Tim Tebow and the Top 5 Dark-Horse MVP Candidates

It is inevitable that Aaron Rodgers is going to win the 2011 NFL MVP.

The reigning Super Bowl MVP's potentially record-breaking season doesn't just include monster numbers, but his Packers are 13-0 and a legitimate threat to complete the regular season undefeated.

He and his team have certainly had their close calls, but Rodgers' performance this season is on another level.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is putting up some phenomenal numbers as well and if not Rodgers, he'd be leading the MVP race himself.

And, because we're accustomed to this type of greatness, Tom Brady is slightly overlooked as well.

While the three of them continue to dominate opponents and lead their respective teams to victory after victory, there are some dark-horse candidates that deserve to be recognized even if they don't deserve to win.

Here are five players that deserve MVP consideration.

Tim Tebow, QB, Broncos

The race for the NFL MVP may belong to Aaron Rodgers, but the popularity contest belongs to Tebow.

And whether you love or hate the Broncos QB (how can you honestly hate this guy?) you cannot deny that he wins football games.

The Broncos have quickly turned from a 1-4, no-shot-at-the-postseason team to an 8-5 leader of the AFC West.

Tebow has an uncanny knack for letting the game go down to the wire, but that is when he plays his best.

Numbers don't matter, words don't do justice and nothing is ever pretty. But in the end, Tebow's winning football games and that is all that matters.

Eli Manning, QB, Giants

The Giants are only 7-6 on the season, but Eli Manning has been brilliant all season long. He's carried his offense—which features the league's worst rushing attack—and he's carried his defense, which has forced him to make six fourth quarter comebacks this year.

In the midst of all that he is one of four quarterbacks with over 4,000 yards passing, is completing 62-percent of his passes, has thrown 25 touchdowns to 12 interceptions and has the best fourth quarter numbers of any quarterback in the league.

Last night he led the Giants to 15 points in three minutes and they ultimately saved their season with a come-from-behind win against the Cowboys.

No lead is safe when Eli is on the field and the Giants would be a two or three win team without him.

Terrell Suggs, OLB, Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens are getting older at the linebacker position and dealing with some injury issues as well.

That hasn't stopped Terrell Suggs.

He leads the league's No. 3 total defense and has the Ravens sitting at 10-3 atop the AFC North—and in position for a potential No. 1 seed in the AFC.

Suggs has 13 sacks, seven pass deflections, two interceptions and six forced fumbles.

He's a one-man wrecking crew and arguably the best defensive player in the league this year.

Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots

Rob Gronkowski doesn't just lead all tight ends in receiving touchdowns, he leads everyone in receiving touchdowns.

The second-year Patriot has 71 receptions on the season for over 1,000 yards and a tight end record 15 touchdowns.

Oh, and there are still three more games to go in the regular season.

He's also one of the best blockers at his position and a truly complete tight end.

He makes life as easy as possible for Tom Brady and although his QB will earn more votes, the Gronk at least earned some consideration.

Jared Allen, DE, Vikings

Jared Allen plays for the hapless 2-11 Minnesota Vikings, but he silently leads the league in sacks and is still one of the most disruptive players in the league.

His secondary is absolutely atrocious and it's surprising he even has enough time to get to the quarterback as often as he does.

Allen's 17.5 sacks are tops in the league and five short of Michael Strahan's single-season record.

He's also forced and recovered four fumbles, deflected four passes, intercepted one pass and forced one safety.

If the Vikings could actually win football games, he'd be getting a lot more recognition.