NFL MVP Watch Week 11: Philip Rivers Joins Brady, Vick and Manning in the Race

NFL week 11 is only two days away, with just enough time to talk about the race for this year's MVP.

Within the past two weeks, we have seen two quarterbacks make their case for deserving the league's top individual award. The campaign for Michael Vick began a week ago when the Eagles defeated the Washington Redskins.

One week later, Philip Rivers might have established himself as a contender for MVP, as he is on pace to break multiple regular season records.

Who is currently the leader for MVP in the 2010 NFL season? Today, I am taking a look at who is rising and who is falling between the five contenders for this year's award.

Matt Miselis is an NFL Featured Columnist for BleacherReport.com. Follow me on twitter: twitter.com/MattMiselis .

5. Matt Ryan

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ST. LOUIS - NOVEMBER 21: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons passes against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on November 21, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Falcons beat the Rams 34-17. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Don't look now, but Matt Ryan is emerging as a darkhorse contender for the league MVP.

Ryan has currently thrown for 18 touchdowns, and is very accurate with the ball, as he has only thrown five interceptions. More importantly, he is leading arguably the best team in the NFC in the Atlanta Falcons.

In recent weeks, Ryan received recognition for bringing his Atlanta team to victory, with a minute left, over the Baltimore Ravens.

If the success continues, we should begin to here more of Matt Ryan's name when discussing this years MVP.

4. Philip Rivers

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SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 22: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers in action against Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium on November 22, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

After Monday night's performance against the Denver Broncos, Philip Rivers has entered the MVP race in 2010.

Rivers continues to not only make himself one of the better quarterbacks in the league this season, but is on the verge of breaking many regular season records held by quarterbacks.

The seven year quarterback has thrown for 3177 yards, 23 touchdowns and only nine interceptions. The San Diego Chargers are beginning their late season surge, and Rivers is receiving all of the recognition for the team's success.

3. Peyton Manning

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FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 21: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts looks at the clock in the second half during a game against the New England Patriots reacts in the second half at Gillette Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Ph

Peyton Manning continues to be in the race for NFL MVP year after year, with this season being no different. However, I am one who believes his stock dropped a bit this past weekend.

Sure, Manning is putting up great numbers once again. Peyton has passed for 3059 yards, 20 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. What we fail to recognize though are the recent losses the Colts have endured.

Manning has lost to both Tom Brady and Michael Vick, who are legitimate contenders for the league's top honor.

His team also sits tied for first in the AFC South with a Jaguars team they lost to early on in the season. Manning will have a great chance of winning the award because of the reputation he has received throughout his NFL career.

2. Michael Vick

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after defeating the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

The bandwagon continues to get bigger for those who believe Michael Vick deserves to be MVP. I, for one, am a believer of Vick, who makes the Eagles a threat in the NFC.

Despite missing three full games, Michael Vick has 11 touchdowns with the biggest number being 0 interceptions.

His ability to be accurate as a passer and a threat as a runner puts him a good position for the award if the success continues. Another accomplishment he has is already defeating one contender for the MVP in Peyton Manning.

1. Tom Brady

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FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 21: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts after a missed opportunity in the second half at Gillette Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Tom Brady is the leading candidate for NFL MVP after ten weeks of the 2010 season.

Brady is leading the Patriots to a surprise record of 8-2 and tied for the best record in football. Despite losing Randy Moss early on in the season, Brady continues to hook up with his younger weapons and makes them effective.

He defeated his rival Peyton Manning last Sunday, improving his chances for the league's top honor even more.