NFL MVP Race: Tom Brady, Michael Vick and the Top Candidates to Win MVP

Week 16 is upon us in the 2010 NFL season and the playoffs are right around the corner.

The 2010 season was filled with big plays, great games, and outstanding individual performances.

Tom Brady has led the Patriots to a 12-2 record and has had an incredible year, while Michael Vick has come back and been the most exciting player to watch in the league.

With the season coming to an end we must take a look back on all these great performances and decide who will walk away with the MVP award.

Here are the top candidates to win MVP.

Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 19: Wide receiver Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on December 19, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Current Statistics:

106 receptions

1,284 yards

8 touchdowns

Falcons wide receiver Roddy White has had an incredible season and is certainly a candidate to win MVP.

Despite a wide receiver never winning the MVP in the NFL, White must be taken into account.

White is first in the NFL in receptions, receiving yards and targets. No. 84 is having a career season and should be considered for Most Valuable Player.

Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after watching a replay during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Georgia Dome on November 28, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Current Statistics:

3,321 yards

25 touchdowns 

9 interceptions

90.5 quarterback rating

Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Matt Ryan is having a spectacular year and has the Falcons as the team to beat in the NFC.

Ryan has made big plays all season long and has the Falcons thinking about their first Super Bowl appearance since 1999.

Ryan is currently ranked sixth in the NFL in touchdown passes and is proving he was worthy of being a first-round pick in 2008.

Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 09: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass during the NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on December 9, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Colts won 30-28. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Current Statistics:

4,257 yards

28 touchdowns

15 interceptions

92.1 quarterback rating

How can we have the MVP conversation without mentioning Peyton Manning? Manning is a favorite to win MVP every season because he is indeed the most valuable player to his team.

Manning has played in an unfamiliar situation this season because the Colts have uncharacteristically struggled.

The Colts are currently 8-6 and tied with the Jaguars in the AFC South.

Manning has managed to have a great season despite plenty of injuries on the Colts roster.

Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 28: Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers celebrates after a touchdown during the NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Current Statistics:

4,141 yards

29 touchdowns

11 interceptions

105.7 quarterback rating

Despite a 2-5 start by the San Diego Chargers, Philip Rivers has managed to bring them all the way back to 8-6.

The Chargers are one game back of the Chiefs and it is primarily due to the outstanding play from Rivers.

Rivers is amongst the league leaders in all statistics for quarterbacks and is definitely one of the favorites to win MVP.

Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 21: Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans runs the ball against the New York Jets on November 21, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Current Statistics:

1,345 yards

13 touchdowns

60 receptions

550 yards

What an incredible year the second-year man out of Tennessee is having.

Arian Foster has been outstanding this year, leading the NFL in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. 

Foster has been a threat on the ground and also as a receiver with 60 receptions.

This guy can simply do it all and is a strong candidate to bring home the NFL MVP award.

Michael Vick, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

Nick Laham/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles against the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 19, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Current Statistics:

2,755 passing yards, 613 rushing yards

20 passing touchdowns, 8 rushing touchdowns

5 interceptions

103.6 quarterback rating

Was it possible for Michael Vick to be a better player when he returned to the NFL?

The answer is yes and Vick has been incredible for the Eagles this season.

Vick has performed at a high level all season long with 28 total touchdowns, including one of the greatest single-game performances of the year in Week 10 against the Washington Redskins.

If Vick wins MVP, he certainly deserves it.

Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots

Elsa/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates a touchdown scored by running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis #42 (not pictured) against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter of the game at Gillette Stadium on

Current Statistics:

3,561 yards

31 touchdowns 

4 interceptions

109.9 quarterback rating

What more can one say about Tom Brady?

Brady is the front-runner for MVP and rightfully so. No. 12 has been spectacular this season, leading the league in touchdowns while throwing just four interceptions.

Brady has been better off without Randy Moss and the Patriots have returned to their Super Bowl-winning form.

It should come down to Brady and Vick, but when all is said and done, Brady will walk away with his second MVP award.