NFL MVP Watch List

Going into 2009, there seemed like few other possibilities for MVP besides Adrian Peterson, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady. Of course, those four are in the running as they have been and will continue to be for a few years to come, but there are some surprises at the top of the MVP watch list.

Brett Favre

I think most people expected the Vikings to be better with Favre at the helm, but did anybody expect Favre to be doing this well? I didn't.

Aaron Rodgers

Perhaps he's not on your watch list, but he should be. With the highest quarterback rating at the end of Week 8, Rodgers needs to stay healthy despite being sacked an average of more than once a quarter, but if Green Bay can win their way into the playoffs, Rodgers has a serious shot at the trophy.

Kyle Orton

Wow, the Broncos are good. Kyle Orton is playing well. Is anybody else confused? Ultimately, Orton won't have the numbers in yards or touchdowns to compete with other winning quarterbacks, but he's still toward the top.

Cedric Benson

Where did this streak of solid play come from? Benson is well on his way to averaging over 100 yards per game and sending the Bengals to the playoffs. In a division filled with the power defenses of Pittsburgh and Baltimore, it seemed unlikely this was possible.

Steve Smith

Yes, the Giants' Steve Smith. He's fallen off the pace in recent weeks as the Giants have struggled, but he should have a 100-reception, 1,300-yard season and that's nothing to sneer at.

Matt Schaub

He'll have to keep the interceptions down and move the Texans to their first playoff appearance, but Schaub looks pretty solid out there.

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After these surprises, there are those who would be in the running for MVP if their teams weren't so incredibly terrible — the If Their Teams Were Good MVPs (ITTWGMVPs).

Chris Johnson

Two giant games have him leading the NFL in rushing through eight weeks, but a lack of touchdowns and a lack of Titans' wins have the possibility of Johnson snagging an MVP at zero.

Maurice Jones-Drew

The Jags could turn it around, but Jones-Drew's potential 20+ touchdowns could have him in the running so long as the Jags get close to 8-8.

Stephen Jackson

Scoring his first touchdown against Detroit doesn't help, but he's racking up the yardage for a pathetic Rams team.