MVP Watch: It's a Brees ... Or is It?

With just three games to play in the latest installment of the exciting NFL season, there is still plenty of on-field drama left. Among that drama will be who comes away with the most lucrative individual award, the NFL Most Valuable Player. Yes, there are three games remaining, but we've seen enough of the body of work to begin narrowing the field instead of purely speculating. We'll be back three more times, weekly, to size up the candidates.

The Front Runner

In addition to having his Saints just three wins away from a perfect season, Drew Brees leads the NFL in passer rating, completion percentage and touchdown passes. He's gotten everyone in the offense involved, as he's thrown touchdowns to 10 different players. Much has been made about the improved defense and the new-found balance on offense this season, but Brees is still doing the heavy lifting. Running lanes are open because of Brees' electric aerial attack. And the defense ranks in the lower-half of the league in yards and points allowed.

More than that, though, is the leadership Brees brings to his team. He's joined forces with Sean Payton to resurrect a franchise that was almost forced to move in the wake of tragic Hurricane Katrina. While they have plenty of other players who do a great job in contributing to the success of the team, Brees is the Saints. They'd be lost without him. The MVP is about more than numbers, and Brees has everything. At this point, he is the most valuable player in the NFL.

That being said, this is a ridiculously close race right now. Don't discount these next three just yet.

The Contenders

2. Brett Favre - Two weeks ago I had him above Brees, but the game in Arizona was enough to knock him down to second. That's how close this race is. We're holding one bad game against someone. Seriously, though, he's going to set a career high in passer rating at age 40 without even having a training camp. Most impressive are his six interceptions, especially when you consider he is still throwing the deep ball and taking chances.

3. Peyton Manning - His next interception will mean he's thrown his most since 2002. Everything else looks just about normal for Manning. In a weird twist of circumstances, I believe he deserves the MVP less this year than he has in each of the past six seasons, but he has the best chance to win a Super Bowl ring. The reason is that the defense is the best he's ever had. None of his 14 interceptions have resulted in a touchdown for the opposing team. For example, last week he threw three interceptions and the defense still only allowed 16 points. He still has a good shot, due to the team's 13-0 record and the fact that he's got gaudy numbers yet again, but I think he'll be content to have his second ring -- even if it's without his fourth MVP. Maybe then people will start to call him the greatest quarterback to ever play (which he most certainly is). For 2009, though, he's closer to fourth than first.

4. Philip Rivers - Eight wins in a row, and he's doing it with no running game (only the Bears run for less yards per game and the Chargers' 3.2 yards per carry is the worst in the NFL). Only Favre and Brees have a better quarterback rating and he's taking great care of the ball. Plus, Rivers has been nails with the game on the line when need-be. Check out the Giants and Cowboys road wins as evidence. Don't get caught thinking this is a three-horse race. Rivers belongs in the conversation.

Under Different Circumstances, Maybe ...

5. Chris Johnson - Had the Titans played all season like they have since the bye week (or maybe just started Vince Young all along?), Johnson would be neck and neck with Brees. Instead, we're looking at the offensive player of the year. His impact can't be measured on numbers, but 2,000 is the big one here.

6. Charles Woodson - The reason the Packers can blitz so often and not worry about providing help in coverage? Woodson. They rank third in the NFL in pass defense and interceptions. Woodson's eight (second in the NFL) help, but so does the way he helps the entire defense by shutting down his man and shifting around between linebacker, safety and corner.

7. Darrelle Revis - By now, it's not just the fantasy football players -- who have seen him shut down Andre Johnson, Marques Colston, Terrell Owens (twice), Randy Moss (twice), Antonio Bryant and Steve Smith, among others -- who notice the impact Revis has on the game. If the Jets run the table and go 10-6, he'll have a much better case. Still, it would take a miracle for a corner to win this award.

8. Darren Sharper - It's easy to point to his eight picks and three touchdowns (very easy, in fact), but the difference Sharper has made with the Saints' defense (which is at least respectable now, if not even average) comes in the form of confidence and swagger. He's the veteran leader they needed.

9. Jared Allen - He's just doing what he does -- give the opposing offensive line and quarterback fits -- but he's been the second most valuable on his own team this year.

10. Aaron Rodgers - Wait, what? I thought he sucked? The stats and the five straight wins say he doesn't. If the offensive line can keep him upright, he can pick a defense apart. The problem here is there are four obvious quarterbacks above him. You can only have so much QB, even if it's easily the most important position in professional team sports.

Dropped Out

Kurt Warner would have been in one of the above categories after the convincing home victory over the Vikings in Week 13, but after Monday night's stink-fest in San Francisco he's got to be permanently out of contention. His three turnovers in a game where the offense looked awful teamed with a five-pick performance earlier in the season is just too much for an MVP -- no matter what he does the rest of the way.