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On fourth-and-two with two minutes left in the game and the ball at the Ravens 33 yard-line, the Steelers were up 36-23, but Pittsburgh still went for it. The result: a 33-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to tight end Matt Spaeth, which increased the Steelers' lead to 43-23 and gave Roethlisberger his second consecutive game of six passing touchdowns, creating a new record of 12 touchdown passes in two straight NFL games.

Roethlisberger has catapulted the Steelers back into the status of contenders in the AFC. The Steelers are currently on a three-game winning streak during which they beat all AFC foes. On the current win streak, Roethlisberger has amassed 14 of his 22 passing touchdowns he has thrown this season. Also during that stretch of three games, the Pittsburgh quarterback completed 74 percent of his passes and totaled 1,127 passing yards. Moreover, the Steelers scored 124 points in those three games.

It is astonishing that the current high-scoring Steelers are the same team that was defeated by the Buccaneers and pummeled by the Browns. Through the first six games of the season, the Steelers put together a mediocre 3-3 record. The Steelers offense was the team's biggest disappointment over the first six games of the season. The Steelers defense was expected to be mediocre, not the offense. The talent on offense was there, but the offense could not execute — especially in the redzone.

The turnaround on offense is the catalyst of the team's recent success. What has changed over the past three weeks: receivers besides Antonio Brown are making plays. Rookie Wide receiver Martavis Bryant caught five touchdowns in the first three games of his NFL career. The reemergence of wide out Markus Wheaton has been a good effect. Wheaton caught two touchdowns in the two previous games — one of which went for 47 yards.

Finally, in his 11th season of his career, Roethlisberger has the weapons around him to add an MVP award to his trophy case. He has one of the best wide receivers in the game in Brown, a good No.2 wideout who can run a multitude of routes in Wheaton, Bryant who is 6-4 and makes plays in the redzone, Heath Miller who is a reliable tight end, and Le'Veon Bell who can make plays on the ground and through the air.

The Steelers boast the best offense in the league over the course of the past three weeks. The Steelers are not going to score 40 or 50 points each week. However, offensive failures like the the games against Jacksonville and Cleveland — games in which the offense failed to score 20 points — are unacceptable from now on.

If the Steelers are going to be win the AFC North or clinch a playoff spot, the offense must perform to its peak ability, and Roehtlisberger must continue his MVP-quality. This is not a normal Steelers team; the defense will not hold down the fort if the offense plays poorly. The offense has to perform well every week if the Steelers are going to win football games.

The Steelers have the 1-8 New York Jets next up on the schedule. Roethlisberger and the offense should continue to play remarkably well.

On fourth-and-two with two minutes left in the game and the ball at the Ravens 33 yard-line, the Steelers were up 36-23, but Pittsburgh still went for it. The result: a 33-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to tight end Matt Spaeth, which increased the Steelers' lead to 43-23 and gave Roethlisberger his second consecutive game of six passing touchdowns, creating a new record of 12 touchdown passes in two straight NFL games.

Roethlisberger has catapulted the Steelers back into the status of contenders in the AFC. The Steelers are currently on a three-game winning streak during which they beat all AFC foes. On the current win streak, Roethlisberger has amassed 14 of his 22 passing touchdowns he has thrown this season. Also during that stretch of three games, the Pittsburgh quarterback completed 74 percent of his passes and totaled 1,127 passing yards. Moreover, the Steelers scored 124 points in those three games.

It is astonishing that the current high-scoring Steelers are the same team that was defeated by the Buccaneers and pummeled by the Browns. Through the first six games of the season, the Steelers put together a mediocre 3-3 record. The Steelers offense was the team's biggest disappointment over the first six games of the season. The Steelers defense was expected to be mediocre, not the offense. The talent on offense was there, but the offense could not execute — especially in the redzone.

The turnaround on offense is the catalyst of the team's recent success. What has changed over the past three weeks: receivers besides Antonio Brown are making plays. Rookie Wide receiver Martavis Bryant caught five touchdowns in the first three games of his NFL career. The reemergence of wide out Markus Wheaton has been a good effect. Wheaton caught two touchdowns in the two previous games — one of which went for 47 yards.

Finally, in his 11th season of his career, Roethlisberger has the weapons around him to add an MVP award to his trophy case. He has one of the best wide receivers in the game in Brown, a good No.2 wideout who can run a multitude of routes in Wheaton, Bryant who is 6-4 and makes plays in the redzone, Heath Miller who is a reliable tight end, and Le'Veon Bell who can make plays on the ground and through the air.

