
| CMP | ATT | YDS | CMP% | YPA | LNG | TD | INT | SACK | RAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 159 | 264 | 2,215 | 60.2 | 8.39 | 80 | 13 | 5 | 17 | 95.8 |
Has exceeded 300 yards passing three times during current four-game winning streak. Temperament seems to have improved.Last Week: 7
8. DWIGHT FREENEY
DE | Indianapolis Colts
| TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 15 | 4 | 9.5 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
Has at least one sack in every game this season, including 1.5 while the Colts held the Texans to their fewest point total since Week 1.Last Week: NR
9. MICHAEL TURNER
RB | Atlanta Falcons
| ATT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 156 | 720 | 4.6 | 58 | 10 | 5 | 35 | 7.0 | 10 | 0 |
Has rushed for 317 yards with three TDs in his last two games, putting him back on pace for more than 1,400 yards and 17 rushing TDs.Last Week: NR
10. JARED ALLEN
DE | Minnesota Vikings
| TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | STF | STFY | FF | BK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 28 | 6 | 10.5 | 5 | 12 | 3 | 0 |
Has 7.5 of his 10.5 sacks against the Packers. Also has a safety and a fumble return for a touchdown this season. Always a threat.Last Week: 9
Mike Sando | email
NFL- NFC West Blogger
- Joined ESPN in 2007
- Lives in the Seattle-Tacoma area with his wife and two sons
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