The NFL season is hitting the home stretch with just five weeks left in the regular season, and five candidates have separated themselves as the clear frontrunners in the MVP race. A case could be made for all five, and the winner figures to separate themselves in the coming weeks. Here's how the MVP race currently stacks up:
5) Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots
Brady was on fire when he returned from his four-game suspension at the start of the season, which put him right at the forefront of the MVP conversation. However, when you're only playing three-quarters of the season, you need to really excel to win the MVP award. Brady has still been playing well, but had a bad game in a loss to Seattle that hurt his stock.
4) Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions
Here's all you need to know: the Lions are 7-4 this season despite trailing in the fourth quarter in all of those games. Matthew Stafford has engineered all of those comebacks, cementing himself as a MVP candidate. If the Lions keep winning, Stafford will keep moving up this list.
3) Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys
You could put either Ezekiel Elliott or Dak Prescott in this spot, but Elliott gets the nod. Dallas' offense is predicated on their rushing attack, and Elliott has been the best back in the league this season. He leads the league with 1,199 rushing yards, and has also added in 11 touchdowns - not to mention the 303 receiving yards and another touchdown. If Dallas continues on their torrid pace, Elliott will be a serious to win this award as a rookie.
2) Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
Ryan hasn't been in the headlines much over the last few weeks, but don't let that fool you - he is dominating just as much as anyone else. He has led the Falcons to the NFC South lead and ranks third in the NFL in both passing yards (3,516) and touchdowns (26). If he can lead the Falcons to the division title, he'll stay in this race.
1) Derek Carr, QB, Oakland Raiders
While other players have somewhat faded away in recent weeks, Carr has burst onto the scene while leading the Raiders to an AFC-best 9-2 record. He has led five fourth-quarter comebacks so far this season, and has been the leader on one of the biggest surprise teams in the league. Carr's stats aren't bad, either - 3,115 yards and 22 touchdowns to just five interceptions. If he and the Raiders keep this up, he'll win his first MVP award.
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