NFL MVP Tracker after Week 2

The NFL’s MVP race is becoming one crowded party, but it’s only Week 2. Surely some people will drop off from the race (read: Brett Favre), but certain players are making noise. After leaving Tom Brady off the list last week, I was forced again to leave him off the list after New England was held out of the endzone by the New York Jets. Also absent due to loss is the electric Philip Rivers, whose fourth quarter comeback was thwarted by Ray Lewis in the final movements of the Chargers-Ravens tilt.

So who made the list? And who’s rising? I’m not going to spoil the surprise, you’ll have to read on!

Adrian Peterson (92 yards, 1 rushing TD)

Peterson was supposed to light up the Lions, but instead he let Brett Favre take over. Still, Peterson’s incredible runs possessed the vision and awareness of an all-time great, and All Day is on his way to greatness. With 272 yards, Peterson leads all running-backs in rushing yards. A huge day by Chris Johnson caused the gap to close, but the Vikings have something the Titans’ don’t – wins.

Next Game: San Francisco vs. Minnesota (-6.5)

Drew Brees (311 yards, 3 TD)

Brees continues his aerial assault on the face of the league, this time leading the Saints to a 48-22 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on the road. The scary part about Brees’ performance is his 132.9 quarterback rating. Remember, this is the same defense that made Jake Delhomme look like a spastic mess in Week 1. Brees will have a tougher time against a defense in Buffalo that has been startlingly good against New England and Tampa Bay, even as road favorites.

Next Game: New Orleans (-6) vs. Buffalo

Eli Manning (330 yards, 2 TD’s)

The highest paid player in the league showed exactly why the Giants’ brass gave him the big bucks in a huge Sunday Night Football betting win over the favored Cowboys. Manning engineered a fourth-quarter, two-minute drill that put Tynes in a position to win a game where Dallas put up a great fight. With that win, the Giants hold two wins over the spread, and a decisive advantage over divisional opponents in Washington and Dallas.

A lot has been said (by me mostly) that the Giants’ receivers are anything but proven. However, remember that Steve Smith and Mario Manningham are products of USC and Michigan respectively. Drafted in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft, Smith is becoming the black version of Wes Welker. Manningham, meanwhile, is defying his 5-11 frame by gaining YAC’s and touchdowns at an alarming rate. Good drafting is one thing, but incredible coaching is the difference here. With Jacobs behind him and a now stable corps of gutsy receivers, Manning has some chance to make some noise and put an MVP trophy next to his Super Bowl championship.

Next Game: NYG -6.5 vs. Tampa Bay

Still In Contention: Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger

Under The Bus – Willie Parker (RB), Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh is used to having a feared rushing attack, but a sub-par performance against the Bears (without Brian Urlacher), has everyone in Steel Town wondering if Willie Parker is ever going to become the elite heir apparent to Jerome Bettis. Parker has just 66-yards on 2.4 yards per carry and was held out of the endzone for the second straight week. In his standout year during 2006, Parker managed 1,494 yards and 13 touchdowns. He’s matched that scoring total in the five years of his career. That’s not good news for a Steeler offense that is suddenly one-dimensional. Can you imagine how bad this team if they didn’t have a stout offensive line and a gun slinging Ben Roethlisberger?

Parker is on a short leash in Pittsburgh, where the fans and betting backers are beginning to groan unanimously every time he touches the ball. It’s been an incredible journey for Parker, who went undrafted and was signed as a prospect in 2004 because a scout had seen him run insanely fast at UNC, but he’s going to have to put up better numbers to stay on a team that could compete for the Super Bowl again as the defending champ.

Next Game: Pittsburgh -6 vs. Cincinnati

On the Radar – Peyton Manning

He only needed the ball for less that a quarter to beat the Miami Dolphins. That was an MVP type performance.