NFL MVP Race: Michael Vick and The Top 5 Candidates For Most Valuable Player

The 2010 NFL season has been surprising and thrilling, surrounded by constant talk of how good Michael Vick has become.  

Vick has been in recent conversations as one of the front-runners for the MVP award this season among Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Arian Foster.

Who will win?  Of course it is unknown, but the following players are the top candidates for the Most Valuable Player of the 2010 NFL Season.

* Stat's compiled from ESPN.com

Honorable Mentions

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 11: Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons pulls in the go-ahead touchdown reception in the final seconds against the Baltimore Ravens at Georgia Dome on November 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

WR Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons-  70 Receptions, 934 Yards, 7 Touchdowns

QB Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers- 164-270 for 1963 Yards, 12 TD's, 5 INT's, 90.1 QB Rating

QB Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons- 212-338 for 2265 Yards, 16 TD's, 5 INT's, 91.9 QB Rating

QB Matt Cassell, Kansas City Chiefs- 158-267 for 1881 Yards, 16 TD's, 4 INT's, 94.5 QB Rating

5. RB Arian Foster, Houston Texans

Bob Levey/Getty Images

HOUSTON - NOVEMBER 07: Running back Arian Foster #23 scores against the San Diego Chargers at Reliant Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Remaining Schedule:

Week 11: (AWAY)New York Jets(7-2) 5th Overall Ranked Rushing Defense: 89.6 YPG

Week 12: (HOME)Tennessee Titans(5-4) 11th Overall Ranked Rushing Defense: 103.1 YPG

Week 13: (AWAY)Philadelphia Eagles(6-3) 12th Overall Ranked Rushing Defense: 104.0 YPG

Week 14: (HOME)Baltimore Ravens(6-3) 8th Overall Ranked Rushing Defense: 99.8 YPG

Week 15: (AWAY)Tennessee Titans(5-4) 11th Overall Ranked Rushing Defense: 103.1 YPG

Week 16: (AWAY)Denver Broncos(3-6) 30th Overall Ranked Rushing Defense: 143.1 YPG

Week 17: (HOME)Jacksonville Jaguars(5-4) 21st Overall Ranked Rushing Defense: 114.9 YPG

Highlight Games of the Season:

Week 1 @ Indianapolis: 33 rushing attempts for 231 yards and three touchdowns; One reception for seven yards.

Week 4 @ Oakland: 17 rushing attempts for 133 yards and one touchdown; Three receptions for 56 yards and one touchdown.

Stat's(as of 11/18/10):  172 rushing attempts for 920 yards and 10 touchdowns; 33 receptions for 319 yards and one touchdown.

In his first game of the year Foster almost ran for more yards than he did all of last season.  Since then he hasn't disappointed rushing for over 100 yards four more times this year.  Foster has emerged as one of the league's top back's.  The question is can he continue to perform at this extremely high level, leading the league in rushing yards.

4. WR Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 14: Hakeem Nicks #88 of the New York Giants reacts against the Dallas Cowboys on November 14, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cowboys defeated the Giants 33-20. (Photo by Jim McIsaac

Remaining Schedule: 

Week 11: (AWAY)Philadelphia Eagles(6-3) 16th Overall Ranked Passing Defense: 221.0 YPG

Week 12: (HOME)Jacksonville Jaguars(5-4) 29th Overall Ranked Passing Defense: 272.3 YPG

Week 13: (HOME)Washington Redskins(4-5) 31st Overall Ranked Passing Defense: 286.6 YPG

Week 14: (AWAY)Minnesota Vikings(3-6) 9th Overall Ranked Passing Defense: 210.8 YPG

Week 15: (HOME)Philadelphia Eagles(6-3) 16th Overall Ranked Passing Defense: 221.0 YPG

Week 16: (AWAY)Green Bay Packers(6-3) 11th Overall Ranked Passing Defense: 211.8 YPG

Week 17: (AWAY)Washington Redskins(4-5) 31st Overall Ranked Passing Defense: 286.6 YPG

Highlight Games of the Season:

Week 1 vs. Carolina: Four receptions for 75 yards and three touchdowns.

Week 5 @ Houston: 12 receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns.

Stat's as of (11/18/10):

56 Receptions for 735 yards and nine touchdowns

Nicks is tied for the most touchdowns in the league with Antonio Gates, Calvin Johnson, and Dwayne Bowe.  In only his second season, Nicks has shown tremendous potential.  If he can continue to play at the same caliber as he is now, an MVP trophy is very possible.