The Steelers boast the best offense in the league over the course of the past three weeks. The Steelers are not going to score 40 or 50 points each week. However, offensive failures like the the games against Jacksonville and Cleveland — games in which the offense failed to score 20 points — are unacceptable from now on.

If the Steelers are going to be win the AFC North or clinch a playoff spot, the offense must perform to its peak ability, and Roehtlisberger must continue his MVP-quality. This is not a normal Steelers team; the defense will not hold down the fort if the offense plays poorly. The offense has to perform well every week if the Steelers are going to win football games.

The Steelers have the 1-8 New York Jets next up on the schedule. Roethlisberger and the offense should continue to play remarkably well.

On fourth-and-two with two minutes left in the game and the ball at the Ravens 33 yard-line, the Steelers were up 36-23, but Pittsburgh still went for it. The result: a 33-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to tight end Matt Spaeth, which increased the Steelers' lead to 43-23 and gave Roethlisberger his second consecutive game of six passing touchdowns, creating a new record of 12 touchdown passes in two straight NFL games.

Roethlisberger has catapulted the Steelers back into the status of contenders in the AFC. The Steelers are currently on a three-game winning streak during which they beat all AFC foes. On the current win streak, Roethlisberger has amassed 14 of his 22 passing touchdowns he has thrown this season. Also during that stretch of three games, the Pittsburgh quarterback completed 74 percent of his passes and totaled 1,127 passing yards. Moreover, the Steelers scored 124 points in those three games.

It is astonishing that the current high-scoring Steelers are the same team that was defeated by the Buccaneers and pummeled by the Browns. Through the first six games of the season, the Steelers put together a mediocre 3-3 record. The Steelers offense was the team's biggest disappointment over the first six games of the season. The Steelers defense was expected to be mediocre, not the offense. The talent on offense was there, but the offense could not execute — especially in the redzone.

The turnaround on offense is the catalyst of the team's recent success. What has changed over the past three weeks: receivers besides Antonio Brown are making plays. Rookie Wide receiver Martavis Bryant caught five touchdowns in the first three games of his NFL career. The reemergence of wide out Markus Wheaton has been a good effect. Wheaton caught two touchdowns in the two previous games — one of which went for 47 yards.

Finally, in his 11th season of his career, Roethlisberger has the weapons around him to add an MVP award to his trophy case. He has one of the best wide receivers in the game in Brown, a good No.2 wideout who can run a multitude of routes in Wheaton, Bryant who is 6-4 and makes plays in the redzone, Heath Miller who is a reliable tight end, and Le'Veon Bell who can make plays on the ground and through the air.

The Steelers boast the best offense in the league over the course of the past three weeks. The Steelers are not going to score 40 or 50 points each week. However, offensive failures like the the games against Jacksonville and Cleveland — games in which the offense failed to score 20 points — are unacceptable from now on.

If the Steelers are going to be win the AFC North or clinch a playoff spot, the offense must perform to its peak ability, and Roehtlisberger must continue his MVP-quality. This is not a normal Steelers team; the defense will not hold down the fort if the offense plays poorly. The offense has to perform well every week if the Steelers are going to win football games.

The Steelers have the 1-8 New York Jets next up on the schedule. Roethlisberger and the offense should continue to play remarkably well.

On fourth-and-two with two minutes left in the game and the ball at the Ravens 33 yard-line, the Steelers were up 36-23, but Pittsburgh still went for it. The result: a 33-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to tight end Matt Spaeth, which increased the Steelers' lead to 43-23 and gave Roethlisberger his second consecutive game of six passing touchdowns, creating a new record of 12 touchdown passes in two straight NFL games.

Roethlisberger has catapulted the Steelers back into the status of contenders in the AFC. The Steelers are currently on a three-game winning streak during which they beat all AFC foes. On the current win streak, Roethlisberger has amassed 14 of his 22 passing touchdowns he has thrown this season. Also during that stretch of three games, the Pittsburgh quarterback completed 74 percent of his passes and totaled 1,127 passing yards. Moreover, the Steelers scored 124 points in those three games.

It is astonishing that the current high-scoring Steelers are the same team that was defeated by the Buccaneers and pummeled by the Browns. Through the first six games of the season, the Steelers put together a mediocre 3-3 record. The Steelers offense was the team's biggest disappointment over the first six games of the season. The Steelers defense was expected to be mediocre, not the offense. The talent on offense was there, but the offense could not execute — especially in the redzone.

