The NFL MVP race has started to get very tight into November, with players like Tom Brady, Cam Newton, Andy Dalton, Aaron Rodgers and Carson Palmer in contention for the award. Brady is considered the frontrunner, but the longer Dalton and Newton remain undefeated with the Bengals and Panthers, they will be close behind.
Carson Palmer is having a strong season for the Cardinals and they are currently leading the NFC West division. Palmer has the stats and he could close the gap on Brady if the Cardinals make a run at the end of the season and finish with 12-14 wins. Brady is the frontrunner with the way the Patriots are playing and there are three undefeated teams left in the Pats, Bengals and Panthers at 8-0.
Here is a look at the top candidates:
Tom Brady, Patriots
Brady looks like a man on a mission this season after the Deflategate saga and he has the Patriots undefeated heading into Week 10 and is on pace for a record season. Brady has 22 touchdown passes and just two interceptions and is completing a career best 68 percent of his throws. Brady now has 2709 yards after going for 299 yards, two touchdowns and an interception Week 9 against the Redskins and he once again helped his team get a win.
Brady has been the best quarterback in the league this season and Patriots are arguably the best team in the league. The Super Bowl champions don't sneak up on anyone, yet they are still able to win and Brady has been one of the biggest reasons why. Brady is getting up there in age and his starting running back was cut by the BROWNS over the summer, yet he continues to perform at a top level. (UPDATE: Dion Lewis was lost for the season to an ACL injury and if the Pats and Brady continue to win and play well, the point hits even harder).
Andy Dalton, Bengals
Dalton has been criticized for not making it happen in the playoffs, but the MVP is a regular season award and he is putting up some strong numbers in 2015. Dalton is not on Brady's level, but if the Bengals somehow finish with a better record, he will get consideration. Dalton has 2226 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and just four interceptions while completing 67 percent of his passes. Dalton completed 21-of-27 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns last week and helped keep the Bengals undefeated.
Cam Newton, Panthers
Newton doesn't have the numbers that some of the other quarterbacks have, but he may be the actual "most valuable player," as he does not have a supporting cast like some of the other candidates. Newton lost his number one receiver over the summer in Kelvin Benjamin and while Greg Olsen is a top TE, the team does not have many big name players at other skill positions. Newton has 14 TDs and nine picks this season and he has passed for 1820 yards, but is only completing 53 percent of his passes. Newton being in the mix will be all about the record for the Panthers.
Aaron Rodgers, Packers
The Packers lost a second straight game on Sunday and they have fallen to two undefeated teams in the past two weeks in the Broncos and Panthers. The Broncos are now 7-1 and the Panthers remain undefeated and that could push Rodgers down behind the QBs for the undefeated teams. Rodgers still has some strong stats to push his case, as he has 19 touchdowns and just three interceptions while completing 64 percent of his passes. Rodgers is on pace for a big season with 3,874 yards, 38 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Carson Palmer, Cardinals
Palmer is having a great comeback season after suffering an injury last year and he has 20 touchdowns and just six interceptions in eight games. Palmer has 2386 passing yards and is completing 64 percent of his passes and he also could be in the mix if the Cardinals end up with 12, 13 or 14 wins this season. Brady remains the top candidate, but Dalton and Palmer should push him a bit with the numbers they have.