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Honorable Mentions: Giants WR Steve Smith, Broncos DE Elvis Dumervil, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, Ravens QB Joe Flacco, Texans QB Matt Schaub
10. Jay Cutler - QB
Chicago Bears (3-1) | 89.3 RAT, 83-for-129 (64%), 901 YDS, 7.0 YPA, 8 TD, 5 INT
After that abysmal game against Green Bay, Diabeetus has stepped his game up and has certainly been the most valuable asset to this Bears offense (which is surprisingly doing much better in the air than on the ground). A clutch win over the defending Super Bowl Champion Steelers, and then two great back-to-back 3 TD performances against Seattle and Detroit at #10 on the MVP list. Given the receiving core that he has and the lacking production from Matt Forte, Cutler has put the Bears on his back and deserves MVP talk for a team that has been longing for a QB. Cutler is one pace to become the first Bears QB to throw for 30 TDs since, uh...
...wait, does one even exist?
9. Matt Ryan - QB
Atlanta Falcons (3-1) | 102.9 RAT, 82-of-123 (67%), 977 YDS, 7.9 YPA, 7 TD, 2 INT
I don't think I need to say much for Matt Ryan. Although I personally expected a bit more from him at this point of the year (especially with his weapons), he is certainly the most valuable player on the Falcons (arguably?) and he has the Falcons looking at the playoffs yet again. The legacy continues.
8. Adrian Peterson - HB
Minnesota Vikings (5-0) | 99 CAR, 481 YDS, 4.9 YPC, 7 TD, 2 FUM
Adrian Peterson is the best running back in the game. Let's get that out of the way. However, this is the Most Valuable Player award, not the player with best abilities award. It is also not the Offensive Player of the Year award. Outside of the amount of times he has gotten into the endzone, Adrian Peterson is pretty much identical to last year at this point (statistically). However, last year, the Vikings were 2-3 at this point and time. Now, they're 5-0. Adrian Peterson may be a piece to the puzzle for why they're 5-0, but I just don't believe he's the most valuable player on his own team. The best player? Certainly. The most valuable? No way, especially with his recent struggles and the offense going away from him and relying on the passing game more.
7. Drew Brees - QB
New Orleans Saints (4-0) | 108.4 RAT, 87-of-129 (67%), 1,031 YDS, 8.0 YPA, 9 TD, 2 INT
Were this Week #2, he would probably be #1 or #2. However, his past two outings were lackluster and no TDs were thrown and the defense and rushing attack have been phenomenal for him. In a few weeks, he may climb right back up. However, the running game and the defense of the Saints have proved to be more valuable than him. Last year, his MVP candidacy was based on his numbers and the fact that he almost broke Marino's record. He's not on pace to have that season again. But, he does have the Saints at 4-0 and I have to respect that much.
6. Cedric Benson - HB
Cincinnati Bengals (4-1) | 111 CAR, 487 YDS, 4.4 YPC, 3 TD, 1 FUM
If Chad Pennington can come in second place for taking the Dolphins from 1-15 to 11-5 while taking Comeback Player of the Year honors, I think there certainly should be a place for Cedric Benson on the MVP race. Currently leads the league in rushing and has literally been the rushing attack for the Bengals all by himself. Already looks to be the Comeback Player of the Year and is the difference for the surprising 4-1 Bengals. He keeps drives alive, picks up first downs, and is the rushing attack the Bengals have been looking for. Picked up his 2nd 100-yard game against the Ravens in another tight contest and is looking ready for a 1,600-yard season. Sure, Carson is making the game winning throws, but he's been shaky and inconsistent. Benson is the steady, reliable, and raising his game to a level that the Bengals desperately need on offense. Umm... also, the Bengals are 4-1. Should there be any more explanation for why he's at 6?
5. Darren Sharper - FS
New Orleans Saints (4-0) | 15 TACK, 5 INT, 1 SACK, 275 INT YDS, 2 TD
Cornerback/Safety Fred Thomas. Yeah, Saints' fans know who I'm talking about. Don't know who I'm talking about? Just look at this:
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Darren Sharper has been the greatest thing to happen to the Saints' secondary (and defense) since that sorry sack of... well, you know. And it's funny because people called Sharper him old and thought he would be a liability on defense. Yet, he's responsible for two touchdowns, five turnovers, and a sack. 250+ return yards on defense is ridiculous and we're only four games in for the Saints. He has made the Saints' defense a playmaking defense and people are recognizing it. Before it used to be all offense for the Saints. Now, the defense is doing their part and giving Brees a much easy time (so that he doesn't have to score 28+ a game in order to win) and it all begins with Darren Sharper.