The turnaround on offense is the catalyst of the team's recent success. What has changed over the past three weeks: receivers besides Antonio Brown are making plays. Rookie Wide receiver Martavis Bryant caught five touchdowns in the first three games of his NFL career. The reemergence of wide out Markus Wheaton has been a good effect. Wheaton caught two touchdowns in the two previous games — one of which went for 47 yards.

Finally, in his 11th season of his career, Roethlisberger has the weapons around him to add an MVP award to his trophy case. He has one of the best wide receivers in the game in Brown, a good No.2 wideout who can run a multitude of routes in Wheaton, Bryant who is 6-4 and makes plays in the redzone, Heath Miller who is a reliable tight end, and Le'Veon Bell who can make plays on the ground and through the air.

The Steelers boast the best offense in the league over the course of the past three weeks. The Steelers are not going to score 40 or 50 points each week. However, offensive failures like the the games against Jacksonville and Cleveland — games in which the offense failed to score 20 points — are unacceptable from now on.

If the Steelers are going to be win the AFC North or clinch a playoff spot, the offense must perform to its peak ability, and Roehtlisberger must continue his MVP-quality. This is not a normal Steelers team; the defense will not hold down the fort if the offense plays poorly. The offense has to perform well every week if the Steelers are going to win football games.

The Steelers have the 1-8 New York Jets next up on the schedule. Roethlisberger and the offense should continue to play remarkably well.

My MVP Rankings are not solely who should get the MVP if the season ended today. It takes in risk factors such as potential injuries, degree of difficult schedule, etc. These rankings are essentially my expectations for where the MVP voting will be at the end of the year. Please enjoy!

In a year where a running back is the current clear favorite for the award, you might say that a quarterback has little chance to steal the MVP from a guy that is on pace to shatter records. Highlight those words “on pace”. Demarco Murray is not going to stay upright with the number of carries he is getting. It just can’t happen.

The most carries by a running back in any season of the NFL is 416 by Larry Johnson in 2006. He added 41 receptions that year. Sick stats giving him nearly 2200 total yards and 19 scores! Only five times have running backs reached 400 carries in a year.

Murray is currently on pace for 478 total touches for 2450 yards and 16 scores (and nine lost fumbles). He would have a cake-walk to the MVP. But Murray’s health has always been an issue. In 2013 he missed two games and had two others with seven carries or less during an injured stretch. In 2011 he missed six games because of injury. So it is not a matter of IF, but WHEN, Demarco Murray gets hurt.

With that said, the league will turn its attention to a QB. Right now the list of potential QBs that could take the MVP should include Manning, Luck, Rivers, and Rodgers.

Each of this QBs lead teams currently 5-2 or better. Each has thrown at least 17 TDs. But there are certain stats that set each one apart.

Andrew Luck leads the league with 2331 yards through seven games. He is the only QB with a winning record currently on pace for 5,000 or more passing yards (5328 to be exact). His 21 TDs, including two rushing, is also first in the league. These are strong points. But he has many weaknesses too. He has needed 302 pass attempts to get to that total, and is completing under 66% of his passes, lowest among these four QBs. He also has seven interceptions on the year and a lost fumble.

Philip Rivers has looked very good this year. He has only three turnovers to go with 1961 passing yards and 17 scores. His 67.4% completion rate is 2^nd to Manning of the four. His yards per attempt at 8.53 is the best of the four. But he has also had the luxury of playing only two teams that rank better than 15^th in passing yards allowed including the Cardinals and Jaguars who rank 30^th and 31^st. Playing against a stronger defense like the Chiefs he finished with just over 200 yards, 2 scores, and an interception. Let’s see how the rest of his season plays out.

Peyton Manning is certainly the most well known QB in the game and he is definitely making a case for another MVP. He is averaging 308 passing yards per game and is on pace for 51 touchdowns! His 68.7% completion rate is the highest of the four as is his 118.2 QB rating. With that said, Denver still had 6 games against top 14 pass defenses including three games against top four teams. If Denver is able to win their games against the Chargers (week 8), Patriots (week 9), and chargers (week 15), I expect Manning will not even play in weeks 16 and 17 as Denver will have the top seed locked up. This will hurt Manning’s stats on the year.

