Ultimate MVP: Cam Newton dances his way up the ranks
If there was ever a year where it was a lock that a quarterback would win the MVP award, this would be the year. The award has gone to a passer seven of the last eight seasons, and it would come as a major surprise if that streak wasn't stretched out to eight of nine.
Here's a look at the top five MVP candidates - ranked in order - after the season's first 10 weeks.
1. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
Pass yards: 3,043 | Comp.%: 67.8 | TD-INT: 24-3
Brady needed a little bit of help from the hapless New York Giants to keep the Patriots undefeated. But the record books will show another fourth-quarter comeback for Brady, who's thrown multiple touchdown passes in every game this season.
2. Cam Newton, QB, Panthers
Pass yards: 2,037 | Comp.%: 56.3 | TD-INT: 15-9
While many would prefer to talk about Newton's dance moves, his value to the Panthers is what's been most impressive. The Carolina offense runs through the Auburn product, who recorded his 30th career game with both a passing and rushing touchdown Sunday.
3. Carson Palmer, QB, Cardinals
Pass yards: 2,749 | Comp.%: 64.0 | TD-INT: 23-7
There are no longer any available spots on the Carson Palmer-bandwagon. That filled up after Palmer's outstanding performance against the Seattle Seahawks on "Sunday Night Football." Palmer could have folded when Mike Iupati went down and the Cardinals' offensive line went back to being its usual, leaky self. But he instead stood tall and helped the team seal its victory in the fourth quarter.
At 35 years of age, Palmer is playing some of the best football of his career, improving to 13-2 as a starter over the last two seasons.
4. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
Pass yards: 2,270 | Comp.%: 63.3 | TD-INT: 21-3
A 6-0 start to the season is a distant memory for Packers fans. Road losses to the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers can be excused, but a home loss to the Detroit Lions has many in Packer Nation hitting the panic button. With a loss in Minnesota on Sunday, not even a request to "relax" will ease Packers fans' concerns.
5. Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals
Pass yards: 2,423 | Comp.%: 66.2 | TD-INT: 18-5
It was just a matter of time before Dalton's prime-time demons caught up with him. But who would have expected that to happen at home against the Houston Texans? In any event, Dalton's passing numbers remain among the best in the league. He'll be right back in prime time on a short week in Week 11.