NFL MVP Power Rankings, Week 8: Is Peyton Manning Still Untouchable?

By Dustin Hawkins October 25, 2013

The Broncos...lost? That's a thing that can happen? We were as shocked as the rest of you when Andrew Luck and the Colts raced out to a 26-14 halftime lead on Denver and never looked back, handing Peyton Manning's team their first loss of the season. Manning had a good game—three touchdowns and 386 yards is nothing to sneeze at—but the Colts capitalized on Denver's off night and held on for the win. It might not have been enough to seriously damage Manning's chances of winning the MVP award, but it certainly proved that Peyton—and the Broncos—aren't as perfect as we previously thought.

As a reminder, here are mathematically designed, data-driven criteria we’re using to predict the next NFL MVP:

- Statistical Contribution

- Team performance

- Game-changing plays

- Recent performances

- Intangibles & other contributions

Let’s get down to business!

1. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos QB

Last Week: 1

Last Game: 29/49, 386 passing yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT in a 39-33 loss to the Indianapolis Colts

Season Stats: 25 TDs, 3 INTs, 2,565 passing yards, 71.6 completion percentage

Peyton is still leading the pack by a considerable margin, but last weekend's loss took away his aura of invincibility. It would still take an unprecedented fall from grace (and a major step up from one of the other contenders) to take the award away from Manning, but Sunday's loss shows the Broncos can be beaten. What does that mean for Manning's MVP candidacy? Take it away, Arnold:

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2. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts QB

Last Week: N/R

Last Game: 21/38, 228 passing yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs in a 39-33 win over the Denver Broncos

Season Stats: 10 TDs, 3 INTs, 1,574 passing yards, 60.7 completion percentage

Andrew Luck's meteoric rise to our #2 spot isn't hard to figure out—that's what happens when the #1 guy on the list comes to town and you send him packing with his first loss of the year. In the most important game of his NFL career (and yes, the return of the prodigal son to Indy is more important than last year's 'we're just happy to be here' playoff appearance), Luck outshined Manning, fully justifying Jim Irsay's decision to let Peyton walk. Andrew Luck has now beaten the Broncos, the Seahawks, and the 49ers this year, and no one is wondering if Irsay's gamble is ever going to pay off—it already has.

3. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints QB

Last Week: 3

Last Game: 17/36, 236 passing yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT in a 30-27 loss to the New England Patriots

Season Stats: 14 TDs, 5 INTs, 1958 passing yards, 66.2 completion percentage

Brees stays in third place thanks to another underwhelming performance from last week's #2, Tom ~~Bundchen~~ Brady. Breesus had the week off, but we predict his 5-1 Saints are going to roll through the rest of their schedule—the only teams that should give them any trouble out of their last ten are San Francisco (Home) and Seattle (Away). Dallas is always a bit of a wild card, but we don't think they're capable of winning on the road in the Superdome—not yet, anyway.

4. Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs QB

Last Week: N/R

Last Game: 23/34, 240 passing yards, 0 TDs and 1 INT in a 17-16 win over the Houston Texans

Season Stats: 7 TDs, 4 INTs, 1,570 passing yards, 58.0 completion percentage

Look, Smith doesn't have any individual stats that blow you out of the water, but there's one stat that matters more than the rest—seven wins, zero losses. The Chiefs are the NFL's last remaining undefeated team, and while they haven't had the toughest schedule in town, winning seven straight games in this league is never anything to sneeze at. With Cleveland and Buffalo up next, the Chiefs could easily still be undefeated going into their week 11 AFC West showdown with the Denver Broncos. Bring it on.

5. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers QB

Last Week: 4

Last Game: 22/26, 285 passing yards, 1 TD and 0 INTs in a 24-6 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars

Season Stats: 15 TDs, 5 INTs, 2,132 passing yards, 73.9 completion percentage

Philip Rivers is still out there leading the NFL in completion percentage and goofy faces made per game, and the Chargers are above .500 despite inexplicable losses to Houston, Tennessee and Oakland. Everyone's favorite Rick Santorum fan is single-handedly keeping a mediocre squad afloat in the loaded AFC West, making big plays, leaving it all on the field, and commanding the respect of his fellow professionals.