Finally for all of those who are ready to R-E-L-A-X, enter Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers isn’t top 10 in passing yards in the league despite not having his bye yet. In fact he is 21^st in passing yards per game behind the likes of Austin Davis, Mike Glennon, and Bryan Hoyer! But what sets Rodgers apart is his perfection. He doesn’t have the yards because he doesn’t need to. Rodgers comes out so hot that he doesn’t even finish games. Twice this season he has sat out the entire fourth quarter of games and had limited pass attempts in the second half at all.

Rodgers has 18 touchdowns, but only one interception. He has nearly 200 pass attempts since throwing that sole INT. His QB rating is just behind Mannings at 117.3. And thanks to a much stronger conference, Rodgers will be playing til the final minute in week 17. In Rodgers first three outings he had only five scores. Since then he has 13 TDs in only four games. If he keeps up the pace set over the last four games, he would finish the season with 47 scores and one pick. Surely he will have a bad game and throw a pick or two, but his pace is amazing. If he leads the Packers to a 13-3 record with 45 scores and fewer than five picks, watch out.

With that all said, here are my current MVP rankings:

5. Luck

4. Rivers

3. Murray (even with injury)

2. Rodgers

1. Manning

My MVP Rankings are not solely who should get the MVP if the season ended today. It takes in risk factors such as potential injuries, degree of difficult schedule, etc. These rankings are essentially my expectations for where the MVP voting will be at the end of the year. Please enjoy!

In a year where a running back is the current clear favorite for the award, you might say that a quarterback has little chance to steal the MVP from a guy that is on pace to shatter records. Highlight those words “on pace”. Demarco Murray is not going to stay upright with the number of carries he is getting. It just can’t happen.

The most carries by a running back in any season of the NFL is 416 by Larry Johnson in 2006. He added 41 receptions that year. Sick stats giving him nearly 2200 total yards and 19 scores! Only five times have running backs reached 400 carries in a year.

Murray is currently on pace for 478 total touches for 2450 yards and 16 scores (and nine lost fumbles). He would have a cake-walk to the MVP. But Murray’s health has always been an issue. In 2013 he missed two games and had two others with seven carries or less during an injured stretch. In 2011 he missed six games because of injury. So it is not a matter of IF, but WHEN, Demarco Murray gets hurt.

With that said, the league will turn its attention to a QB. Right now the list of potential QBs that could take the MVP should include Manning, Luck, Rivers, and Rodgers.

Each of this QBs lead teams currently 5-2 or better. Each has thrown at least 17 TDs. But there are certain stats that set each one apart.

Andrew Luck leads the league with 2331 yards through seven games. He is the only QB with a winning record currently on pace for 5,000 or more passing yards (5328 to be exact). His 21 TDs, including two rushing, is also first in the league. These are strong points. But he has many weaknesses too. He has needed 302 pass attempts to get to that total, and is completing under 66% of his passes, lowest among these four QBs. He also has seven interceptions on the year and a lost fumble.

Philip Rivers has looked very good this year. He has only three turnovers to go with 1961 passing yards and 17 scores. His 67.4% completion rate is 2^nd to Manning of the four. His yards per attempt at 8.53 is the best of the four. But he has also had the luxury of playing only two teams that rank better than 15^th in passing yards allowed including the Cardinals and Jaguars who rank 30^th and 31^st. Playing against a stronger defense like the Chiefs he finished with just over 200 yards, 2 scores, and an interception. Let’s see how the rest of his season plays out.

Peyton Manning is certainly the most well known QB in the game and he is definitely making a case for another MVP. He is averaging 308 passing yards per game and is on pace for 51 touchdowns! His 68.7% completion rate is the highest of the four as is his 118.2 QB rating. With that said, Denver still had 6 games against top 14 pass defenses including three games against top four teams. If Denver is able to win their games against the Chargers (week 8), Patriots (week 9), and chargers (week 15), I expect Manning will not even play in weeks 16 and 17 as Denver will have the top seed locked up. This will hurt Manning’s stats on the year.

Finally for all of those who are ready to R-E-L-A-X, enter Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers isn’t top 10 in passing yards in the league despite not having his bye yet. In fact he is 21^st in passing yards per game behind the likes of Austin Davis, Mike Glennon, and Bryan Hoyer! But what sets Rodgers apart is his perfection. He doesn’t have the yards because he doesn’t need to. Rodgers comes out so hot that he doesn’t even finish games. Twice this season he has sat out the entire fourth quarter of games and had limited pass attempts in the second half at all.

