Prime-Time Players

After a wild five weeks in the NFL, there have been certain players that have shown a level play that warrants the title of a Most Valuable Player. Last year’s MVP, Tom Brady, who set a record with 50 TDs’s passing last year, is doing more rehabbing than he is playing, as a torn ACL in week 1 ruined his campaign for back to back MVP awards. With Brady on the shelf, here is a new group of five players that may shock you, but will most likely be in the discussion for NFL MVP In January.


1. Eli Manning, QB New York Giants: As hard for it is for me to admit, Eli is a good quarterback. Those like myself who thought that his performance in last years’ playoffs was a fluke, we are wrong. Manning has lead his Giants to a 4-0 start, as Eli has looked more sharp then any QB in the NFL, even leading his brother Peyton in all important statistical categories. Manning is in the top five in passing yards per game, passing touchdowns, completion percentage for all quarterbacks, and he also has the highest quarterback rating in the NFC. Point Blank, if the Giants win the tough NFC East this year, Manning will a sure-favorite for MVP.

2. Clinton Portis, RB Washington Redskins: The Skins’ are 4-1 and breathing down the Giants back for first place in the NFC East with winning four straight after there week 1 defeat to the Giants. Quite frankly, Portis is the reason for this. In three of his last four games, Portis has rushed for 100+ yards. In week 3 against New Orleans, Portis had 2 clutch rushing TD’s in the fourth quarter to lead the Skins’ to a come from behind victory. In week 5 against the Eagles, Portis rushed for 130 yards, 44 of them coming on a 3rd and 1 with 5 minutes left in the game to all but clinch the victory. If the Skins’ keep on winning, Portis will be the reason, and will be recognized.


3. Reggie Bush, RB New Orleans Saints: Laugh all you want, but so far, in his third year, Reggie Bush is playing up to the reputation he brought out of college, which is pure excitement. Bush has 7 TD’s in five games this year, 3 of them coming off of punt returns. He is Devin Hester, with tons of more offensive skill. With that said, the Saints are 2-3, but if they can push the Falcons, Panthers and Bucs for NFC South supremacy, Bush and his teammate, QB Drew Brees, will easily be in the discussion alone because of their individual statistical accomplishments.

4. Jay Cutler, QB Denver Broncos: In the offseason, Jay Cutler was diagnosed with the most serious form of Diabetes. No one knew how he would respond after losing 30 pounds due to the sickness. Well, after getting healthy, and using insulin daily, Cutler has come back with vengeance. With leading the Broncos to a 4-1 record after five games, Cutler is leading the AFC in passing yards, second in TD’s, and is leading the NFL in quarterback rating, If the Broncos can hold off Phillip Rivers, LT, Antonio Gates and the rest of the Chargers for the AFC West Title, that might give Cutler a strong case for MVP in itself.


5. Brett Favre, QB New York Jets: Where have we heard this name before? I thought this guy was done. Retired, Cashed, Drained, Finished, Washed Up. Well, one year later, new team, same story. Favre is the only reason his team, this year the New York Jets, is in the hunt for the AFC East regular season title. If Brady was healthy, this may have been a different story, but Favre at age 38 is still just rolling along. After his 6 TD performance against the Cardinals in week 4, his 12 TD’s for the season after 4 games still leads the NFL. With this pace, Favre is destined for 48 TD’s, a total that would be a record for his illustrious 16-year career. If he can even come close to that, and the Jets win the AFC East, look out for Favre getting his 4th MVP award (was runner-up last year to Brady).


That’s it for today’s entry. I am in Chicago this weekend celebrating Yom Kippur, so I don’t know when I will be able to write my next entry. It will probably be sometime between tomorrow (Thursday) and Saturday, for which I will talk about Week 6 matchups in the NFL.



Happy Holidays. Go Phillies.