NFL Week 13: Tom Brady and The Top 10 MVP Candidates

After the New England Patriots’ 45-3 thrashing of the upstart New York Jets, only four weeks remain in the NFL regular season.

So at this point in the season, who are my 10 leading MVP candidates? 

Has there been the same amount of parity in the individual contests as there has been for the teams vying for those 12 precious playoff spots? Only  one of the NFL’s eight divisions sees a team with more than a one-game cushion as we head down the stretch, and that is the very surprising Kansas City Chiefs.

As for the individuals, is there a clear front-runner for the award, or lots of very strong candidates?

Here is my Top 10 as we stand, heading into Week 14.

Will Patriots quarterback Tom Brady repeat as No. 1 ?  Has anyone played his way into (or out of) my Top 10, which debuted last week?

This analysis is based on more of a "should win, as of now" than a "will win" perspective.

Please have a look.

A Look at Past MVPs

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 28: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts waits for a play to come from the sidelines during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Chargers won 3

Surveying the Associated Press MVP award, it is clear from studying the last 11 votes that quarterbacks are the clear favorites for the award. And if it's not a quarterback, then a running back is likely to win.

Three running backs have won the award since 1999: Marshall Faulk in 2000, Shaun Alexander (remember him?) in 2005 and LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006.

Otherwise, Kurt Warner has won it twice, Peyton Manning three-and-a-half times with the other half going to the late Steve McNair, and Rich Gannon and Tom Brady have both taken home the hardware.

Are you looking for a wide receiver? Well, keep looking. The incomparable Jerry Rice took home most of the postseason awards in 1987, but lost the AP vote to John Elway.

That's about it for the last 50 years, and the only offensive player other than a quarterback or a running back to take home the award since 1970 was Mark Moseley (a placekicker) in the strange 1982 season.

If you're looking for a defensive player, you won't see too much here.

The original LT, Lawrence Taylor, garnered the award in 1986, and Alan Page, a far superior citizen, did so in 1971.

All this does not suggest that I am only looking at QBs and RBs, but the NFL is increasingly a quarterback's league, and any realistic list should reflect that.

Some Honorable Mentions

Nick Laham/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 05: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings rushes against the Buffalo Bills at the Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on December 5, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Imag

No, you won’t see Albert Haynesworth, even here, although a dishonorable discharge from the Redskins may happen any week now.

The vaunted Peyton Manning does not even deserve a place here, after the great Colts quarterback has led his team to three straight defeats, while throwing 11 interceptions— four of them returned for touchdowns.

It is hard to pick a defensive player unless he really stands out from the pack.  Some of the more impactful defensive players so far have been the Giants' defensive linemen Osi Umenyiora (nine sacks and eight forced fumbles) and Justin Tuck (nine and six), the Steelers’ linebacker James Harrison (10 and six) and Asante Samuel (a league-leading seven interceptions). Packers’ backer Clay Mathews is tied for the NFL lead with 12 sacks, but has not registered any in his last two games.

Running backs that fell just short of my quarterback-laden Top 10, but deserve praise include: Peyton Hillis (Browns), Steven Jackson (Rams), Michael Turner (/Falcons) and the new, fumble-free Adrian Peterson (Vikings).

I was keeping my eye on two impressive second-year quarterbacks who had huge tests this past week that neither of them passed: Josh Freeman (Bucs) couldn’t quite get it done, and the Jets’ Mark Sanchez had a very tough night at the office.

Do keep your eye on Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers) and David Garrard (Jags) to possibly make a Top 10-run.

So, who did make the Top 10?

Onward...

10. Jay Cutler (Bears)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 28: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears looks for a receiver against of the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field on November 28, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Eagles 31-26. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Last Week’s Ranking: NA

Last Game: 21-26 (80.8%) for 234 yards, TD in a 24-20 win over Detroit.

I’m still not Cutler’s biggest fan but he has improved his play in somehow leading the Chicago Bears to a 9-3 record.

Da Bears have won five straight and their sometimes erratic signal caller has played well during this stretch.

9. Matt Cassel (Chiefs)

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs in action during the game against the Denver Broncos on December 5, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Last Week’s Ranking: 9

Last Game:  17-31 (54.8%) for 196 yards and a touchdown in a 10-6 snooze-fest win over the Broncos.

