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Ultimate MVP: DeAndre Hopkins crashes QB-heavy rankings

Bob Levey / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Thus far, the MVP rankings have been dominated by quarterbacks, and understandably so - a passer has won the award seven of the last eight seasons. But another prime-time loss by Andy Dalton has knocked him out of the rankings altogether in lieu of a pass-catcher.

Here's a look at the top five MVP candidates - ranked in order - after the season's first 11 weeks.

1. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
Pass yards: 3,320 | Comp.%: 66.3 | TD-INT: 25-4

Brady threw an interception for the third consecutive week Monday night. His receiving corps continues to take hits, and his offensive line was leaky against the Buffalo Bills. Up next, a road date against the Denver Broncos' hellacious defense Sunday night.

2. Cam Newton, QB, Panthers
Pass yards: 2,283 | Comp.%: 56.9 | TD-INT: 20-9

The biggest knock against Newton, whose Carolina Panthers are 10-0, has been his passing numbers. But he righted that ship with a career day against the Washington Redskins, tossing a franchise-record-tying five touchdown passes. A Thanksgiving Day road date with the Dallas Cowboys is up next.

3. Carson Palmer, QB, Cardinals
Pass yards: 3,066 | Comp.%: 64.0 | TD-INT: 27-9

Palmer had his back against the wall Sunday night, but as has been the case throughout his time in Arizona, he came out throwing. After throwing his second interception against his former team the Cincinnati Bengals, Palmer completed 69.2 percent of his passes for four touchdowns without a turnover, including a picture-perfect 64-yard touchdown pass that drew the game even and flipped momentum onto the Cardinals' side.

4. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
Pass yards: 2,482 | Comp.%: 61.7 | TD-INT: 23-3

The Green Bay Packers reminded the Minnesota Vikings that the NFC North still runs through Wisconsin on Sunday, and it was just the kind of performance Rodgers needed to silence his critics. Hearing all week long about how he's struggled against Mike Zimmer-coached defenses, Rodgers threw for two touchdowns and didn't turn the ball over in a comfortable 17-point victory, halting the Packers' three-game skid.

5. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Texans
Rec: 76 | Rec. Yards: 1,045 | TD: 9

It's really a flip of the coin as to which Houston Texans star belongs in this spot, but give the edge to Hopkins who's kept the offense moving despite sub-par talent around him. The 137 targets Hopkins has vacuumed pace the league, and he has a touchdown each week on the team's current three-game winning streak. In fact, the Texans are 5-1 when Hopkins scores a touchdown and 0-4 when he doesn't. If Houston is able to qualify for the postseason in the dreadful AFC South, Nuk will be at the forefront of that charge.

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