Ranking the NFL's Top 10 MVP Contenders

More than halfway through the NFL season, a select few MVP candidates are separating themselves from the pack.

Some field generals are on pace to break records, and some playmakers are lifting their franchises into playoff contention. Where does each contender rank in the MVP race?

A true Most Valuable Player is one whose impressive performance propels his team to success; he also is the most important and most irreplaceable player on his squad. The NFL usually bestows this award on the most prolific player on a winning team.

Here are the top 10 NFL MVP contenders heading into Week 11.

10. DeMarcus Ware

Sure, a defensive player won't even come close to winning the MVP this season (or in this era, for that matter). But DeMarcus Ware earns a spot on this list because of his dominant presence for the Cowboy defense.

With 13 sacks already, Ware is on pace for a phenomenal season.

But his impact can't be quantified or expressed in mere statistics. He makes offenses constantly adjust and focus their attention on him. He is the key piece that makes their 3-4 defense tick.

The Cowboys need Ware to continue his onslaught for them to make an impressive run down the stretch. He's is one of the most fearsome pass rushers of the decade, and Dallas' defense would lose its bite without him.

9. Fred Jackson

If the Buffalo Bills can regain their early-season swagger and make the playoffs, Fred Jackson will get some consideration for the MVP award.

He leads the NFL in rushing and has already racked up more than 1,300 all-purpose yards. Jackson has been a dynamic dual-threat for Buffalo and is on pace for almost 1,700 yards rushing and 600 yards receiving. 

Not only is Jackson an all-around reliable back, he's got the big-play potential that the Bills have been missing for years. He ripped off an 80-yard run earlier this season, and he had a streak of eight straight games with at least one 20-yard scamper.

Buffalo's playoff hopes are looking bleaker, but it's Fred Jackson's success that had Bills fans hoping in the first place.

8. Wes Welker

New England Patriots wideout Wes Welker has been responsible for more offensive production than any other receiver in the NFL. The 5'9" firecracker can line up anywhere on the field and is a dangerous first down machine.

Welker has been targeted 100 times, caught 72 passes and chewed up 1,006 yards so far this season. He leads the league in each of those categories and is on pace to break the NFL record for receiving yardage.

More importantly, Welker is the receiver Tom Brady trusts to keep the chains moving and keep drives alive. His 44 first downs lead the AFC, and he constantly has opposing defenses on their heels.

He may not be tall, but he has had a mammoth impact for New England in 2011.

7. Ray Rice

A different "Ray" may be the poster boy for the Baltimore Ravens, but running back Ray Rice is the reason John Harbaugh's squad is afloat.

Rice is a piston who can run between the tackles or turn it loose on the outside. But the most lethal aspect of his game is his pass-catching ability. He already has more than 1,100 all-purpose yards, and 470 of those are receiving yards.

His stock has fallen recently with a few less-than-spectacular games, but his impact and value to the Ravens can't be denied.

Prime example: Rice inexplicably got just 13 total touches last week, and the Ravens scored 17 points and lost. If Baltimore wants to stay atop the AFC North, they would be wise to increase their weekly dosage of Rice.

He probably won't finish in the top 5 of the voting; but if the Ravens win the division and he gets 1,000 yards rushing and 800 receiving, he should get some consideration.

6. Matt Forte

Matt Forte is another dual-threat running back who's taking his team to the next level. Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz has relied on him to be the focal point of the offense, and he has shouldered the load with 869 rushing yards and 439 receiving yards.

He had a down game Sunday against Detroit, but if he gets back in his groove and Chicago continues to win, he will be in the MVP conversation.

Forte is not the goal line back, so he doesn't score many touchdowns, but without him they wouldn't be in position to score too often.

His blend of power, speed and receiving skills give him a chance to torch defenses every time he touches the ball, which is why he's such an asset to the Bears.

5. Tom Brady

The New England Patriots haven't been invincible this season, but Tom Brady is doing everything in his power to ensure that they capture another AFC East crown.

It was a tough call to place Brady this high in the rankings because he's thrown an uncharacteristic amount of interceptions this season, but his production is just too high to ignore.

After nine games, he has already eclipsed 3,000 yards passing. Almost every week he puts up video game numbers to put his team in a position to win.

The Patriots defense has not been up to par this season, so it's been more important than ever for Brady to deliver the goods each week.

There are two moments this season that highlight how good he still is. First, the two-minute drill comeback to stun Dallas showed that he is still a clutch assassin. Then this past weekend against the New York Jets, when he displayed his ruthlessness in carving up a division rival on the road.

4. Calvin Johnson

Matthew Stafford is doing a great job quarterbacking the Lions' return to legitimacy, but the Lions' MVP candidate is Calvin Johnson, the most thrilling receiver in the NFL.

With his size, agility and exceptional hands, "Megatron" has made life fun for Stafford and company. He is a highlight reel waiting to happen, and there is no receiver quite like him in the game today.

Johnson has the stat line to back up the ballyhoo: through nine weeks, he has 54 receptions for 885 yards and 11 touchdowns. In addition, he's piled up 303 yards after the catch and converted 43 first downs.

It's extremely difficult for defenses to prevent him from making big plays. The Lions know this, and they'll keep throwing to him in the pursuit of their first playoff berth since 1999.

3. Eli Manning

Eli Manning? Third on this list? You're kidding, right?

No joke. Manning is the leader of the top team in the NFC East and is one of the only players who has a chance to take down Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in the playoffs.

The Giants lost wideout Domenik Hixon for the season and have gotten inconsistent contributions from the running game, so they've relied on Manning to raise his level of play.

He has been up to the challenge and is having one of the best seasons of his career. 

His completion percentage of 63.1 and his 97.0 passer rating are career highs, and as of right now, the New York Giants are in the driver's seat in their division. If Manning continues to produce and the Giants' success persists, he'll be one of the top MVP candidates.

2. Drew Brees

New Orleans Saints signal caller Drew Brees is cementing himself as one of the best quarterbacks of his generation, right up there with Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.

Brees directs a Saints offense that has scored 313 points so far, which is 101 more than the next closest AFC South team. He spreads the ball around to all his receivers, knows how to get the most out his teammates and wins ballgames.

He leads the NFL with 3,326 passing yards and has already racked up 23 touchdowns. However, the most impressive aspect of his game might be his efficiency. He's attempted the most passes in the league by far, but maintains a sterling 70.9 completion percentage.

Brees is the total quarterback package: excellent football IQ, playmaking capability and leadership.

1. Aaron Rodgers

The Green Bay Packers are rolling at 9-0. Aaron Rodgers has an outrageous 130.7 passer rating.

I think that qualifies him to be the undisputed NFL MVP.

Rodgers has the Packers offense outgunning every opponent they face. He maximizes the potential of the talent that surrounds him, and the Packers have topped 40 points in four different games this season.

There's not a throw on the field that he can't make, and thus far, there's not a team he can't beat. Rodgers leads the league in touchdowns (28), completion percentage (72.9) and passer rating (130.7), but most importantly, his team leads the league in wins.

He is far and away the Most Valuable Player in the NFL.