Rodgers has 18 touchdowns, but only one interception. He has nearly 200 pass attempts since throwing that sole INT. His QB rating is just behind Mannings at 117.3. And thanks to a much stronger conference, Rodgers will be playing til the final minute in week 17. In Rodgers first three outings he had only five scores. Since then he has 13 TDs in only four games. If he keeps up the pace set over the last four games, he would finish the season with 47 scores and one pick. Surely he will have a bad game and throw a pick or two, but his pace is amazing. If he leads the Packers to a 13-3 record with 45 scores and fewer than five picks, watch out.

With that all said, here are my current MVP rankings:

5. Luck

4. Rivers

3. Murray (even with injury)

2. Rodgers

1. Manning

A defensive player winning the league's MVP award is a rare occurance. In fact it has only happened twice, firstly in 1971 when the Vikings' defensive tackle Alan Page took home the award, and the last defensive player to win it was some guy called Lawrence Taylor in 1986.

Which brings us to the question posed in the above title, can JJ Watt win the MVP?

In a word, yes. But I will elaborate/back up my answer now with a few conditions.

The Houston Texans first of all need to finish with a respectable record, a playoff spot isn't out of the question with the way the Texans have been playing so far at 3-3, the average-ness of the AFC also helps their chances as they are in the hunt at this early stage of the season.

Then Watt himself needs to keep doing things that no-one else can. His 80-yard interception return against the Buffalo Bills for example. When you watch the clip of the play one thing you have to bear in mind is that JJ Watt is 6-foot-5 and as near as makes no difference 290 pounds, yet he still covered the 80 yards quicker than most linebackers could, a guy that big should not be that quick!

Just to give you an idea of how dominant Watt has been, and how great his numbers are, lets compare him to the entire Seattle Seahawks defensive unit. After a quick glance at my NFL.com fantasy team, Watt has one more touchdown, only one less fumble recovery, one less interception than the whole of the legion of boom combined and four sacks to Seattle's combined seven.

The fact that we are comparing one player's efforts to an entire defensive team's performance shows how ridiculous Watt has been so far this year. He already has six passes defended compare to his total of seven all last season. And if that's not enough, he also caught a touchdown pass against the Oakland Raiders in week two! But then again so could I when you look at the Raiders this year.

So Watt's a shoe-in to win the MVP right? Well if DeMarco Murray breaks Eric Dickerson's rushing record I would have to concede that he would probably win the award, or if Phillip Rivers continues his current streak of five games with a passer rating of over 120 he would also be in contention.

The problem for Watt is that defensive plays rarely make the highlight reels, its usually full of Calvin Johnson catches, LeSean McCoy runs and Aaron Rodgers being Aaron Rodgers.

Despite what the Seahawks did last year, and what the whole of the NFC West is based on, the league is still all about offence.

But barring injury, or the coaching staff switching Watt to cornerback to see if there really is nothing he can't do, Watt should be have a great chance of being crowned MVP.

No-one dominates the game in the way he does right now.

A defensive player winning the league's MVP award is a rare occurance. In fact it has only happened twice, firstly in 1971 when the Vikings' defensive tackle Alan Page took home the award, and the last defensive player to win it was some guy called Lawrence Taylor in 1986.

Which brings us to the question posed in the above title, can JJ Watt win the MVP?

In a word, yes. But I will elaborate/back up my answer now with a few conditions.

The Houston Texans first of all need to finish with a respectable record, a playoff spot isn't out of the question with the way the Texans have been playing so far at 3-3, the average-ness of the AFC also helps their chances as they are in the hunt at this early stage of the season.

Then Watt himself needs to keep doing things that no-one else can. His 80-yard interception return against the Buffalo Bills for example. When you watch the clip of the play one thing you have to bear in mind is that JJ Watt is 6-foot-5 and as near as makes no difference 290 pounds, yet he still covered the 80 yards quicker than most linebackers could, a guy that big should not be that quick!

Just to give you an idea of how dominant Watt has been, and how great his numbers are, lets compare him to the entire Seattle Seahawks defensive unit. After a quick glance at my NFL.com fantasy team, Watt has one more touchdown, only one less fumble recovery, one less interception than the whole of the legion of boom combined and four sacks to Seattle's combined seven.

The fact that we are comparing one player's efforts to an entire defensive team's performance shows how ridiculous Watt has been so far this year. He already has six passes defended compare to his total of seven all last season. And if that's not enough, he also caught a touchdown pass against the Oakland Raiders in week two! But then again so could I when you look at the Raiders this year.

