With 12 whole weeks remaining in the 2016 NFL regular season, here’s how we view the MVP race…
1. Matt Ryan, Falcons: The veteran quarterback is the league’s highest-rated passer. He’s finally putting it all together for his first-place team. He leads the NFL in several key categories, so there’s really nobody else who makes sense for the top spot.
2. Sam Bradford, Vikings: It’s hard to believe he’s in the No. 2 spot more than a quarter of the way through the season, but the former No. 1 overall pick has been unbelievable. He’s completed 70.4 percent of his passes, he’s the NFL’s second highest-rated passer and he’s yet to throw an interception for 5-0 Minnesota.
3. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers: The NFL’s leader in touchdown passes hasn’t been as consistent as you’d like to see, but he’s still the league’s fifth highest-rated passer for a 4-1 team.
4. Carson Wentz, Eagles: A 103.5 passer rating and still only one interception for the 3-1 Eagles. The rookie No. 2 overall pick continues to look like a veteran superstar.
5. Derek Carr, Raiders: The third-year quarterback has an 11-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio and has been particularly clutch for the 4-1 Raiders.
6. Russell Wilson, Seahawks: Far from 100 percent, he’s helped carry the Seahawks and the numbers don’t do it justice.
7. Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys: Seriously, where would the 4-1 Cowboys be without this rookie sensation? The No. 4 overall pick lead’s the NFL in rushing by an 85-yard margin and has gone over 130 yards in three straight Dallas victories.
8. Von Miller, Broncos: A defensive player isn’t likely to win this thing, but Miller is basically Denver’s quarterback. The same can be said for Aaron Donald in Los Angeles, so both of those guys have to be part of the conversation at this ridiculously early stage.
