The NFL MVP race is getting warmer with each passing week. The five candidates from last week were Tom Brady, Matt Ryan, Michael Vick, Peyton Manning, and Philip Rivers, respectively. There is a bit of a shake-up at the bottom of the rankings this week. Tom Brady had a dominant performance, putting up a perfect rating in a win over the Lions. Matt Ryan had a very efficient game in a win over a tough Packers squad. Michael Vick finally threw his first interception of the season in a loss to the Bears. Philip Rivers helped lead the Chargers in a rout over the Colts. Drew Brees enters the top five as Peyton Manning and the Colts keep losing.
The Rankings
1. Tom Brady: 9-2 record, 2,703 yards passing, 66.3%, 23TD, 4INT, 15 sacks, 1 fumble lost, 105.8 rating. Tom had a 4TD performance on Thanksgiving, which led to a perfect rating of 158.3.
2. Matt Ryan: 9-2 record, 2,715 yards passing, 64.7%, 19TD, 5INT, 17 sacks, 3 fumbles lost, 94.4 rating. Matt helped lead the Falcons to an impressive win over the surging Packers.
3. Michael Vick: 5-2 record, 1,941 yards passing, 63.4%, 13TD, 1INT, 22 sacks, 1 fumble lost, 106.0 rating, 419 yards rushing, 5TD. Like in other weeks, he hasn’t played enough games to be any higher on my list. He’s also been very fortunate, as he’s lost only one of his eight fumbles. This past week, he lost to the Chicago Bears.
4. Philip Rivers: 6-5 record, 3,362 yards passing, 66.2%, 23TD, 9INT, 25 sacks, 3 fumbles lost, 104.9 rating. Rivers didn’t have to do a whole lot in the win over the Colts, but he was very efficient.
5. Drew Brees: 8-3 record, 3,321 yards passing, 68.6%, 23TD, 15INT, 15 sacks, 1 fumble lost, 92.7 rating. He makes the list because he’s responsible for the Saints’ success.
On the bubble: Peyton Manning, Roddy White, Aaron Rodgers, Jamaal Charles, Josh Freeman