So Watt's a shoe-in to win the MVP right? Well if DeMarco Murray breaks Eric Dickerson's rushing record I would have to concede that he would probably win the award, or if Phillip Rivers continues his current streak of five games with a passer rating of over 120 he would also be in contention.

The problem for Watt is that defensive plays rarely make the highlight reels, its usually full of Calvin Johnson catches, LeSean McCoy runs and Aaron Rodgers being Aaron Rodgers.

Despite what the Seahawks did last year, and what the whole of the NFC West is based on, the league is still all about offence.

But barring injury, or the coaching staff switching Watt to cornerback to see if there really is nothing he can't do, Watt should be have a great chance of being crowned MVP.

No-one dominates the game in the way he does right now.

Four games into the season and there are some clear front runners for the 2014 League MVP.  It is likely that players like Peyton Manning, Russell Wilson, and Aaron Rodgers will creep into this discussion by year’s end but as of right now, there are others who would be more deserving ¼ of the way through the season.

DeMarco Murray, RB Dallas Cowboys

If this award was given right now, Murray would likely win it pretty handily.  Through four weeks, Murray has rushed for 534 yards and 5 touchdowns.  That is 156 more yards than the second leading rusher in the NFL.  Murray is one of the main reasons that Dallas has started 3-1 and is one of the biggest surprises in 2014.  If Murray can continue this pace, he will not only run away with the MVP award, but he could challenge Eric Dickerson’s single season rushing record.

Le’Veon Bell, RB Pittsburgh Steelers

Le’Veon Bell may be 156 rushing yards behind Murray but Bell also has 192 receiving yards.  Bell has only managed to find the end zone once this season but he has been dominant averaging 5.3 yards per carry.  Running as well as he is, the touchdowns will come as will the recognition.  At the pace he is on, his name will continue to be mentioned for offensive player of the year and MVP.

Antonio Brown, WR Pittsburgh Steelers

Bell is not the only player in Pittsburgh putting up impressive statistics.  Brown is one of 4 players in the NFL with 5 receiving touchdowns and is 3^rd in yards with 427 on 29 catches (which is 2^nd in the NFL).  Brown has gotten better every season in his short NFL career and is well on his way to improve on his 2013 season of 110 catches, 1,499 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Steve Smith, WR Baltimore Ravens

Smith is 35 years old and coming off of one of his worst statistical seasons.  Carolina let him leave assuming that Smith did not have another productive season in him, and they were wrong.  Smith has 25 catches for 429 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Smith likely won’t keep this production up, but most would have said that Smith being productive in 2014 wasn’t likely at all, not to mention being in any conversation even remotely adjacent to an MVP discussion.

J.J. Watt, DE Houston Texans

Watt is disruptive on defense and a big reason that Houston is 3-1.  He has 2 sacks and seemingly is in the backfield more than opposing running backs.  On top of that he returned an interception for a touchdown this week.  If all of his defensive success weren’t enough to warrant him for MVP discussion, he also caught a touchdown playing offense earlier this season.

Tony Romo, QB Dallas Cowboys

The MVP award has become the best Quarterback award recently, with a quarterback winning 6 of the last 7 MVPs.  There are others in the NFL with better numbers than his 936 passing yards and 7 touchdowns, but the way he has led Dallas this season has been fantastic.  Romo is criticized for not performing well in the clutch but he has played very well this season.  Romo is set up to prove his critics wrong this season… or prove them right yet again.

Andrew Luck, QB Indianapolis Colts

Statistically, no Quarterback is having a better season than Andrew Luck.  He has passed for 1,305 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for another touchdown.  The Colts are only 2-2, but that is not Luck’s fault, he kept Indianapolis in both the Denver and Philadelphia games and tore apart division opponents Jacksonville and Tennessee.  He is looking just like the pro that everyone expected him to be. He has a bright future and will be in many MVP discussions throughout his career.

Four games into the season and there are some clear front runners for the 2014 League MVP.  It is likely that players like Peyton Manning, Russell Wilson, and Aaron Rodgers will creep into this discussion by year’s end but as of right now, there are others who would be more deserving ¼ of the way through the season.

DeMarco Murray, RB Dallas Cowboys

If this award was given right now, Murray would likely win it pretty handily.  Through four weeks, Murray has rushed for 534 yards and 5 touchdowns.  That is 156 more yards than the second leading rusher in the NFL.  Murray is one of the main reasons that Dallas has started 3-1 and is one of the biggest surprises in 2014.  If Murray can continue this pace, he will not only run away with the MVP award, but he could challenge Eric Dickerson’s single season rushing record.