3. QB Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 07: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts in action against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 7, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Colts 26-24. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/G

Remaining Schedule:

Week 11: (AWAY)New England Patriots(7-2) 30th Overall Ranked Passing Defense: 277.8 YPG

Week 12: (HOME)San Diego Chargers(4-5) 3rd Overall Ranked Passing Defense: 185.2 YPG

Week 13: (HOME) Dallas Cowboys(2-7) 21st Overall Ranked Passing Defense: 232.0 YPG

Week 14: (AWAY)Tennessee Titans(5-4) 25th Overall Ranked Passing Defense: 247.7 YPG

Week 15: (HOME)Jacksonville Jaguars(5-4) 29th Overall Ranked Passing Defense: 272.3 YPG

Week 16: (AWAY)Oakland Raiders(5-4) 2nd Overall Ranked Passing Defense: 184.8 YPG

Week 17: (HOME)Tennessee Titans(5-4) 25th Overall Ranked Passing Defense: 247.7 YPG

Highlight Games of the Season:

Week 1 @ Houston: 40-57 for 433 yards, 3 TD's, 0 INT's, and a 109.8 QB Rating.

Week 2 @ NY Giants: 20-26 for 255 yards, 3 TD's, 0 INT's, and a 145.5 QB Rating

Stat's (as of 11/18/10):

248-386 for 2663 yards, 16 TD's, 4 INT's and a 93.9 QB Rating.

Peyton Manning is one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the NFL only having a losing record twice in his first and fourth seasons, throughout his 12 year career.  This year Manning has led the Colts to a 6-3 record, losing by only three points twice and 10 points the other time.  If Manning can outperform Brady this week with a badly injured Colts team, he will prove that he is the better quarterback.

2. QB Tom Brady, New England Patriots

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 14: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots waits in the tunnel to lead his team onto the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 14, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Remaining Schedule:

Week 11: (HOME)Indianapolis Colts(6-3) 10th Overall Passing Defense: 211.0 YPG

Week 12: (AWAY)Detroit Lions(2-7) 17th Overall Passing Defense: 222.8 YPG

Week 13: (HOME) New York Jets(7-2) 15th Overall Passing Defense: 217.1 YPG

Week 14: (AWAY) Chicago Bears(7-3) 12th Overall Passing Defense: 212.4 YPG

Week 15: (HOME) Green Bay Packers(6-3) 11th Overall Passing Defense: 211.8 YPG

Week 16: (AWAY) Buffalo Bills(1-8) 7th Overall Passing Defense: 206.8 YPG

Week 17: (HOME) Miami Dolphins(5-5) 6th Overall Passing Defense: 196.8 YPG

Highlight Games of the Season:

Week 3 vs. Buffalo: 21-27 for 252 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 INT's and a 142.6 QB Rating

Week 10 vs. Pittsburgh: 30-43 for 350 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 INT's and a 117.4 QB Rating

Stat's (as of 11/18/10): 196-304 for 2176 yards, 17 TD's, 4 INT's, and a 98.8 QB Rating.

No matter what you think of the guy, Tom Brady is one of the top quarterback's in the league every season.  In his last four games he has been superb, leading the Patriots to three wins and only one loss, throwing a combined seven touchdown and zero interceptions.  With a big game this week against Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, we'll get a better idea of who's the better quarterback.

1. QB Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 15: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on while waiting for a review to be completed against the Washington Redskins on November 15, 2010 at FedExField in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Remaining Schedule: 

Week 11: (HOME)New York Giants(6-3) 4th Overall Ranked Passing Defense: 187.2 YPG

Week 12: (AWAY)Chicago Bears(7-3) 12th Overall Ranked Passing Defense: 212.4 YPG

Week 13: (HOME)Houston Texans(4-5) 32nd Overall Ranked Passing Defense: 301.3 YPG

Week 14: (AWAY)Dallas Cowboys(2-7) 21st Overall Ranked Passing Defense: 232.0 YPG

Week 15: (AWAY)New York Giants(6-3) 4th Overall Ranked Passing Defense: 187.2 YPG

Week 16: (HOME)Minnesota Vikings(3-6) 9th Overall Ranked Passing Defense: 210.8 YPG

Week 17: (HOME)Dallas Cowboys(2-7) 21st Overall Ranked Passing Defense: 232.0 YPG

Highlight Games of the Season:

Week 3 @ Jacksonville: 17-31 for 291 yards, 3 TD's, 0 INT's, and a 119.2 QB Rating

Week 10 @ Washington: 20-28 for 333 yards, 4 TD's, 0 INT's, and a 150.7 QB Rating

Stat's (as of 11/18/10):

96-153 for 1350 yards, 11 TD's, 0 INT's and a 115.1 QB Rating

Michael Vick has been unbelievable this season, going 4-0 in games that he's played from beginning to end.  His performances have been nearly flawless throwing zero interceptions this entire season.