2009 NFL MVP Mid-season Predictions

Though the 2009 NFL Season is only entering Week 7, the production of several players has made it a must to start discussing the candidates for the NFL MVP award.

Peyton Manning - Indianapolis Colts
There were several football experts in the media who though Manning and the Colts would experience a drop off in 2009 with the retirement of head coach Tony Dungy and wide receiver Marvin Harrison. Instead, the 2008 NFL MVP has been on fire through the first six games of the season.

Manning has completed 73.5% of his passes for 1,645 yards with 12 touchdowns and 4 interceptions while leading the Colts to an undefeated record.

Drew Brees - New Orleans Saints
No one was sure how Drew Brees was going to follow up with his dominant 2008 performance where he fell 15 yards short of breaking Dan Marino's single season passing record. While his numbers this year are slightly off the pace, the Saints have become a well rounded offensive threat with Brees running the show.

In five games this season, Brees has a 69.2% completion rate for 1,400 yards with 11 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Brees has been able to obtain these numbers despite having two games where he was limited to zero touchdown passes.

Kyle Orton - Denver Broncos
After the Denver Broncos made a deal to ship Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears for a pair of first round picks plus Orton, many thought the Broncos would struggle on offense. While the team got off to a slow start during week one, they find themselves now atop the AFC West with a perfect record thanks in part to Orton's performance.

Through six games, Orton has completed 63.9% of his passes for 1,465 yards with 9 touchdowns and only one interception. Though Orton may not be flashy, he does the one thing needed, he wins games.

Ben Roethlisberger - Pittsburgh Steelers
Though the reigning Super Bowl Champions have been on a roller coaster of a ride this season, Roethlisberger has been having a career season on an offense is normally known to run first and pass second.

In six games this year, Roethlisberger has completed 72.5% of his passes for a league leading 1,887 yards with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions. The only thing that may stand in his way is a sub par season where the Steelers do not reach the playoffs.

Adrian Peterson - Minnesota Vikings
Quietly Peterson has been putting together another superb season as he makes a serious run at earning his first NFL MVP award. Peterson leads the NFL with 618 yards rushing on 120 carries and 7 touchdowns.

Already on pace for career highs for rushing touchdowns, Peterson has increased his ability catching the ball out of the backfield, recording 14 receptions for 85 yards.

Honorable Mention

Though the last defensive player to receive the NFL MVP award was Lawrence Taylor in 1986, there are two who are going to make a run at it in 2009. Jerod Allen of the Minnesota Vikings and Darren Sharper of the New Orleans Saints have been a terror on the field and have done enough to secure a victory for their respective teams.

Allen has recorded 7.5 sacks this season with 3 forced fumbles while scoring one defensive touchdown. Sharper leads the NFL with five interceptions for 275 return yards with two touchdowns.

Other players like Tom Brady, Ronnie Brown, and Eli Manning can vault themselves into consideration for the 2009 NFL MVP award with consistent production, especially in the nationally televised games.

While the numbers are similar with the top quarterbacks in the league, the nod has to go to Peyton Manning because of what he has been able to do under a new coach and the loss of their second wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez.

Resources

http://www.nfl.com