Le’Veon Bell, RB Pittsburgh Steelers

Le’Veon Bell may be 156 rushing yards behind Murray but Bell also has 192 receiving yards.  Bell has only managed to find the end zone once this season but he has been dominant averaging 5.3 yards per carry.  Running as well as he is, the touchdowns will come as will the recognition.  At the pace he is on, his name will continue to be mentioned for offensive player of the year and MVP.

Antonio Brown, WR Pittsburgh Steelers

Bell is not the only player in Pittsburgh putting up impressive statistics.  Brown is one of 4 players in the NFL with 5 receiving touchdowns and is 3^rd in yards with 427 on 29 catches (which is 2^nd in the NFL).  Brown has gotten better every season in his short NFL career and is well on his way to improve on his 2013 season of 110 catches, 1,499 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Steve Smith, WR Baltimore Ravens

Smith is 35 years old and coming off of one of his worst statistical seasons.  Carolina let him leave assuming that Smith did not have another productive season in him, and they were wrong.  Smith has 25 catches for 429 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Smith likely won’t keep this production up, but most would have said that Smith being productive in 2014 wasn’t likely at all, not to mention being in any conversation even remotely adjacent to an MVP discussion.

J.J. Watt, DE Houston Texans

Watt is disruptive on defense and a big reason that Houston is 3-1.  He has 2 sacks and seemingly is in the backfield more than opposing running backs.  On top of that he returned an interception for a touchdown this week.  If all of his defensive success weren’t enough to warrant him for MVP discussion, he also caught a touchdown playing offense earlier this season.

Tony Romo, QB Dallas Cowboys

The MVP award has become the best Quarterback award recently, with a quarterback winning 6 of the last 7 MVPs.  There are others in the NFL with better numbers than his 936 passing yards and 7 touchdowns, but the way he has led Dallas this season has been fantastic.  Romo is criticized for not performing well in the clutch but he has played very well this season.  Romo is set up to prove his critics wrong this season… or prove them right yet again.

Andrew Luck, QB Indianapolis Colts

Statistically, no Quarterback is having a better season than Andrew Luck.  He has passed for 1,305 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for another touchdown.  The Colts are only 2-2, but that is not Luck’s fault, he kept Indianapolis in both the Denver and Philadelphia games and tore apart division opponents Jacksonville and Tennessee.  He is looking just like the pro that everyone expected him to be. He has a bright future and will be in many MVP discussions throughout his career.

Four games into the season and there are some clear front runners for the 2014 League MVP.  It is likely that players like Peyton Manning, Russell Wilson, and Aaron Rodgers will creep into this discussion by year’s end but as of right now, there are others who would be more deserving ¼ of the way through the season.

DeMarco Murray, RB Dallas Cowboys

If this award was given right now, Murray would likely win it pretty handily.  Through four weeks, Murray has rushed for 534 yards and 5 touchdowns.  That is 156 more yards than the second leading rusher in the NFL.  Murray is one of the main reasons that Dallas has started 3-1 and is one of the biggest surprises in 2014.  If Murray can continue this pace, he will not only run away with the MVP award, but he could challenge Eric Dickerson’s single season rushing record.

Le’Veon Bell, RB Pittsburgh Steelers

Le’Veon Bell may be 156 rushing yards behind Murray but Bell also has 192 receiving yards.  Bell has only managed to find the end zone once this season but he has been dominant averaging 5.3 yards per carry.  Running as well as he is, the touchdowns will come as will the recognition.  At the pace he is on, his name will continue to be mentioned for offensive player of the year and MVP.

Antonio Brown, WR Pittsburgh Steelers

Bell is not the only player in Pittsburgh putting up impressive statistics.  Brown is one of 4 players in the NFL with 5 receiving touchdowns and is 3^rd in yards with 427 on 29 catches (which is 2^nd in the NFL).  Brown has gotten better every season in his short NFL career and is well on his way to improve on his 2013 season of 110 catches, 1,499 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Steve Smith, WR Baltimore Ravens

Smith is 35 years old and coming off of one of his worst statistical seasons.  Carolina let him leave assuming that Smith did not have another productive season in him, and they were wrong.  Smith has 25 catches for 429 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Smith likely won’t keep this production up, but most would have said that Smith being productive in 2014 wasn’t likely at all, not to mention being in any conversation even remotely adjacent to an MVP discussion.

