NFL Week 14: Tom Brady, Mike Vick and the Top 10 MVP Candidates

Week 14 is now in the books.

What exactly caused Matt Schaub to throw 62 passes last night? When a quarterback completes 31 passes, you don’t really expect him to have 31 other passes hit the ground.

But, I digress.

What follows is the third weekly installment of my list of the Top 10 MVP candidates.

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

So, will the Patriots’ Tom Brady repeat as our leader in the clubhouse?

Hint: Brady threw for 369 yards and two touchdowns in a Chicago blizzard, thrashing the Bears 36-7 in the process. He’s probably safe.

But are there any new candidates emerging?  

Did anyone from last week play (or sit) themselves off the list this time around?

Read on, my friends.

A Quick MVP History

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

4 Oct 1998: Wide Receiver Jerry Rice #80 of the San Francisco 49ers attempts to catch the ball in front of Ken Irvin #27 of the Buffalo Bills during a game at the Bills Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills defeated the 49ers 26-21. Mandatory Cred

In reviewing the Associated Press MVP award for the last 11 years, it is clear that quarterbacks are the 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 (pictured) 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 that strange, strike-shortened 1982 season.

If you're looking for a defensive player, step away: there's little to see 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 Cuts and Honorable Mentions

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PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 21: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers lines up before the snap during the game against the Oakland Raiders on November 21, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Let’s get the cuts out of the way first:

The first was easy, even if I pass on the obvious pun (sort of). Bears' quarterback Jay Cutler found his way to the No. 10 spot last week, and celebrated by completing 12 of 26 passes for 152 yards and two interceptions at home while getting destroyed by the Patriots. Goodbye, Jay!

The Chiefs’ Dwayne Bowe is still leading the NFL with 14 touchdown receptions, but after two quiet weeks, he’s off my list (he had been tied for No. 8). But I can’t feel too bad for him when better receivers like Andre and Calvin Johnson, and the electric DeSean Jackson have not found a place here.

And, sorry Chiefs fans, but Jamaal Charles (although I love his game and his insane 6.1 yards-per-carry) was taken off my triumvirate of running backs.

But hey, Matt Cassel kept his spot at No. 9, and he didn’t even play in the 31-0 loss to the Chargers—maybe that’s why.

In all honesty, I wish I could find a spot for a defensive player, and the Steelers’ big-play safety Troy Polamalu is now getting close. There are other defensive players having big years, but not that one show-stopper—in my eyes.

And I’m also looking to find spots for quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Josh Freeman, to say nothing of some running backs, including; Charles, Michael Turner, Adrian Peterson and LeSean McCoy.

So, who did make the Top 10?

10. Arian Foster (Texans)

Al Bello/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans runs the ball in the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles won 34-24. (Photo by Al Bello/

Last Game

20 carries for 100 yards (easy math) and four catches for 25 yards in a loss to the Ravens.

Season

266 carries for 1330 yards (the same 5.0 ypc) and 13 touchdowns; 54 receptions for 504 yards (9.3 yards-per-catch) and two TDs.

Comment

It's not his fault that his Texans are a disappointing 5-8 this year.  He is leading all NFL running backs in rushing yards and touchdowns. He shouldn't "foster" any of the blame here.

Let's move on.

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 Game

Cassel sat out the loss to the Chargers with an appendectomy; may play this week.

Season

212-354 (59.9 percent), 2503 yards (7.1 Y/A) 23 TDs, four INTs.

Comment

Cassel was sorely missed in the 31-0 defeat at the hands of the desperate Chargers.

Cassel's numbers don't wow you other than his 23-4 touchdown:interception ratio, and his 8-4 record as the starting quarterback for the surprising Chiefs.

Good enough for No. 9 for now, but he must stay healthy and his team needs to keep winning to retain his residence on this list.

8. Roddy White (Falcons)

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 12: Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Last Game

Eight receptions for 79 yards (9.9 ypc) in a win over Carolina. 

Season

99 receptions for 1219 yards, and seven touchdowns.

Comments

White is having a monster season for what is essentially a running team. He leads all NFL wide receivers in receptions and yards for the 11-2 Falcons.

Are there better wideouts in the NFL? 

Perhaps a few, but none of them is having a better season than White in service of a winning team.

7. Maurice Jones-Drew (Jaguars)

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 12: Maurice Jones-Drew #32 of the Jacksonville Jaguars breaks the tackle of Travis Goethel #50 of the Oakland Raiders during the game at EverBank Field on December 12, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Ge

Last Game

23 carries for 101 yards (4.4 ypc), one TD, with three catches for 19 yards in a win over the Raiders. 

