Week 4: The 10 Most Valuable Players in the National Football League

With the 2013-14 season one-quarter of the way through, there is no debate over the most valuable player in the league. None. They say opinions can't be wrong, but if you don't think Peyton Manning is the most valuable player this year, you are wrong.

After Manning, however, player rankings become very subjective. Here are mine.

1. Peyton Manning, Quarterback, Denver Broncos

Peyton Manning has been historic this season.

He's on track to have the greatest season ever by a quarterback. Through four games, he's completed 75 percent of his passes for 1470 yards, 16 touchdowns and zero interceptions. His 138.0 passer rating is just 20 points short of perfect.

And he's done a tremendous job of evenly distributing the ball to his four main offensive weapons. 

Oh, and the Broncos are 4-0 while averaging 44.8 points per game. 

2. Tom Brady, Quarterback, New England Patriots

This is an easy choice. Without Tom Brady, the Patriots would be lost on offense this season. With Brady, they're surviving despite Rob Gronkowski, Danny Amendola and Shane Vereen injured as well as Aaron Hernandez out of the NFL. 

Brady has thrown for seven touchdowns to just two interceptions while playing with mostly rookies at wide receiver. Peyton Manning may be posting dominant numbers, but Brady's bunch is also 4-0.

3. Drew Brees, Quarterback, New Orleans Saints

The return of Sean Payton to the New Orleans Saints is huge, but even more important than the genius play-caller is the elite quarterback. 

Brees has led the Saints to a 4-0 record while throwing for 10 touchdowns and a 103.8 passer rating. 

4. Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck's terrific rookie season is nothing compared to the first quarter of his sophomore season. He's thrown five touchdowns to just two interceptions and ranks third in the NFL in QBR. 

He's also averaging almost eight yards per rush to go along with two touchdowns on the ground. The 3-1 Colts are clearly the favorite to win the AFC South.

5. Philip Rivers, Quarterback, San Diego Chargers

Mike McCoy has done an amazing job reviving Rivers' career, as the 31-year-old ranks second in the league with a 118.8 passer rating. He's completed 73.9 percent of his passes with 10 touchdowns and just two interceptions. 

Oh, and he's led a pair of fourth-quarter comeback victories, including a near-walk-off score against the Philadelphia Eagles. 

6. JJ Watt, Defensive End, Houston Texans

JJ Watt looks like he could be the next Lawrence Taylor. He really does. He's the early favorite to win his second straight Defensive Player of the Year award.

Through four games, Watt's +27.9 rating on Pro Football Focus (subscription required) is miles ahead of the next-best player in the league (Peyton Manning). So far in 2013-14, he's collected four sacks, six hits, 13 hurries, two batted passes and 17 tackles.

He's a one-man wrecking crew.

7. Tony Romo, Quarterback, Dallas Cowboys

Don't blame Tony Romo for the Cowboys' two losses this season. He's one of the most prolific passers in the league. Just look at his numbers: He's completed 72.4 percent of his passes for eight touchdowns and just a single interception.

That's a career-best 105.0 passer rating.

8. Ndamukong Suh, Defensive Tackle, Detroit Lions

The No. 2 pick in the 2010 draft is turning in his first elite season since his rookie campaign. To this point in the year, he's recorded a league-best 22 hurries to go with two sacks.

9. Alterraun Verner, Cornerback, Tennessee Titans

The Titans' new and improved defense is led by corner Alterraun Verner, who's allowing a minuscule 12.9 passer rating this season according to PFF. He's been targeted 23 times, allowing just eight completions for 112 yards. He's also intercepted four passes in just four games.

10. Justin Houston, Linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs

The league's biggest surprise team is led by the most underrated player in the game, third-year linebacker Justin Houston.

Houston leads the NFL with 7.5 sacks and also has 12 hurries to go with 17 defensive stops. He's one of the biggest reasons why the Chiefs are 4-0 at the one-quarter mark.