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Power Ranking Top 10 NFL MVP Candidates Heading Into Week 17

Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

As we head into the final week of the 2015 NFL season, these 10 players have shone above the rest and must be mentioned in every MVP conversation.

Timothy Downs is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. You can ‘like him’ on Facebook add him on Google or follow him Twitter @Tidow1212

10. DeAndre Hopkins - WR - Houston Texans

DeAndre Hopkins - WR - Houston Texans Getty Images
The Houston Texans have started four different quarterbacks this season, most of whom who are average at best. However, despite the inconsistency under center, WR DeAndre Hopkins has put forth an otherworldly effort in 2015. Hopkins has tallied 104 receptions (third in NFL), 1,432 receiving yards (third in NFL) and 11 TDs (tied for fourth in NFL). Put simply, Hopkins has carried Houston's offense this season, and he deserves MVP consideration. He began the season with 100/1 odds.

The Houston Texans have started four different quarterbacks this season, most of whom who are average at best. However, despite the inconsistency under center, WR DeAndre Hopkins has put forth an otherworldly effort in 2015. Hopkins has tallied 104 receptions (third in NFL), 1,432 receiving yards (third in NFL) and 11 TDs (tied for fourth in NFL). Put simply, Hopkins has carried Houston's offense this season, and he deserves MVP consideration. He began the season with 100/1 odds.

9. Julio Jones - WR - Atlanta Falcons

Julio Jones - WR - Atlanta Falcons Getty Images
Don't let the Atlanta Falcons' second-half collapse trick you into thinking WR Julio Jones doesn't deserve to be in the MVP conversation. Jones is first in receptions (127), first in yards (1,722) and has a solid eight TDs. The Falcons would likely be a five-win team at best without Jones' intimidating presence out wide. He began the season with 50/1 odds.

Don't let the Atlanta Falcons' second-half collapse trick you into thinking WR Julio Jones doesn't deserve to be in the MVP conversation. Jones is first in receptions (127), first in yards (1,722) and has a solid eight TDs. The Falcons would likely be a five-win team at best without Jones' intimidating presence out wide. He began the season with 50/1 odds.

8. Brandon Marshall - WR - New York Jets

Brandon Marshall - WR - New York Jets Getty Images
Brandon Marshall's first season with the New York Jets has been the type that legends are made of. Marshall's tallied 101 receptions (fifth in NFL), 1,376 receiving yards (fifth in NFL) and an astronomical 13 TDs (tied for second in NFL). The Jets control their own playoff destiny in Week 17, and much of the credit should be directed Marshall's way. He began the season with 100/1 odds.

Brandon Marshall's first season with the New York Jets has been the type that legends are made of. Marshall's tallied 101 receptions (fifth in NFL), 1,376 receiving yards (fifth in NFL) and an astronomical 13 TDs (tied for second in NFL). The Jets control their own playoff destiny in Week 17, and much of the credit should be directed Marshall's way. He began the season with 100/1 odds.

7. Antonio Brown - WR - Pittsburgh Steelers

Antonio Brown - WR - Pittsburgh Steelers Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Steelers still have a chance to make the playoffs in Week 17 despite being without Le'Veon Bell for most of the season and playing without Ben Roethlisberger at times. Antonio Brown has kept Pittsburgh's offense afloat in 2015, tallying 123 receptions (second in NFL), 1,647 receiving yards (second in NFL) and a solid nine TDs. Brown began the season with 50/1 odds.

The Pittsburgh Steelers still have a chance to make the playoffs in Week 17 despite being without Le'Veon Bell for most of the season and playing without Ben Roethlisberger at times. Antonio Brown has kept Pittsburgh's offense afloat in 2015, tallying 123 receptions (second in NFL), 1,647 receiving yards (second in NFL) and a solid nine TDs. Brown began the season with 50/1 odds.

6. Aaron Rodgers - QB - Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers - QB - Green Bay Packers Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Rodgers has not played like the NFL's reigning MVP in 2015, but that doesn't mean he doesn't belong in the conversation. Rodgers deserves plenty of credit for leading an overrated team to the playoffs, as he's masked an incredible amount of Green Bay's weaknesses with his stellar campaign. Rodgers hasn't thrown for an overwhelming amount of yards (3,530), but he's sixth in passing touchdowns with 30 to just seven INTs. Rodgers began the season as the favorite with 6/1 odds.

