NFL: 5 Players Most Likely to Win the 2011 NFL MVP

Every year, a player is crowned the MVP of the National Football League. 

It is nearly always a quarterback or a running back, yet a placekicker (Mark Moseley) and a linebacker (Lawrence Taylor) have slipped in to win the award.

Anything is possible and no one quite knows how the season will turn out, yet here are five players who have a very good chance at winning the prestigious award of Most Valuable Player. 

(The last two picks may surprise you.)

5. Aaron Rodgers, QB

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers drops back against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Ima

By now, Aaron Rodgers is a household name. He is a Super Bowl MVP and probably the best quarterback in football right now. 

I don't believe in repeats, so I don't think Rodgers will win the league MVP award, as I expect the Packers to drop off a little bit, yet a player of Rodgers' caliber can never be ruled out. 

With the talent that surrounds him on Green Bay, he has the chance to put up huge numbers every week. 

4. Ben Roethlisberger, QB

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws an 8 yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward against the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jamie S

Big Ben Roethlisberger has never won the MVP award and part of me thinks he could be due. He has consistently proven that he is a winner who is capable of big things, yet he is usually marred by some off-the-field problem to start the season. 

If he can lead the Steelers to the Super Bowl after being suspended for the first four game of the season, who knows what he can do when he has nothing on his mind except football. 

3. Philip Rivers, QB

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DENVER - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers looks to deliver a pass against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 33-28. (Photo by Doug

I'm a Broncos fan, so I am no fan of Philip Rivers at all, yet that doesn't stop me from seeing and acknowledging the talent that he has. 

Statistically, he has been the best quarterback in the league over the past four seasons, yet the Chargers can never win the big games in the playoffs. 

Regardless of whether of not the Charges make another Super Bowl push, Rivers is always capable of a big season and could be an MVP. He narrowly missed it last season.

2. Josh Freeman, QB

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws the ball during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on January 2, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty

A lot of people may call me crazy for this one, but I really think that Josh Freeman is an elite quarterback. 

He quietly led a team of young players to a 10-6 record last season in Tampa Bay and was one of the league's most efficient quarterbacks. He threw 25 touchdowns and only six interceptions—that's amazing. 

If the Buccaneers can win the division and make the playoffs, I think it will be because of Freeman's play. That is why he will be MVP-worthy. 

1. Peyton Hillis, RB

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CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 26: Tailback Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball by linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Finally, the man of this year's Madden cover, Peyton Hillis. 

The Cleveland Browns are not a good team, but they are improving. If they are competitive this season, Hillis' contributions on offense could be good enough to be MVP-worthy. 

Hillis winning this award is a longshot; it's dependent on the Browns being good and him not entering a slump following his breakout year. 

I think he has what it takes, and if the stars align, it will be fun to see a running back win the league MVP award.