**Note: Deviant's favorite defensive player in the NFL is Darren Sharper. This may be a case of favoritism.
4. Kyle Orton - QB
Denver Broncos (5-0) | 97.4 RAT, 104-of-165 (63%), 1,236 YDS, 7.5 YPA, 7 TD, 1 INT
I'm insane, I know. But, there's a reason why he's here and why I specifically posted the ugly banana color uniform wearing Kyle Orton. Had you seen him in that game, you know why he's here. He currently has a team that no one even expected to have a winning record at this point looking poised to be contenders. Surprise, surprise. Given, in Week 1, I thought Orton was a fluke. But coming into Week 5, he hadn't thrown a pick and has been very effective. He gave Brandon Marshall a chance to win it for them in Dallas the week prior and had to come back from 17-7 to defeat the New England Patriots. He's beginning to utilize Eddy Royal (see the New England game) and Brandon Marshall effectively and he looks to be getting on a roll. Sure, most of this should be credited to Josh McDaniels (who is the front runner for Coach of the Year, undoubtedly), but Orton is outshining and making people forget about that kid that Broncos fans wished they hadn't traded in the off-season... what's his name again?
3. Brett Favre - QB
Minnesota Vikings (5-0) | 104.1 RAT, 103-of-149 (69%), 1,069 YDS, 7.2 YPA, 9 TD, 2 INT
For the record, I'm not a fan of Brett Favre during the off-season. I can't stand him and I wish he would go off the face of the planet. However, he has gotten the Minnesota Vikings at 5-0 and as much as people will disagree with me and say that Adrian Peterson should be here, Favre has proven that he is the most valuable player on that team. The Vikings finally have stability at quarterback and the passing attack is existent. Favre's utilizing all of his weapons (Sidney Rice has already exceeded what his output from last year, Percy Harvin has been extraordinary, Berrian's on pace for a better season, Shiancoe has quietly been great) and the offense has been more reliant as Peterson has been slacking as of late. Don't get me wrong, he certainly does benefit from Peterson, but Favre is more valuable. An amazing game-winner against San Fran, a great performance against his former Packers team, and best of all he's been effective. Without him, this looks like a 2-3 team. The Silver Fox is still grinding.
2. Eli Manning - QB
New York Giants (5-0) | 111.7 RAT, 87-of-135 (64%), 1,212 YDS, 9.0 YPA, 10 TD, 2 INT
Be honest. Would you ever imagine Eli Manning ever being on an MVP list, period? Certainly, the criticism of this pick at him at #2 is that his schedule has been soft, but he's been doing what he's supposed to and the Giants offense is clicking after Eli lost Plax and Toomer. Steve Smith is currently the NFL's leading receiver and he's not a 6'5" behemoth. Manningham is also blossoming and Eli is finally coming into his own and had it not been for the injury and blowing out the Raiders midway through the Second Quarter, his numbers would be much better. However, once again, this is the MVP race, not the Offense Player of the Year race. Eli has looked very sharp and he leads one of the best offenses in the NFL.
1. Peyton Manning - QB
Indianapolis Colts (5-0) | 114.1 RAT, 133-of-181 (74%), 1,645 YDS, 9.1 YPA, 12 TD, 4 INT
Peyton Manning defines what it is to be the most valuable player to a team, especially in the recent years. This year, Marvin Harrison leaves, Tony Dungy leaves, Tom Moore "retires", off-season "controversy", and Anthony Gonzalez is injured in the first week. Five weeks in, Manning has his first season in which he has passed for 300+ in the first four games (and now the fifth) working with two new wideouts in Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon and there is not a player in better form than him. Not one. Without Peyton Manning at the helm, I can't imagine what the Colts would be like. Peyton has not only been dominant, he has been consistently dominating in each game. Only 14 minutes of possession? No running game? Rookie receivers? No problem. It doesn't matter who he's playing... it just looks like he's having a field day against whoever. Gentlemen, we are witnessing the best quarterback of this generation, hands down. Barring an injury, I just don't see anyone contesting him for MVP #4.
Debate. Get irate. Masturbate.
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