The 2010 NFL MVP Race

The 2010 NFL season has been one of parity. There isn't a team that looks invincible heading into the final weeks of the season. It seems that one week a team is hot and then the next they are getting beat by 20 points. What that means for us fans is a dramatic last couple weeks of the regular season. While a lot can still happen to determine who will win the league's MVP award, here is a list of five players that the winner should emerge from.

Maurice Jones-Drew: The Jacksonville Jaguars running back is second in the NFL in rushing yards, but one drawback is that he only has seven total touchdowns. The Jaguars are looking to win the AFC South for the first time and are currently tied with the Indianapolis Colts for the division lead. Jones-Drew missed an opportunity, in week 15, to have a huge game against the Colts and put a distinctive stamp on his season.

Aaron Rodgers: This past Sunday was not a good one for Rodgers as he had to watch his team go against the Patriots from the sidelines. Rodgers did not get medical clearance to after he suffered a concussion in week 14. The Green Bay Packers are fighting for NFC North supremacy with the Chicago Bears. If the Packers don't win the division they might miss the playoffs altogether. With the NFL's focus on concussions, whether Rodgers plays or not next week will be out of his control. The Packers loss to the Patriots in week 15 proved how important having Rodgers on the field is for the Packers. If Rodgers can play and lead his team to a playoff berth, he will get many votes for MVP.

Michael Vick: If the NFL MVP race was a Hollywood script, then Vick would be a shoe-in for the award. Vick has had a great year, especially for someone who wasn't even the starter when the season began. The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback has thrown for 20 touchdowns and rushed for eight more. He has the third best quarterback rating in the league at 103.6. Although some people will never forgive him for his involvement is dogfighting, he has made the most of his second chance. With a huge comeback performance in the fourth quarter against the New York Giants, Michael Vick is a serious MVP candidate.

Philip Rivers: The San Diego Chargers have had a plethora of different wide receivers in 2010. The one constant is that Rivers has been the one throwing the ball to them. San Diego had another one of their patented poor starts and now are hoping to win the weak AFC West. Rivers is second in the league in passing yards and third in passing touchdowns. The Chargers will need to ride Rivers arm if they are to make the playoffs. If the Chargers make the playoffs and the next guy slips up some, Rivers will could the MVP.

Tom Brady: The New England Patriots quarterback is currently the front runner. He is tied for the league lead in touchdown passes with 31 and has thrown only four interception, with zero picks in his last nine games. He has led the Patriots to a tie for the best record in the league at 12-2. He also leads the league in passer rating at 109.9. The Patriots were the first team to clinch a playoff berth. All Brady needs to do is have a decent final two weeks of the season and he will pick up another MVP to go with the one he won in 2007.

More from this contributor:

Strange Behavior on the Football Field

5 Pro Football Players Who Shouldn't be in the Hall of Fame

If I Could Change Sports History

Sources:

nfl.com/stats

nfl.com/standings