Season

284 carries for 1278 yards (4.5 ypc) with five TDs;  32 receptions for 295 yards (9.2 ypc) and two TDs. 

Comments

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

6. Aaron Rodgers (Packers)

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 12: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers throws a second quarter pass while playing the Detroit Lions on December 12, 2010 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Last Game

(Before suffering a concussion in the first half in a loss to the lowly Lions) 7-11 (63.6 percent) for 46 yards and one INT.  He also carried twice for 25 yards.

Season

268-410 (65.4 percent), 3289  yards (8.0 Y/A) 23 TDs, 10 INTs.

Comments

Although Rodgers slid from No. 3 to No. 6, it's not a knock on his play whatsoever, but it is a fact that the Packers have lost two straight to fall to 8-5.

His pick last week was a perfectly thrown pass that should have made him 8-11 for over 100 yards and a TD.

Rodgers is as talented as anyone at the position today (with the possible exception of Michael Vick),  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 still in contention to win the NFC North.

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.

5. Matt Ryan (Falcons)

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 12: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Last Game

20-34 (58.8 percent) for 227 yards, one TD and one INT in a win over Carolina.

Season

300-475 (63.2 percent) for 3289 yards (6.6 Y/A) 22 TDs, eight INTs

Comments

Statistically, Matty Ice has not wowed anyone the last couple weeks, but the 11-2 Falcons just keep rolling.

The man has a knack for winning football games, which is a good trait for an NFL Franchise QB.

4. Drew Brees (Saints)

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 05: Dree Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints gives instructions to his team 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

Last Game

25-40 (62.5 percent) for 221 yards, three TD and two INT in a win over the Rams.

Season

362-525 (69 percent) for 3855 yards (7.34 Y/A) 28 TDs, 18 INTs

Comments

Don't go to sleep on the depending Super Bowl champion Saints, or their star QB.

The Saints (10-3) have won six straight, and is there any team in the NFC that much better?

Brees is, somewhat under the radar, having another strong year, and is third in the NFL in passing yards and second in touchdown throws.

3. Philip Rivers (Chargers)

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers laughs as he talks to linebacker Mike Vrabel #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs at Qualcomm Stadium on December 12, 2010 in San Diego, California. the Chargers won 31-0. (Photo

Last Game

18-24 (75 percent) for 226 yards, two TDs and one INT in a win over the Chiefs.

Season

290-439 (66.1 percent) for 3868 yards (8.8 Y/A) 26 TDs, 11 INTs

Comments

Rivers moved up a couple places after leading the Chargers to a crucial win over the first-place Chiefs. Although the win raised the Chargers' record to only 7-6, he is almost solely responsible for keeping the Chargers in contention. 

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 (66.1 percent) and a bunch of touchdowns (26) while limiting his interceptions (11). He leads the league in yards per attempt (8.81).

2. Michael Vick (Eagles)

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles drops back to pass against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Last Game

18-24 (75 percent) for 226 yards, two TDs and one INT in a win over the Cowboys. He rushed eight times for 16 yards and one TD.

Season

189-294 (63.6 percent) for 2513 yards (8.5 Y/A) 17 TDs, 11 INTs passing; 82 rushes for 483 yards (5.97 ypc) and seven touchdowns.

Comments

The most talked-about player in the NFL continues to play well, and his (9-4) Eagles continue to win to keep pace with the Giants heading into their showdown next week.

As the Eagles played before the Giants, actually the Eagles set the pace. 

Many pundits question whether the relatively smallish quarterback can keep up his pace after absorbing a pounding every week, both in the pocket and in the open field.

Time will tell, but so far, so good.

While he has thrown a few picks in recent weeks—well, he's only human —I'm not sure that adjective applies to our No. 1 MVP candidate.

1. Tom Brady (Patriots)

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 12: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots passes against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots beat the Bears 36-7. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Last Game

27-40 (67.5 percent) for 369 yards, two TDs in a win over the Bears.

Season

284-425 (66.8 percent) for 3398 yards (8.0 Y/A) 29 TDs, four INTs

Comments

Neither frigid conditions nor a ferocious Bears' defense playing at home could slow Brady or his high-flying Patriots, who stand at 11-2.

I'm running out of superlatives to describe Brady, who is arguably the greatest winning quarterback in modern NFL history.

And no offense to Wes Welker and company, but who exactly is he surrounded by?

Brady and company had so thoroughly destroyed the Jets last week that I could have forgiven a down game or two before even thinking about elevating Vick, Rivers or another leading candidate to No. 1.  

So, Tom easily 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...Thanks for reading.

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