He did not play a great game last week, and I don’t think he’s a great quarterback, but he’s doing something right.  Cassel is certainly getting the job done this year for those 8-4 Chiefs, who are now leading the AFC West by two games over both the Raiders and Chargers.

Cassel is more of a game manager (he only averages 209 yards per game through the air) but has been remarkably mistake-free this year, throwing 23 touchdowns while only yielding four picks.

If the Chiefs shock everyone and hold off the Chargers and Raiders to win the AFC West, he should at least merit Top 10 consideration this year.

8. Dwayne Bowe (Chiefs) and Roddy White (Falcons)—tie

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - NOVEMBER 21: Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons stiff arms Jerome Murphy #23 of 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 Ima

Last Week’s Ranking: tied for 10^th

Last Game(s):  Bowe was shut out last week versus the Broncos in their win

White caught seven passes for 74 yards in the win over Tampa Bay.

Okay, I still have trouble deciding between these two, so they are still sharing a spot. This is not an exact science.

Bowe may have been blanked by the Broncos, but those league-leading 14 touchdowns (eight in his preceding four games) still impress me.

White is having a monster season for what is essentially a running team. He leads the NFL in receptions and is second in yards for the 10-2 Falcons.

7. Arian Foster, Jamaal Charles and MJD (Tie)

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 05: Maurice Jones-Drew #32 of the Jacksonville Jaguars smiles as his team runs out the clock against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field on December 5, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Jaguars won 17-6. (Phot

Last Week’s Ranking: 8 (Jones-Drew was added this week)

Last Games: Foster (Texans): 22 carries for 83 yards (3.8 ypc), TD; two catches for 26.

Charles (Chiefs): 21 for 116 (5.5 avg), 2 catches for 20

Jones-Drew (Jags): 31 for 186 (6 ypc). 1 catch for 4 yards

Houston's Arian Foster still leads the league in rushing yards (1230) and touchdowns (13), and does so with an average of 5.0 yards per carry. He's also a very reliable target out of the backfield and ranks high among running backs with 50 receptions for 479 yards.

Jamaal Charles ranks third in rushing yards with 1,137, a number achieved with only 182 carries. His 6.2 yards-per-carry average looks like a misprint for an NFL back.

Jones Drew, the little workhorse, is coming on strong for the division-leading Jaguars, and moved up   to second place in the NFL with 1,177 yards.

Now, onto the quarterbacks.

6. Drew Brees (Saints)

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 05: Dree Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints throws a pass during the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Saints won 34-30. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Image

Last Week’s Ranking: 6

Last Game: 24-29 (82.8%) for 313 yards, two TDs and one Int in a 34-30 win at Cincinnati.

Believe it or not, Drew Brees is actually throwing for more yards per game this year than in his magical 2009 campaign, and I would have voted for him to win the MVP last year.

But, and these are big buts (that's one "t", thank you), his yards per attempt is way down this year, and his INTs are way up.

Having said that, Brees is the unquestioned leader of a 9-3 team that has won its last five games. They have no running game to speak of, but No. 9 is starting to heat up for the stretch run. Brees’ 25 TD passes rank him second behind Mr. Brady.

5. Philip Rivers (Chargers)

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers is seen dejected on the sideline in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2010 in San Diego, California. T

Last Week’s Ranking: 2

Last Game: 23-39 (59%) for 280 yards, one TD and one INT in a 28-13 loss to the Raiders.

Rivers slid a few places after the disappointing home loss to the Raiders. But his excellent season—he is almost solely responsible for keeping the Chargers in contention at 6-6—should not be ignored. He has been the glue for a team that could have easily fallen apart without his leadership.

The sixth-year quarterback, who really came into his own in 2008-09, is having his best year, especially when you consider that he has done so while missing Gates for a few games and getting no playing time from Jackson, a co-favorite target.

The Chargers' passing attack is second in the NFL in yards per game, and Rivers has the third-highest passer rating, behind Tom Brady and Michael Vick. Rivers continues to throw for a high completion percentage (65.5 percent) and a bunch of touchdowns (24) while limiting his interceptions (10). He leads the league in yards per attempt (8.8).

