NFL MVP tracker: Derek Carr joins race behind Matt Ryan, Ben Roethlisberger
From Week 1 through Week 17, USA TODAY Sports' NFL staff will be handicapping the race for league MVP.
A first-place vote is worth five points, a second-place vote is worth three, and a third-place vote is worth one.
Our MVP tracker through Week 5's games:
1. QB Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (26 points): He's emerged as the early front runner. His first-place team squandered a 6-1 start just a year ago, but so far in 2016, Ryan — who leads the NFL in passing yards (1,740) and QB rating (121.6) — has virtually aced every test and is fresh off shredding the reputable defenses of last year's Super Bowl entries, the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos, in successive weeks. After seeming to force feed WR Julio Jones in 2015, Ryan has done a better job spreading the ball this year — more than half his completions and 180 of his 267 passing yards against Denver went to his running backs — and it's a major reason Atlanta is pacing the league in points scored and yards gained. The stiffest test may loom Sunday, when the Falcons face the Seattle Seahawks' top-ranked defense and vaunted Legion of Boom, which has allowed just one TD pass in 2016. Last week: 1
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2. QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (19 points): The league leader with 15 TD passes, he's got a chance to become the third quarterback to throw for at least 50. The return of RB Le'Veon Bell has coincided with a spike in Big Ben's numbers the past two weeks (680 passing yards, 9 TDs, 0 INTs, 143.0 QB rating). If that trend continues, there may be no stopping Roethlisberger from winning his first MVP and finally garnering widespread recognition for being elite at his position. Last week: 3
3. QB Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders (3½ points): The third-year player makes his first appearance of the season just as his team pulled into a first-place tie in the AFC West. He has already led two fourth-quarter comebacks this season and twice rallied the Raiders from eight-point deficits in the second half of Sunday's win over the San Diego Chargers. Given Oakland's defense ranks last in the league, Carr may have plenty of chances to wield his magic this year. Last week: unranked
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4. OLB Von Miller, Denver Broncos (2 points): His string of games (playoffs included) with at least a half-sack was extended to seven Sunday. However Miller (6½ sacks) lost the league lead to Lorenzo Alexander while watching Ryan consistently exploit Denver's pass rush with quick passes while handing the Broncos their first loss. Miller almost certainly remains in pole position for defensive player of the year honors, but he'll have to step it up to become the first defender in 30 years to win league MVP. Last week: 2
Others receiving votes: Sam Bradford (1 point), Tom Brady (1), Julian Edelman (1), Ezekiel Elliott (½)
Dropped out: None
— Week 4 MVP rankings (Matt Ryan)
— Week 3 MVP rankings (Matt Ryan)
— Week 2 MVP rankings (Ben Roethlisberger)
— Week 1 MVP rankings (Antonio Brown)
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