NFL Power Rankings: Top 5 Early Favorites for MVP

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have dominated the MVP circuit over the past four seasons, but does this season call for a change?

Skill players are stirring up some early season soup on who this year's MVP will be, but quarterbacks Brady and Aaron Rodgers still seem to be the favorites. 

The season may be young, but here are five early favorites for the NFL's MVP award.

Wes Welker

Wes Welker is averaging 148 yards per game so far this season, which sets a pace for a remarkable 2,368 yard season.

The most receiving yards in one particular season ever was 1,848, set by Jerry Rice in 1995. This means Welker is more than 500 yards above the record's pace.

Tom Brady will also be in the running if Welker does reach the 2,000-yard mark, which ultimately hurts the chances of the receiver taking home the hardware.

Darren McFadden

The Oakland Raiders are 3-2, and it is because of Darren McFadden that they have experienced so much success.

McFadden has rushed for a league-leading 519 yards, despite averaging just 18 carries a game.

Expect McFadden to get some serious consideration for the award if the Raiders do make the playoffs because he is the spark that makes these Raiders light up.  

Calvin Johnson

Calvin "Megatron" Johnson has a rare combination of size, speed, hands, strength and leaping ability. He stands at 6'5", has a 40-yard dash time of 4.35 seconds and has vertical jump of 44 inches.

The Lions are now off to their first 5-0 start since 1956 after Johnson hauled in five receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown on MNF.

His own streak of games with at least two touchdown catches ended at four, which tied Chris Carter's record for most consecutive games with two touchdown catches.

Johnson has developed himself into one of the game's most intimidating players, and he now demands double or triple coverage every play.

No wide receiver has ever won the Associated Press MVP award, but Megatron may have the opportunity if he can lead the Lions to the playoffs while continuing to put up incredible numbers.

Tom Brady

Tom Brady is a two-time NFL MVP, and the quarterback is once again in contention for the award. 

Brady is averaging 375 yards passing through the first five games of the season, while also throwing for 14 passing touchdowns. No. 12 has also guided the defensively challenged Patriots to an impressive 4-1 record. 

The quarterback will have thrown for nearly 6,000 yards if he keeps up this phenomenal pace, which will break Dan Marino's record by more than 900 yards.

Aaron Rodgers

Just imagine how much better the Packers would have been if they had some player-only workouts this offseason. 

With all joking aside, Rodgers has to be the clear-cut favorite for the league's MVP award. He has guided his team to a perfect 5-0 record and has thrown for 14 touchdown passes compared to just two interceptions.

Rodgers also has the highest QBR in the NFL, which gives a remarkably true report on how well a quarterback is playing, in my opinion.

Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers are the top two early season favorites to take home the hardware, but it will be fascinating to see if a dark-horse can rise to the top by season's end.