The NFL MVP race for 2015 has Cam Newton in the lead with the Carolina Panthers undefeated at 13-0, while players like Tom Brady, Carson Palmer, Aaron Rodgers and Andy Dalton are also in the mix. Brady pushed himself back into the top three with his performance on Sunday night, while Dalton could fall off after injuring his hand in Week 14.
Brady and Palmer have both put up strong numbers this season and have their teams in playoff position, but Newton has his team undefeated and has performed at an MVP level. Rodgers deserves consideration this season for keeping the Packers in the hunt after dealing with numerous injuries, but Newton, Palmer and Brady are the favorites at this point. Dalton suffered an injury on Sunday and could miss some time for the Bengals and that will put a dent in his chances.
Here is a look at the top MVP candidates:
Cam Newton, Panthers
Newton has led his team to a 13-0 season and the longer the Panthers stay undefeated the more likely it will be that he gets the MVP. Brady has better overall numbers, but Newton's are nothing to sneeze at and by the end of the season he will have put up the best numbers of his career. Newton comes in with 3062 passing yards and 28 touchdowns with 10 interceptions and he has also rushed for another seven scores.
Tom Brady, Patriots
Brady is on pace for one of the best seasons of his career and he has already thrown for 4138 yards in 13 games and has 33 touchdowns with just six interceptions. Brady is completing 64 percent of his passes and he has pushed his team back into first place in the AFC with a win on Sunday. Brady has been able to put up numbers despite injuries at various times to Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Rob Gronkowski, Dion Lewis and LeGarrette Blount and his numbers could get him consideration.
Carson Palmer, Cardinals
Palmer came back from a knee injury last year and has had a career season for the Cardinals, putting up 31 touchdowns and nine interceptions while passing for over 4000 yards. Palmer is completing 64 percent of his passes and has been excellent for Arizona, but the overall stats for Brady and the undefeated record for Newton could push Palmer aside for now. If the Cardinals end up finishing 14-2 and the Panthers go 15-1 or 14-2, there is a chance Palmer could elbow his way into the top of the race.
Aaron Rodgers and Andy Dalton also remain in the mix, but right now they are behind Newton, Brady and Palmer. Dalton's injury could change things up for the Bengals and could leave him out of the MVP discussion.