Top 5 NFL MVP Candidates After 8 Weeks
NFL's Top MVP Candidates Heading Into Week 9
Don't look now, but the 2013 NFL season is halfway over. It's sad, but it does give us the opportunity to now look at the playoff stretch run, which includes the final runs for individual awards. Bye weeks are playing a big factor in the fluctuation of lists like this because a week off can make everyone forget about a player who is firmly in the thick of the race, especially when single-game records are almost broken in incredible fashion.
Definitely the best thing about this week's list is the fact it's not dominated by quarterbacks. We have players from four different positions on the list and only two of the five are signal-callers, which means we actually pay attention to what's going on in the NFL instead of just pull the five quarterbacks with the most passing yards and/or touchdowns. In fact, it's not a stretch to think this might be the first year a wide receiver wins the award, or even a tight end. Of course, Peyton Manning will have something to say about that. And now we've said too much.
Here are the top five MVP candidates after eight weeks of play:
5. Jimmy Graham
Jimmy Graham was supposed to miss Week 8 with a torn plantar fascia, but he played and provided a huge boost for the surging Saints offense with two scores. He's one of the most dominant players in the league even at less than 100 percent.
4. Jamaal Charles
Jamaal Charles it quietly having another incredible season both on the ground and through the air and he's a huge reason why the Chiefs are the only undefeated team left in the NFL. It's time this Texas native got some love.
3. Drew Brees
Drew Brees continued to light up the scoreboard and the Saints won again. As long as those two things keep happening, he stays on this list.
2. Calvin Johnson
Calvin Johnson has surged up to our second spot after a 329-yard performance that carried the Lions to an improbable comeback win. Dude is legit.
1. Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning is still atop our list after another stellar outing that saw the Broncos score 38 straight points to turn a huge deficit into a blowout win. Oh, and Manning is still on pace to break every passing record in the books. Don't expect his spot on the list to change anytime soon.