J.J. Watt, DE Houston Texans

Watt is disruptive on defense and a big reason that Houston is 3-1.  He has 2 sacks and seemingly is in the backfield more than opposing running backs.  On top of that he returned an interception for a touchdown this week.  If all of his defensive success weren’t enough to warrant him for MVP discussion, he also caught a touchdown playing offense earlier this season.

Tony Romo, QB Dallas Cowboys

The MVP award has become the best Quarterback award recently, with a quarterback winning 6 of the last 7 MVPs.  There are others in the NFL with better numbers than his 936 passing yards and 7 touchdowns, but the way he has led Dallas this season has been fantastic.  Romo is criticized for not performing well in the clutch but he has played very well this season.  Romo is set up to prove his critics wrong this season… or prove them right yet again.

Andrew Luck, QB Indianapolis Colts

Statistically, no Quarterback is having a better season than Andrew Luck.  He has passed for 1,305 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for another touchdown.  The Colts are only 2-2, but that is not Luck’s fault, he kept Indianapolis in both the Denver and Philadelphia games and tore apart division opponents Jacksonville and Tennessee.  He is looking just like the pro that everyone expected him to be. He has a bright future and will be in many MVP discussions throughout his career.

Four games into the season and there are some clear front runners for the 2014 League MVP.  It is likely that players like Peyton Manning, Russell Wilson, and Aaron Rodgers will creep into this discussion by year’s end but as of right now, there are others who would be more deserving ¼ of the way through the season.

DeMarco Murray, RB Dallas Cowboys

If this award was given right now, Murray would likely win it pretty handily.  Through four weeks, Murray has rushed for 534 yards and 5 touchdowns.  That is 156 more yards than the second leading rusher in the NFL.  Murray is one of the main reasons that Dallas has started 3-1 and is one of the biggest surprises in 2014.  If Murray can continue this pace, he will not only run away with the MVP award, but he could challenge Eric Dickerson’s single season rushing record.

Le’Veon Bell, RB Pittsburgh Steelers

Le’Veon Bell may be 156 rushing yards behind Murray but Bell also has 192 receiving yards.  Bell has only managed to find the end zone once this season but he has been dominant averaging 5.3 yards per carry.  Running as well as he is, the touchdowns will come as will the recognition.  At the pace he is on, his name will continue to be mentioned for offensive player of the year and MVP.

Antonio Brown, WR Pittsburgh Steelers

Bell is not the only player in Pittsburgh putting up impressive statistics.  Brown is one of 4 players in the NFL with 5 receiving touchdowns and is 3^rd in yards with 427 on 29 catches (which is 2^nd in the NFL).  Brown has gotten better every season in his short NFL career and is well on his way to improve on his 2013 season of 110 catches, 1,499 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Steve Smith, WR Baltimore Ravens

Smith is 35 years old and coming off of one of his worst statistical seasons.  Carolina let him leave assuming that Smith did not have another productive season in him, and they were wrong.  Smith has 25 catches for 429 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Smith likely won’t keep this production up, but most would have said that Smith being productive in 2014 wasn’t likely at all, not to mention being in any conversation even remotely adjacent to an MVP discussion.

J.J. Watt, DE Houston Texans

Watt is disruptive on defense and a big reason that Houston is 3-1.  He has 2 sacks and seemingly is in the backfield more than opposing running backs.  On top of that he returned an interception for a touchdown this week.  If all of his defensive success weren’t enough to warrant him for MVP discussion, he also caught a touchdown playing offense earlier this season.

Tony Romo, QB Dallas Cowboys

The MVP award has become the best Quarterback award recently, with a quarterback winning 6 of the last 7 MVPs.  There are others in the NFL with better numbers than his 936 passing yards and 7 touchdowns, but the way he has led Dallas this season has been fantastic.  Romo is criticized for not performing well in the clutch but he has played very well this season.  Romo is set up to prove his critics wrong this season… or prove them right yet again.

Andrew Luck, QB Indianapolis Colts

Statistically, no Quarterback is having a better season than Andrew Luck.  He has passed for 1,305 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for another touchdown.  The Colts are only 2-2, but that is not Luck’s fault, he kept Indianapolis in both the Denver and Philadelphia games and tore apart division opponents Jacksonville and Tennessee.  He is looking just like the pro that everyone expected him to be. He has a bright future and will be in many MVP discussions throughout his career.