Week 11: Ranking the 10 Most Valuable Players in the National Football League

It's been a month since I updated my weekly MVP rankings and with the season more than two-thirds finished, the race for the MVP has really opened up. Peyton Manning still leads the charge, but it's not as close as you'd think.

Last year's winner, Adrian Peterson, is nowhere to be found in the top 10. He's playing well, but Minnesota has won just two games. The final five weeks could see a few quarterbacks sneak into the top 10, notably Tony Romo, Aaron Rodgers (if he returns) or Nick Foles.

The following five weeks will determine the winner of the 2013 Most Valuable Player award.

1. Peyton Manning, Quarterback, Denver Broncos (Week 7: 1st)

Peyton Manning is still in the middle of a record-breaking season, as he ranks first in the NFL in completions (286), yards (3,572), touchdowns (34) and QBR (82.79). His 118.3 passer rating would be the second-highest total in history (minimum 200 passes). And the Broncos are on pace to score well over 600 points, which would shatter the 2007 Patriots' single-season record of 589.

2. Drew Brees, Quarterback, New Orleans Saints (Week 7: 5th)

Brees has the Saints flying high in the NFC South, following a blowout win over the Dallas Cowboys and a walk-off win over the San Francisco 49ers. His numbers are right on track with his usual, as he's on pace for more than 5,000 passing yards and more than 40 touchdown passes. If Manning's numbers slip or he misses time due to his ankle injuries, Brees could swoop in and collect his first regular-season MVP award.

3. Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts (Week 7: 2nd)

Inconsistency has plagued the Colts, and it's hard to see this team making a Super Bowl run at this point. But at least they have Luck on their side. The second-year quarterback has led them to a 7-3 first-place record despite season-ending injuries to Ahmad Bradshaw, Vick Ballard, Reggie Wayne and Dwayne Allen (plus an ineffective Trent Richardson). He's combined for just nine interceptions and fumbles after totaling 28 last season.

4. Russell Wilson, Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks (Week 7: NR)

Say what you want about Seattle's terrific defense. It's their quarterback who has played the biggest role in their 10-1 start to the season. Wilson has completely avoided the dreaded sophomore slump, as he's thrown for 19 touchdowns and just six picks with a 105.1 passer rating. He's also even more dangerous with his legs, collecting 409 rushing yards in just 11 games.

5. Calvin Johnson, Wide Receiver, Detroit Lions (Week 7: NR)

There's almost no denying that Calvin Johnson is the best non-quarterback in the National Football League. While Adrian Peterson is showing that last year's 2,000-yard campaign was a fluke year in a terrific career, CJ looks like he could threaten his own record for receiving yards every year.

Even though he's missed a game, he's caught 59 passes for 1,083 yards and 11 touchdowns. That puts him on pace for 1,728 yards and 17 touchdowns. His 329-yard receiving explosion against the Dallas Cowboys was one of the all-time great single-game performances in NFL history.

6. Tom Brady, Quarterback, New England Patriots (Week 7: 4th)

His passing numbers are among the worst of his career, but let's not pretend like Tom Brady isn't one of the most important players in the league. He's had to deal with major injuries on both sides of the ball this season and he's kept the Patriots right in contention for a first-round bye.

7. Cam Newton, Quarterback, Carolina Panthers (Week 7: 8th)

The Panthers defense is the talk of the NFL, but it's their third-year quarterback who is playing the best football of his career. He's led the Panthers to six straight victories, and his two-to-one touchdown-to-interception ratio is the highest mark of his career.

8. Jamaal Charles, Running Back, Kansas City Chiefs (Week 7: 9th)

The ironic part of Jamaal Charles' numbers is that they're among the worst of his very underrated NFL career. But the Chiefs have a very limited offense that centers solely around their dominant running back. Charles has rushed for 803 yards and six touchdowns to go with 49 catches for 383 yards and two more touchdowns. If the Chiefs lost him, there's no way Alex Smith could win games by himself.

9. A.J. Green, Wide Receiver, Cincinnati Bengals (Week 7: NR)

For all the talk of Andy Dalton's inconsistent play, we can only imagine what he would be like without A.J. Green as his primary receiving weapon. Through 11 games, Green has recorded 1,020 yards and six scores, including five straight 100-yard games. He's been the most-targeted receiver, per ProFootballFocus (subscription required), in the league. And his Hail Mary touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10 will go down as one of the most memorable plays of the entire season.

10. LeSean McCoy, Running Back, Philadelphia Eagles (Week 7: 10th)

The Eagles have succeeded with two different quarterbacks running the show, but the focal point of the offense is still dangerous running back LeSean McCoy, who leads the NFL in carries (213), yards (1,009) and total yards (1,408). Last week, McCoy appeared to suffer a serious hamstring injury and left the game. He returned after halftime to score his second touchdown. Right now, Nick Foles can't be stopped but neither can McCoy.