NFL Rankings Week 8: San Diego Chargers Quarterback Philip Rivers Is NFL MVP

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is the only legitimate candidate for the 2010 NFL MVP. Rivers has carried the Chargers on his back this season, keeping their playoff hopes alive with a big win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 8.

Rivers is posting historic passing statistics without some of his best receivers. His No. 1 target, Vincent Jackson, hasn't even played yet due to a holdout and Malcom Floyd and Legedu Naanee have missed several games due to injuries.

Marcus McNeill, Rivers' Pro Bowl left tackle, missed almost the entire first half of the season due to a contract holdout and All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates has been injured all season, summoning the strength to play and perform well.

On Sunday, Rivers took his 2010 season to historic levels, breaking NFL and franchise records.

Rivers has thrown for 2,649 yards this season, which is the all-time high for passing yards through eight games in NFL history. Rivers has also passed for 300+ yards five times already, which ties his career-high for a single season.

A 48-yard touchdown pass to tight end Antonio Gates in the third quarter gave Rivers a touchdown pass in 21 straight games, breaking the Chargers team record previously held by Dan Fouts, who was in San Diego Sunday as a member of the CBS broadcast team.

Rivers' lack of quality receivers has not limited his play in any way and he has shown he is able to spread the ball to anyone who is open.

Against the Tennessee Titans in Week 8, Rivers completed a pass to eight different receivers, running backs and fullbacks, including some who were not even on the Chargers' opening day roster.

San Diego is 3-5 this season, but without Rivers' spectacular play, they could easily be 0-8.

Rivers signed a six-year contract extension in 2009, worth about $92 million, and he is proving to the Chargers front office that he is worth every penny.

Without a stable running game, Rivers has had to win games by himself. Other NFL MVP candidates such as Peyton Manning have been in similar situations, but Rivers does not possess the quality receivers that Manning does.

Rivers is completing 64.7 percent of his passes and has thrown 15 touchdown passes with only seven interceptions. These stats are not glaring, but without a good running game and consistent protection from his offensive line, the numbers stand out.

Philip Rivers is taking his game to a much higher level than he's ever played at and he is doing it while looking downfield at receivers who are average at best. 

In Week 7 versus the New England Patriots, Rivers nearly brought the Chargers to an even tie in the final minutes, but a missed field goal left San Diego with another loss.

Throughout the game, the Chargers receivers dropped perfect passes on nearly every drive, but Rivers didn't let it bother him, putting on a passing exhibition to give his team a chance at the end.

Unfazed by the lack of quality targets, Rivers is playing so well and is so confident that coach Norv Turner could put the practice squad receiving corps on the field and Rivers would still throw for 300 yards.

The debate over who deserves the 2010 NFL MVP will heat up more with each passing week, but Rivers is not only making the case for MVP, but to be regarded as the best quarterback in the NFL.