Nine weeks of the NFL season are complete, and the MVP picture is starting to take shape. We've narrowed down the candidate list, although someone not on this list can still make a run. It's not just stats and wins that determine the MVP, although those are incredibly important. It's also how much a player means to their team and how drastic the drop-off would be if the player in question were to miss time. Players like Tony Romo and Ben Roethlisberger weren't considered. They are incredibly valuable, but I can't put them on here until they return from injury. It's a QB-drive league, and that position is feature plenty on this list. Raiders QB Derek Carr also just missed out. With that in mind, here the NFL MVP Power Rankings after nine weeks.
10. Julio Jones, WR, Falcons
I strongly considered Matt Ryan here, especially since it's a QB-based league and Jones has slowed down slightly over the past few weeks. Still, Jones' production this year has been great. He's caught 80 passes for 1,029 yards and 6 TDs. He's done this despite being banged up the past few games.
9. Todd Gurley, RB, Rams
Gurley really doesn't have much of a chance to win this award because he missed the first several games. However, this offense is so much better with him on the field. He's torched every defense he's faced and is averaging over 110 yards per game. He's been a complete beast and is worthy of at least some recognition.
8. Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings
Peterson leads the NFL with 758 rushing yards, which is insane giving that he's 30 years old and essentially sat out last season. The Vikings offense runs through him and he's a huge reason for their success. However, he should work on his fumbling issues. He's tied for the league-lead with four.
7. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Texans
Hopkins is the highest non-QB on this list and for good reason. He pretty much IS the Texans' offense. He's the only true threat for Houston and has still managed to reel in 66 catches for an NFL-high 870 yards and 6 TDs. He's been targeted at least 11 times in every game. Hopkins is highly unlikely to win MVP, especially given the Texans' record, but is worthy of an appearance.
6. Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers
Rivers is the only reason the Chargers have hung around in games this season. He's attempted a whopping 390 passes, yet has completed 69 percent of them in a one-dimensional offense. He's already eclipsed the 3,000 yard mark and has 19 touchdowns against 7 INTs. The Chargers can not run the ball, so opposing teams known Rivers is going to throw it a ton and yet still can't stop him. If the Chargers were winning, he'd be higher on this list.
5. Carson Palmer, QB, Cardinals
We saw what happened last season to the Cardinals without Palmer. He's the most important part of the team, and they'd be in serious trouble without him. This season, Palmer is completing 64.6 percent of his passes for 2,386 yards, 20 TDs and 6 INTs. If Palmer continues to play well, and the Cardinals continue to win, he'll be a staple in the Top 5.
4. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
Rodgers is without several offensive weapons and is still producing a great season. He's completing 64.7 percent of his passes, with 19 TDs, 3 INTs and 1,937 yards. The losses hurt Rodgers' MVP chances, but he's still a contender.
3. Cam Newton, QB, Panthers
There might not be a QB in the NFL who has done so much with so little this year. Newton completing 53.7 percent of his passes for 1,820 yards, 14 TDs and 9 INTs isn't impressive. Adding 343 yards and 5 scores on the ground helps, but it's not the biggest reason Newton makes this list. Newton has almost nothing around him and still has the Panthers undefeated. TE Greg Olsen is a weapon, but that's the only true threat Newton has. The rest of his WRs are castoffs, unless Devin Funchess can get going soon. Newton's offensive line is just awful, too. If Newton played on a team with better weapons or offensive line, his stats would be much higher.
2. Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals
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Yes, I am serious about this. Dalton has had issues in the past and I understand that some won't trust him until he proves himself in the playoffs, but Dalton deserves this ranking. He's in the midst of his best season, completing 67.4 percent of his passes for 2,226 yards, 18 TDs and 4 INTs. Sure, his supporting cast is among the best in the NFL, but Dalton has played great this season. If the Bengals continue to win, and Dalton avoids the disastrous games that have plagued him in the past, he'll be a serious MVP contender.
1. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
Brady has proved "Deflategate" should have been a non-issue and that he is the MVP front-runner. He's completing 68.6 percent of his passes for 2,709 yards, 22 TDs and only two INTs. He's torched every defense he's faced and it doesn't look like he'll slow down this season.
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