4. Matt Ryan (Falcons)

J. Meric/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Last Week’s Ranking: 5

Last Game: 18-36 (50%) for 205 yards, two TD and two INT in a 28-24 win over the Bucs

Matty Ice, as he is affectionately known, did not have a great game statistically versus Tampa Bay, but he did shake off a subpar outing to lead his team to the comeback victory.

And statistically, he's much more solid than spectacular. Ryan does not wow you; he just wins games, and seldom makes a crucial mistake.

Still, I think of him as more than a game manager, as he does have a penchant for making the right read and the right throw at the right time.

Being the star QB of the NFC-leading 10-2 Falcons does not hurt his case.

3. Aaron Rodgers (Packers)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 05: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers throws a pass against the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field on December 5, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the 49ers 34-16. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Image

Last Week’s Ranking: 4

Last Game: 21-30 (70 %) for 298 yards and three TDs in a 34-16 win over the 49ers. He also carried four times for 39 yards. Another brilliant performance even while sporting that interesting throwback uni.

Rodgers is as talented as anyone at the position today, with the exception of my second-ranked candidate, and he does so many things to keep his team competitive. He’s big, mobile, strong-armed, accurate and a good leader. (Otherwise, I’m not much of a fan.)

Rodgers has kept the Pack together during an injury-plagued season, and his team (a trendy preseason pick to take the NFC) are in contention to win the NFC North, with a big showdown with the Bears looming to close the regular season at Lambeau.

With no running game and lots of injuries to his supporting cast (which is not that great to begin with), Rodgers is putting up terrific numbers passing and even running the ball himself when it all breaks down.

2. Michael Vick (Eagles)

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 15: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with team mate Mike McGlynn #77 after throwing his teams first touchdown against the Washington Redskins on November 15, 2010 at FedExField in Landover, Maryland. (Photo b

Last Week’s Ranking: 3

Last Game: 22 for 33 (66.7%) for 302 yards, two TDs and one Int. Vick also ran 10 times for 49 yards and one touchdown.

There's not much new that I can tell you about Vick and his remarkable comeback season. He's throwing the ball exceptionally well, and he has lots of weapons to choose from. When things break down, or sometimes by design, he is still one of the scariest—if not the scariest—open-field runner(s) in the league, from any position.

Vick leads all quarterbacks in rushing yards and ranks just behind Tom Brady in passer rating.

One thing he'll need to protect against is the amount of fumbles he's prone to. He has fumbled nine times in the equivalent of half a season, although his team has only lost one. Having said that, one admires his warrior’s spirit on the field.

And, now for Number One…

1. Tom Brady (Patriots)

Elsa/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates after BenJarvus Green-Ellis #42 scored a 5-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachu

Last Week’s Ranking: 1

Last Game: 21 for 29 (72.6%), 329 yards and four touchdowns in the 45-3 MNF clubbing of the Jets.

The late great Don Meredith (We miss you, Danderoo!) may have started singing his patented, “Turn out the Lights…” in the second quarter last night.

Brady put on a clinic in frigid Foxborough, hitting four different receivers for touchdowns and decimating a usually dominant Jets defense.

While Vick, Rodgers and others are having great years, this performance put Brady well ahead of the pack on my mythical ballot.

Brady now leads the NFL with 27 touchdowns and has done so with only four picks. Put it this way: Whether you give him Randy Moss, Deion Branch or Rob Gronkowski, the guy just wins, baby.

With his 10-2 record, Brady now is tied for eighth in all-time with 107 wins. He is knotted with Terry Bradshaw, who had a 107-51 record, and a quite impressive .677 win-loss percentage leading those great Steel Curtain teams. 

Brady, you ask? How about 107-32, for a .770 percentage. One can make a case that he's the greatest winning quarterback of the modern era, and he's doing his thing again this year.

Brady retains my top spot on this week’s Power Ranking of the Top 10 MVP candidates.

Stay tuned for next week's update, as things change rapidly in today's NFL.

Your thoughts??? Please fire away below.

For more information on Matt Goldberg’s new books, other writings and appearances, please e-mail: [e-mail]