NFL Preseason Schedule 2011: How the Preseason Will Shake up MVP Race

While most NFL fans consider the preseason useless, the truth is, you can learn a lot from the decisions made during the preseason. Simple things like run-pass ratio and the winners of certain position battles can have an impact on things like the MVP race.

According to Bodog, the top six players in the race for the MVP are all quarterbacks. That illustrates how important the passing game is in today's NFL and that the common cliché of “run and stop the run” doesn't hold as much weight anymore.

Here are the top five candidates to win the Most Valuable Player Award after two weeks of exhibition play. Notable players who didn't make the list include Peyton Manning and Drew Brees.

Nationally televised games for Week 3 of the preseason:

Day and Time (all EDT)	Away Team	Home Team	Channel
Thursday, 8 p.m.	Washington Redskins	Baltimore Ravens	ESPN
Friday, 8 p.m.	Green Bay Packers	Indianapolis Colts	CBS
Saturday, 8 p.m.	New England Patriots	Detroit Lions	CBS
Sunday, 8 p.m.	New Orleans Saints	Oakland Raiders	NBC

5. Tony Romo

Tony Romo returned from a collarbone injury and has looked completely healthy. That's the main reason he has moved up into the top five. He leads an offense that should rely more on the pass this season, with Felix Jones serving as a great option out of the backfield.

Romo has no shortage of options. Miles Austin and Dez Bryant should both be working against single coverage most of the time, especially with Jason Witten working the middle of the field. Romo's chances would be bolstered if Dwayne Harris wins the third wide receiver job and adds another deep threat to the offense.

There is so much pressure on the Dallas Cowboys quarterback that he doesn't usually get as much credit as he deserves when he plays well. That should change in 2011 after the fans see how much the offense changed without him leading the charge.

Week -- Date	Opponent	Result/Time
1 -- Aug. 11	vs. Denver Broncos	Won, 24-23
2 -- Aug. 21	vs. San Diego Chargers	Lost, 20-7
3 -- Aug. 27	at Minnesota Vikings	8 p.m. EDT
4 -- Sept. 1	at Miami Dolphins	7:30 p.m. EDT

4. Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers led the Green Bay Packers to a Super Bowl triumph last season, but that means he is overvalued in the 2011 MVP race. While the Green Bay offense likes the share the wealth, the weapons might not be there for Rodgers to win an MVP.

Greg Jennings is a solid receiver and will likely see coverage shaded his way, meaning he will need another receiver to step up to ensure his production. If Jermichael Finley can stay healthy for the entire season, he's a good weapon as well.

The problem comes in behind those two on the target list. Jordy Nelson, Donald Driver and James Jones are all going to have to step up if Rodgers has legitimate MVP hopes. The most worrisome might be Driver, who is nearing the end of his productive seasons in the league.

Week -- Date	Opponent	Result/Time
1 -- Aug. 13	at Cleveland Browns	Lost, 27-17
2 -- Aug. 19	vs. Arizona Cardinals	Won, 28-20
3 -- Aug. 26	at Indianapolis Colts	8 p.m. EDT
4 -- Sept. 1	vs. Kansas City Chiefs	8 p.m. EDT

3. Michael Vick

Michael Vick is the most dynamic quarterback in the league; there is no doubting that. His unmatched combination of a rocket arm, explosive legs and terrific agility make him the type of athlete every kid dreams of being, but what does that mean in the MVP race?

Unfortunately, it means that he's a lot more likely to get hurt. If Vick wasn't so injury prone and therefore highly likely to miss games, he would be the top choice for the league's top individual honor. That just isn't the case, however, which hurts his chances.

Assuming Jeremy Maclin is able to return to full health by opening day, the Eagles have all the weapons Vick needs to be successful. If the Eagles could be a little less predicable with their play calling (aka DeSean Jackson play action bomb on the first play every game), Vick's case will only get even stronger.

Week -- Date	Opponent	Result/Time
1 -- Aug. 11	vs. Baltimore Ravens	Won, 13-6
2 -- Aug. 18	at Pittsburgh Steelers	Lost, 24-14
3 -- Aug. 25	vs. Cleveland Browns	7:30 p.m. EDT
4 -- Sept. 1	at New York Jets	7:30 p.m. EDT

2. Philip Rivers

Philip Rivers is the third best quarterback in the league right now, behind only Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Sadly, if you only pay attention to the national media, that statement is probably a bit shocking. He doesn't get nearly the credit he deserves from the network talking heads.

He is able to produce eye-popping numbers without the benefit of a world class group of receivers, and he's as durable as they come. A lot of people don't understand that he would have crushed Dan Marino's passing yards record if he was in a more pass-happy offense.

The return of Malcom Floyd helped to solidify Rivers' spot in the top five, and a full season of Vincent Jackson will help too. If he can get a full season out of the Antonio Gates, Rivers will continue to put up awe-inspiring numbers and hope the media actually notices this time.

Week -- Date	Opponent	Result/Time
1 -- Aug. 11	vs. Seattle Seahawks	Lost, 24-17
2 -- Aug. 21	at Dallas Cowboys	Won, 20-7
3 -- Aug. 27	at Arizona Cardinals	10 p.m. EDT
4 -- Sept. 1	vs. San Francisco 49ers	10 p.m. EDT

1. Tom Brady

The defending winner of the award is the favorite once again 2011. The addition of Chad Ochocinco, who appeared to be on the same page as Brady in their limited snaps together in the second preseason game, will only help Brady maintain his elite status.

Brady threw 36 touchdowns last season. That led the NFL and would have made him a strong contender for the award. However, it was the fact that he threw only four interceptions that closed the deal. To find the next quarterback with four or less interceptions, you have to go all the way down to 10-touchdown Vince Young.

Brady has a plethora of receiving options once again and, although he may throw a few more interceptions, should have no problem topping 35 touchdowns again. Perhaps the most important thing for his chances is that Bill Belichick lets him run up the score, unlike other coaches who take the foot off the gas in blowouts.

Week -- Date	Opponent	Result/Time
1 -- Aug. 11	vs. Jacksonville Jaguars	Won, 47-12
2 -- Aug. 18	at Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Won, 31-14
3 -- Aug. 27	at Detroit Lions	8 p.m. EDT
4 -- Sept. 1	vs. New York Giants	7:30 p.m. EDT