Fantasy Football: NFL MVP Week Seven

This article can also be found on FantasyPros911.com.

Each week, Dan Parzych will take a look at the top performers in the NFL with Parzych's 2009 NFL MVP, whether they are at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, or tight end.

Along with the best performers each week, be sure to check out Parzych's 2009 NFL LVP, in which he covers the Least Valuable Players each week in the NFL.

Here are the results for Week Seven of the 2009 NFL regular season:

Quarterback: Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals

Despite the team's early success, Cincinnati Bengals QB Carson Palmer still seemed capable of reaching a playing level that would make him one of the top quarterbacks in the league. After Sunday's victory against the Chicago Bears, it's safe to say he showed us why he should be considered a top-five quarterback in the NFL.

Not only did Palmer throw five touchdowns against a Bears defense struggling with injuries, but he completed 83 percent of his passes, finishing 20-of-24 for 233 yards. He found WR Chad Ochocinco in the end zone twice, helping him reach his second-straight 100-yard game for the first time in two years.

Palmer's performance against the Bears seemed as close to a perfect game as a quarterback can have in the NFL. If he continues to use the weapons he has on offense, there's every reason to believe the Bengals will be playoff contenders and finish at the top of the AFC North standings.

Running Back: Shonn Greene and Thomas Jones, New York Jets

For the record, it was a close call at running back after the performance Cincinnati Bengals RB Cedric Benson displayed against his former Chicago Bears teammates, rushing for a career high 189 yards and a touchdown. However, this award goes to two players who single-handedly could have defeated the Oakland Raiders on their own.

New York Jets RBs Shonn Greene and Thomas Jones easily took advantage of the NFL's 30th ranked rushing defense. Greene replaced the injured Leon Washington, who is out with a broken leg, and rushed for 144 yards and two touchdowns. On top of that, Jones finished with 121 yards and a touchdown.

Overall, the Jets finished with 316 total yards on the ground and became the first team in 34 years to record 300 yards rushing in two straight games. Washington may be out for the remainder of the season, but the Jets have to feel confident with the potential of Greene and Jones sharing carries at running back.

Wide Receiver: Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys

There was once a time where many questioned whether or not Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo would survive without having WR Terrell Owens to throw the ball to. Thanks to the play of WR Miles Austin the last two weeks, it appears Romo will be just fine in Dallas.

After a stellar performance against the Kansas City Chiefs—where he hauled in 10 receptions for 250 yards and two touchdowns—Austin put on an encore performance this week to help the Cowboys in a 37-21 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. He caught 10 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns, ringing up his total to 421 yards and four touchdowns the last two games.

In just two weeks, Miles has emerged into a serious fantasy football threat at the wide receiver position. Look for Romo to continue to use him as a weapon on offense since WR Roy Williams has yet to live up to all the hype.

Tight End: Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers

Ever since he was drafted out of the University of Maryland, San Francisco 49ers TE Vernon Davis had yet to live up to his potential in the NFL. After Sunday's performance against the Houston Texans, he is finally developing into the type of threat the team has been waiting for.

Even though the Texans won, Davis put on the type of performance that could only be described as dominant. He may have only brought in seven receptions and 93 yards, but he managed to score three touchdowns from 49ers QB Alex Smith.

After Sunday's performance, Davis has already surpassed his career high in touchdowns and has six on the season. He is slowly becoming the type of tight end who can be a dangerous wide-receiving threat, similar to San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates.

If the 49ers are lucky, he may turn out to be even better and emerge as one of the top tight ends in the NFL.

Defense: Pittsburgh Steelers

Last season, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense dominated opponents all season en route to their sixth Super Bowl in franchise history. On Sunday, they put on a performance well enough to take down the previously undefeated Minnesota Vikings.

Despite surrendering 17 points to the Vikings offense, the Steelers defense scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to help seal the 27-17 victory. Steelers OLB LaMarr Woodley returned a 77-yard fumble for a score while ILB Keyaron Fox picked off Vikings QB Brett Favre and ran it back 82 yards for the score.

Now that Steelers SS Troy Polamalu seems to be fully recovered from his knee injury, there's no reason why this defense shouldn't perform well on a weekly basis.

They were dangerous last season, and they appear to be dangerous once again. Don't be surprised if this isn't the last time the Steelers defense makes this list.