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Top 10 NFL MVP Candidates Heading Into Week 12

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By @fanforlife1988

Who Are The Top 10 MVP Candidates Heading Into Week 12?

Houston Texans v Dallas Cowboys, Tony Romo, Demarco Murray
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Considering a player is only as good as his team's success, winning a Most Valuable Player award is as much an individual honor as it is a team accolade. With less than a third of the 2014 NFL regular season left, cases can be made for a number of the best talents to be MVP. The top 10 candidates for the 2014 MVP award include five Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks and three-past award winners, but who tops the list heading into Week 12?

10. Russell Wilson - Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks v Kansas City Chiefs, Russell Wilson
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10. Russell Wilson - Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks v Kansas City Chiefs, Russell Wilson
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Things have not come as easy as they did last year for the defending champion Seattle Seahawks. Sitting at 6-4, the Seahawks' brightest spot has been third-year QB Russell Wilson, as the team would be nowhere near the playoff conversation without him. Wilson has limited his turnovers and continues to be a reliable threat to rush against the fiercest defenses the league has to offer. With six games left, they need him to turn it up a notch.

9. Philip Rivers - San Diego Chargers

Oakland Raiders v San Diego Chargers, Philip Rivers
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9. Philip Rivers - San Diego Chargers

Oakland Raiders v San Diego Chargers, Philip Rivers
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In his 11th season with the San Diego Chargers, Philip Rivers is as lethal as ever, ranking in the top 10 in passing yards, touchdowns and completion percentage. Rivers has also led the Chargers to a 6-4 record thus far this season, keeping them competitive in a tough AFC West. The Chargers will need Rivers at his best heading into the latter part of the season -- a time the quarterback has been notorious for playing his best in.

8. Ben Roethlisberger - Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers v Tennessee Titans, Ben Roethlisberger
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8. Ben Roethlisberger - Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers v Tennessee Titans, Ben Roethlisberger
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A two-time Super Bowl champion, Ben Roethlisberger is having one of his finer seasons as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Catapulted by a pair of historical six touchdown performances, Big Ben has led the Steelers to atop the AFC North. Despite never winning an MVP award, Roethlisberger is considered to be one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and with 24 touchdowns to only six interceptions this season, it's hard to argue against him.

7. JJ Watt - Houston Texans

Houston Texans v Cleveland Browns, JJ Watt
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7. JJ Watt - Houston Texans

Houston Texans v Cleveland Browns, JJ Watt
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JJ Watt immediately silenced any critics over his $ 100 million extension by playing the best football of his life. As the Houston Texans' defensive anchor, Watt has kept the team afloat in the AFC, and his career year is shaping up as one for the ages. A true MVP, Watt has done-it-all on the field, including: 9.5 sacks, four fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, two receiving TDs, one INT return TD and one fumble TD return.

6. Tony Romo - Dallas Cowboys

New York Giants v Dallas Cowboys, Tony Romo, Jason Garrett
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6. Tony Romo - Dallas Cowboys

New York Giants v Dallas Cowboys, Tony Romo, Jason Garrett
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Tony Romo has had one of his best years with the Dallas Cowboys, as he's gotten them off to one of their better starts in recent memory. Romo is second in the league in completion percentage, only behind Drew Brees, and proved his worth when he led the Cowboys into Seattle, defeating the Seahawks handily. Romo must remain healthy for the Cowboys to have a shot, as evidenced when they put up three points on offense against the Arizona Cardinals.

5. Andrew Luck - Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts v New York Giants, Andrew Luck
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5. Andrew Luck - Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts v New York Giants, Andrew Luck
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In just his third season, Andrew Luck is already considered to be among the best players in the NFL, as he leads the league in passing yards with 3,388. Luck is surprisingly mobile for his size, which has benefited his passing game as defenses have to respect his overall abilities. While the Colts are 6-4, Luck has been spectacular by making his receiving corps look better than they really are and keeping the team afloat despite injuries.

4. DeMarco Murray - Dallas Cowboys

New Orleans Saints v Dallas Cowboys, Demarco Murray
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4. DeMarco Murray - Dallas Cowboys

New Orleans Saints v Dallas Cowboys, Demarco Murray
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DeMarco Murray has been the NFL's top rusher this season, anchoring the Dallas Cowboys' offense as a result of his high-volume of carries. Murray has ran for seven touchdowns and 100 yards or more in nine of the team's first 10 games for a total of 1,233 overall. With high expectations out of Oklahoma, Murray has been an absolute stud, and if the Cowboys win the NFC East, expect the four-year pro to be in all MVP talks.

3. Peyton Manning - Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos v St. Louis Rams, Peyton Manning
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3. Peyton Manning - Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos v St. Louis Rams, Peyton Manning
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Perhaps the best quarterback to ever play the game, Peyton Manning has five MVP awards on his mantle already but is still in search of that elusive second Super Bowl championship. After having two record-breaking seasons with the Denver Broncos, Manning's numbers and his play have been a little more pedestrian this year, as he's thrown 30 TDs and nine interceptions. Despite recent struggles, Manning has Denver in the thick of things in the AFC.

2. Tom Brady - New England Patriots

New England Patriots v Indianapolis Colts, Tom Brady
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2. Tom Brady - New England Patriots

New England Patriots v Indianapolis Colts, Tom Brady
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Tom Brady, a two-time MVP, is on a mission to lead the New England Patriots to their fourth Super Bowl championship. Under coach Bill Belichick, the Patriots have done it all, but winning in Brady's latter years would be very special. Brady, now in his 15th NFL season, has not shown signs of slowing down, as evidenced by throwing 24 TD's to only five interceptions. Leading his team to the AFC's best record is why he's near the very top.

1. Aaron Rodgers - Green Bay Packers

Philadelphia Eagles v Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers
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1. Aaron Rodgers - Green Bay Packers

Philadelphia Eagles v Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers
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Looking for his second MVP award, Aaron Rodgers has led the Green Bay Packers back towards title contention with his most efficient season yet. With back-to-back 50-plus point performances, Rodgers and the Packers are hitting peak performance and are tied for first in the NFC North with the Detroit Lions. Rodgers' durability, complemented with fantastic numbers (28 TDs, 3 INTs, 66.8 Comp %) is why he tops the MVP rankings heading into Week 12.

Zach Fetaru is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @fanforlife1988 ”like him” on Facebook and add him to your network on Google. 

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