NFL

Power Ranking the Top 10 NFL MVP Candidates After Week 6

Fresh Videos

By @ConnorFultonRS

Power Ranking the Top 10 NFL MVP Candidates After Week 6

Andrew Luck Indianapolis Colts
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The 2014 NFL season is a month and a half old already, if you can believe it. The MVP race is starting to come into picture with the most promising quarterback of this generation leading the pack. Here are the top 10 NFL MVP candidates after Week 6.

10. Darren Sproles

Darren Sproles Philadelphia Eagles
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

10. Darren Sproles

Darren Sproles Philadelphia Eagles
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

On Sunday Night Football, Cris Collinsworth went so far as to say that Darren Sproles has single-handedly won a few games for the Philadelphia Eagles this season. In addition to averaging 6.6 yards per carry and leading the Eagles in rushing touchdowns, Sproles has reached pay dirt in the punt return game while averaging 15.6 yards per return. His contributions have undoubtedly helped lift the Eagles to 5-1.

9. Steve Smith

Steve Smith Baltimore Ravens
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

9. Steve Smith

Steve Smith Baltimore Ravens
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Steve Smith leads the Baltimore Ravens in every receiving category — he is currently on pace for 93 receptions, 1,528 yards and 11 touchdowns. What could put the veteran into the MVP conversation is if the Ravens earn a top-two seed while being fueled by Smith’s receiving production.

8. Matthew Stafford

Matthew Stafford Detroit Lions
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

8. Matthew Stafford

Matthew Stafford Detroit Lions
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Matthew Stafford’s chances at earning MVP are slim, but could increase if he is able to take the Detroit Lions to new heights in the form of a high playoff seed. In particular, if Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush continue to miss time, Stafford could make a case that he is playing at an elite level without those superstars.

7. Tom Brady

Tom Brady New England Patriots
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

7. Tom Brady

Tom Brady New England Patriots
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

All of a sudden, the whole “Brady in decline” narrative doesn’t hold much weight. In the past two weeks, Brady has racked up 653 yards, six touchdowns, and no picks while completing nearly 70 percent of his passes. It’s pretty clear that as Brady goes, so does this New England Patriots team, so if the Patriots run the table (or close to it), he could be looking at a third career MVP trophy.

6. Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning Denver Broncos
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

6. Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning Denver Broncos
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Peyton Manning holds a slight advantage over Brady in the current state of the MVP race simply because of his toy box. Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders will continue to produce on a weekly basis. It’s easy to get caught up in the video game stats that Manning posts, but remember: the guy is 38, and he is due for the same week of hell that Brady endured.

5. Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

5. Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Unlike Brady and Manning, Aaron Rodgers is peaking right now, and that alone puts him in serious contention for the MVP award. But unlike Philip Rivers and Andrew Luck, Rodgers has tasted the trophy itself and knows exactly what it takes to earn it. It will be interesting to see how far Rodgers can take this Green Bay Packers team that has been one of the league’s most puzzling squads in 2014.

4. J.J. Watt

J.J. Watt Houston Texans
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

4. J.J. Watt

J.J. Watt Houston Texans
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Sustained dominance on the defensive side of the ball cannot be ignored, even in this age of the aerial attack. J.J. Watt is arguably the NFL’s best overall player; he gives his team major contributions week in and week out. It will just be a matter of whether or not the NFL wants to don the league’s highest honor to a player who doesn’t impact fantasy football.

3. DeMarco Murray

DeMarco Murray Dallas Cowboys
Tim Heltman-USA TODAY Sports

3. DeMarco Murray

DeMarco Murray Dallas Cowboys
Tim Heltman-USA TODAY Sports

The production we are seeing out of DeMarco Murray through the first month and a half of the regular season is astounding. Six consecutive 100-yard games? That hasn’t been achieved since 1958, and it was by some guy named Jim Brown. Rest assured, if Murray eclipses the 2,000-yard mark, he will have this award in the bag.

2. Philip Rivers

Philip Rivers San Diego Chargers
Robert Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

2. Philip Rivers

Philip Rivers San Diego Chargers
Robert Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Philip Rivers is having the same type of season he had last year: nearly 70 percent completion rate, 290 yards per game, and a top-notch touchdown-interception ratio. The only difference is that the San Diego Chargers are winning just about all the time, stand tallest in most power rankings, and have the inside track on the AFC’s top seed. If you haven’t paid attention to Rivers before, now is the time.

1. Andrew Luck

Andrew Luck Indianapolis Colts
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

1. Andrew Luck

Andrew Luck Indianapolis Colts
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Without a doubt, Andrew Luck is the most legitimate contender for MVP. Not only does he lead the league in passing, but also he has the means to continue the strong play. T.Y. Hilton is quickly becoming a top-tier receiver, Reggie Wayne brings veteran dependability, and Coby Fleener is as familiar with luck as anybody. A division title is probably all Luck needs to secure the honor.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on