NFL MVP Race: Setting the Odds for the Top 5 Candidates

With only three weeks left in the 2010-11 NFL season, the race for MVP is now the topic of conversation, as well as the final push to the postseason.

Tom Brady, Michael Vick and Philip Rivers are among the favorites for this year's MVP award. It's a tight race in which the winner will not be decided until the final three weeks of the season are completed.  

Brady seems to be the favorite as of now, but anything could happen within the next few weeks.

Take a look at the top five candidates for the 2010-11 NFL MVP award, along with each player's odds to win this prestigious trophy.

* Odds according to www.Bodog.com

QB Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

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

2010 Stats

187-of-294, 63.6 CMP%, 2,513 yards, 17 touchdowns, four interceptions and a 104.3 QB rating

Remaining Schedule

Dec. 9 @ New York Giants (9-4)

Dec. 26 vs. Minnesota Vikings (5-8)

Jan. 2 vs. Dallas Cowboys (4-9)

Michael Vick: Odds to Win 2010 NFL MVP

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates as he walks off the field after the Eagles won 34-24 against the Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by

Odds to Win MVP: 7/2

In the very first week of the season, Michael Vick got his opportunity to play when Kevin Kolb left the game with a concussion at halftime. Ever since then he has been absolutely outstanding, earning the permanent starting quarterback role for the Philadelphia Eagles.

In the games that Vick has played from start to finish, he has recorded a total of seven wins and only one loss.

Andy Reid and the entire Eagles organization took a huge risk by signing the former convict but now look like a group of geniuses with Vick playing some of the best football of his entire career.

QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

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DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 12: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers leaves the field at halftime after leaving the game with a concussion while playing the Detroit Lions on December 12, 2010 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus

2010 Stats

268-of-410, 65.4 CMP%, 3,289 yards, 23 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and a 98.5 QB rating

Remaining Schedule

Dec. 19 @ New England Patriots (11-2)

Dec. 26 vs. New York Giants (9-4)

Jan. 2 vs. Chicago Bears (9-4)

Aaron Rodgers: Odds to Win 2010 NFL MVP

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 05: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers turns to hand off 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 I

Odds to Win MVP: 18/1

Aaron Rodgers is one of the top MVP candidates this season because of his leadership and consistency. Green Bay has one of the worst rushing games in the National Football League.

Without Rodgers at the quarterback position, the Packers would be nothing more than mediocre.

QB Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 12: Quarterbaqck Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers calls signals in the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Qualcomm Stadium on December 12, 2010 in San Diego, California. the Chargers won 31-0. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/

2010 Stats

290-of-439, 66.1 CMP%, 3,868 yards, 26 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a 103.1 QB rating

Remaining Schedule

Dec. 16 vs. San Francisco 49ers (5-8)

Dec. 26 @ Cincinnati Bengals (2-11)

Jan. 2 @ Denver Broncos (3-10)

Philip Rivers: Odds to Win 2010 NFL MVP

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers calls out a play against the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 28-13. (Photo by Jeff Gross

Odds to Win MVP: 10/1

With a fairly weak schedule ahead, Philip Rivers should be able to pad his stats and lead the San Diego Chargers to their fifth consecutive playoff appearance. Don't be surprised if the race for MVP becomes extremely close between Rivers and Tom Brady.

Rivers will be taking advantage of his weaker opponents for the remaining three weeks, likely to have multiple-touchdown performances in each outing.

QB Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 12: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams at the Louisiana Superdome on December 12, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Rams 31-13. (Photo

2010 Stats

362-of-525, 69.0 CMP%, 3,855 yards, 28 touchdowns, 18 interceptions and a 93.6 QB rating

Remaining Schedule

Dec. 19 @ Baltimore Ravens (9-4)

Dec. 27 @ Atlanta Falcons (11-2)

Jan. 2 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5)

Drew Brees: Odds to Win 2010 NFL MVP

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 05: Dree Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates after a touchdown 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 Ly

Odds to Win MVP: 16/1

Drew Brees has thrown a ton of interceptions this season but has still managed to lead his team to an extremely impressive 10-3 record.

Brees gives his absolute all every game, which is what he will certainly need to do the remaining three weeks of this season if he wants to finish off strong against some tough competition.

If Brees can come up with big performances against the Ravens in Baltimore, Falcons in Atlanta and Tampa Bay at home, then the 10-year pro out of Purdue may just win the Most Valuable Player award this season.

QB Tom Brady, New England Patriots

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 12: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks for a receiver against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots defeated the Bears 36-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

284-of-425, 66.8 CMP%, 3,398 yards, 29 touchdowns, four interceptions and a 109.9 QB rating

Remaining Schedule

Dec. 19 vs. Green Bay Packers (8-5)

Dec. 26 @ Buffalo Bills (3-10)

Jan. 2 vs. Miami Dolphins (7-6)

Tom Brady: Odds to Win 2010 NFL MVP

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)

Odds to Win MVP: 1/4

Tom Brady is the clear-cut favorite for MVP at this point in the season, putting on a clinic in the past few performances and absolutely embarrassing his opponents.

Brady has been seemingly flawless in his last eight outings, throwing a total of 19 touchdowns and zero interceptions. If Brady can continue to play with the confidence and tenacity he has of late, there is no doubt that he will be the NFL's Most Valuable Player of the 2010-11 season.