Aaron Rodgers has not played like the NFL's reigning MVP in 2015, but that doesn't mean he doesn't belong in the conversation. Rodgers deserves plenty of credit for leading an overrated team to the playoffs, as he's masked an incredible amount of Green Bay's weaknesses with his stellar campaign. Rodgers hasn't thrown for an overwhelming amount of yards (3,530), but he's sixth in passing touchdowns with 30 to just seven INTs. Rodgers began the season as the favorite with 6/1 odds.

5. Russell Wilson - QB - Seattle Seahawks

Russell Wilson - QB - Seattle Seahawks Getty Images
The Seattle Seahawks' pass attack struggled mightily in the first half of the 2015 campaign. But Russell Wilson has put forth a legendary effort over the past six weeks, and the Seahawks are headed to the playoffs after looking like anything but a winning team early on this season. Wilson's tallied an excellent 4,368 total yards (3,827 passing, 541 rushing) and a solid 32 total touchdowns (31 passing, one rushing), which is a stat line that no one thought was possible in October. Wilson began the season with 50/1 odds.

The Seattle Seahawks' pass attack struggled mightily in the first half of the 2015 campaign. But Russell Wilson has put forth a legendary effort over the past six weeks, and the Seahawks are headed to the playoffs after looking like anything but a winning team early on this season. Wilson's tallied an excellent 4,368 total yards (3,827 passing, 541 rushing) and a solid 32 total touchdowns (31 passing, one rushing), which is a stat line that no one thought was possible in October. Wilson began the season with 50/1 odds.

4. Adrian Peterson - RB - Minnesota Vikings

Adrian Peterson - RB - Minnesota Vikings Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
After essentially missing the entire 2014 campaign while mired in controversy, Adrian Peterson has come back with a vengeance in 2015. Peterson is first in rushing yards (1,418) and second in rushing touchdowns with 11. Put simply, Minnesota's offense couldn't function properly without Peterson's overwhelming presence, and he deserves a gargantuan amount of credit for the Vikings making the playoffs. He began the season with 12/1 odds.

After essentially missing the entire 2014 campaign while mired in controversy, Adrian Peterson has come back with a vengeance in 2015. Peterson is first in rushing yards (1,418) and second in rushing touchdowns with 11. Put simply, Minnesota's offense couldn't function properly without Peterson's overwhelming presence, and he deserves a gargantuan amount of credit for the Vikings making the playoffs. He began the season with 12/1 odds.

3. Carson Palmer - QB - Arizona Cardinals

Carson Palmer - QB - Arizona Cardinals Getty Images
No one thought Carson Palmer was capable of playing like an MVP at 35 years old, but that's exactly what's occurred in 2015. Palmer's fourth in passing yards (4,542), third in passing touchdowns (34) and the Arizona Cardinals are legitimate Super Bowl contenders at 13-2 thanks to his unfathomable showing. He began the season with 200/1 odds.

No one thought Carson Palmer was capable of playing like an MVP at 35 years old, but that's exactly what's occurred in 2015. Palmer's fourth in passing yards (4,542), third in passing touchdowns (34) and the Arizona Cardinals are legitimate Super Bowl contenders at 13-2 thanks to his unfathomable showing. He began the season with 200/1 odds.

2. Tom Brady - QB - New England Patriots

Tom Brady - QB - New England Patriots Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Tom Brady's played some of the best football of his illustrious career at 38 years old in 2015. Brady's first in passing yards (4,636), first in passing touchdowns (36) and the New England Patriots are 12-3 despite dealing with an overwhelming amount of injuries, particularly on offense. Brady's been amazing this season, but someone else has been better. Brady began the season with 20/1 odds.

Tom Brady's played some of the best football of his illustrious career at 38 years old in 2015. Brady's first in passing yards (4,636), first in passing touchdowns (36) and the New England Patriots are 12-3 despite dealing with an overwhelming amount of injuries, particularly on offense. Brady's been amazing this season, but someone else has been better. Brady began the season with 20/1 odds.

1. Cam Newton - QB - Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton - QB - Carolina Panthers Getty Images
Cam Newton has led an offense devoid of top-tier talent to a 14-1 record thus far with his unbelievable campaign. Newton's tallied an impressive 4,170 yards (3,544 passing, 626 rushing) and leads the NFL with an astronomical 41 total touchdowns (33 passing, eight rushing). Newton's the clear-cut favorite as we head into Week 17. He began the season with 50/1 odds.

Cam Newton has led an offense devoid of top-tier talent to a 14-1 record thus far with his unbelievable campaign. Newton's tallied an impressive 4,170 yards (3,544 passing, 626 rushing) and leads the NFL with an astronomical 41 total touchdowns (33 passing, eight rushing). Newton's the clear-cut favorite as we head into Week 17. He began the season with 50/1 odds.

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