NFL MVP Race: Troy Polamalu, Michael Turner and the 10 Non-QB MVPs of 2010

The NFL MVP Award is probably a two-man race between Michael Vick of the Philadelphia Eagles and Tom Brady of the New England Patriots.

But, as always, there are other players who don't play quarterback who deserve to be named NFL MVP.

On this list, I've eliminated players whose teams aren't contending for a playoff spot. I also included defensive players, since they could theoretically be NFL MVP and not just Defensive MVP.

Players like Troy Polamalu and Michael Turner are just as important as the quarterbacks of their respective teams, but they receive less attention.

So, here's where the non-quarterbacks of the NFL will receive some love. I present to you the top 10 non-QB MVPs of 2010.

10. Devin McCourtey, CB, New England Patriots

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DETROIT - NOVEMBER 25: Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots celebrates a fourth quarter interception while playing the Detroit Lions on November 25, 2010 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. New England won the game 45-24. (Photo by Gregory Sha

McCourtey is just a rookie, but he's having a huge impact on the Patriots' secondary.

He has six interceptions, 77 tackles, a forced fumble and a sack.

Though the Pats' defense gives up a lot of yards through the air, they always seem to make a big play when it counts. McCourtey is a big part of that.

9. Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, New York Giants

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 05: Ahmad Bradshaw #44 of the New York Giants runs the ball against the Washington Redskins on December 5, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Redskins 31-7. (Photo b

Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs have formed a potent running back duo for most of this season.

Bradshaw has been the most consistent, though, as Jacobs had a stretch in which he was fighting with coaches and ended up on the bench.

Bradshaw stepped up during that time and has amassed 1,182 rushing yards and six touchdowns this season.

He'll need to have a big game this Sunday in Green Bay if the Giants hope to make the playoffs.

8. DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: DeSean Jackson #10 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)

Michael Vick is the MVP of the Philadelphia Eagles, but Jackson is also a pretty important piece to the Eagles' puzzle.

Not only is the speedy wide receiver a home run threat on every play, he's also a very dangerous punt returner, as the Giants found out on Sunday.

As a wide out, Jackson has 1,024 yards and six touchdowns this year.

7. Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons

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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)

The Falcons' offense is clicking on all cylinders this season.

A big part of that is the play of quarterback Matt Ryan. But, Ryan is only having this good of a season because Roddy White is living up to his potential and becoming the best wide receiver in the league.

So far this season, White has 1,284 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches.

If he can keep up his high level of production in the playoffs, the Falcons could be heading to the Super Bowl.

6. Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

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ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 19: Jamaal Charles #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks to get by Craig Dahl #43 of the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on December 19, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Chiefs beat the Rams 27-13. (Photo by Dilip Vishwana

The Chiefs have the best running game in the NFL this year with Charles and Thomas Jones.

Charles has been the leader of the K.C. ground game, though, racking up 1,303 yards and five touchdowns on the ground this year.

The Chiefs are in a great position to win the AFC West, and come playoff time, a good ground game gives a team a huge advantage.

5. Clay Matthews, LB, Green Bay Packers

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GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 03: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers awaits the start of play against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on October 3, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Lions 28-26. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Im

Matthews has been battling a shin injury recently, but he's still managed to stay productive.

When he's fully healthy, he's one of the best pass rushers in the league.

So far this season, Matthews has accrued 12.5 sacks, 53 tackles, a forced fumble and an interception.

The Packers need him to get pressure on the quarterback these next two weeks, or they'll see their playoff chances vanish.

4. Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

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ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 19: Dwayne Bowe #82 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs up field after catching a pass against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on December 19, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Chiefs beat the Rams 27-13. (Photo by Dilip V

For the first couple years of his career, Bowe had a problem with drops and inconsistent play.

He seems to have put those problems behind him this season, as he leads the NFL with 14 touchdown catches.

He's also amassed 941 receiving yards and should crack the 1,000-yard mark this season.

He's been valuable to the Chiefs as a go-to guy for Matt Cassel to throw to in the red zone.

3. Troy Polamalu, S, Pittsburgh Steelers

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 14: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers watches the game against the New England Patriots from the bench during the game on November 14, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Imag

The Steelers' defense just isn't scary when Polamalu isn't playing.

He sat out last Sunday against the Jets and the Steelers allowed 22 points in a loss.

So far this season, No. 43 has six interceptions, 62 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble.

Just having him on the field makes opposing quarterbacks uneasy and makes the Steelers' defense one of the most feared in the NFL.

2. Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons

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SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 19: Running back Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons rushes against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on December 19, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

As I said before, the Falcons' offense is clicking on all cylinders this season.

But, in order to open up a passing game for Matt Ryan and Roddy White, you need a solid running back.

Michael Turner is exactly that.

He's run for 1,256 yards and 11 touchdowns so far this season, as the Falcons march towards the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

1. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 12: Maurice Jones-Drew #32 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs for yardage during the game against the Oakland Raiders during the game at EverBank Field on December 12, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Gett

MJD is the reason the Jaguars are alive in the playoff hunt this year.

Yes, David Garrard has played well at quarterback, but the ground game is the bread and butter in Jacksonville.

Jones-Drew has run for 1,324 yards and five touchdowns so far this season.

He was rendered ineffective last week against the Colts, so he'll need to have a big bounce-back game this week if the Jags are going to keep the pressure on Indy.

But, without MJD, the Jaguars are a 4-12 team. Therefore, he's the non-QB MVP for the 2010 NFL season.