NFL MVP tracker: Matt Ryan top vote-getter for sixth week in a row

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 8's games:

1. QB Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (28 points): Did you see him embarrass the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (25 of 34, 344 yards 4 TDs) Thursday night? That came on the heels of a strong performance Sunday, when he won his duel with Aaron Rodgers by lofting the game-winning TD with 31 seconds to go in a 33-32 victory — one where Ryan had limited contributions from WR Julio Jones and was without injured RB Tevin Coleman. Ryan now has the most game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime (32) in the league since he was drafted in 2008. His 2980 yards and 23 TDs through the air lead the NFL. Last week: 1

NFL midseason awards: Picks for MVP, defensive player of the year, top coach

2. QB Tom Brady, New England Patriots (14 points): The next mistake he makes this season will seemingly be his first. Brady was surgical again Sunday, this time getting his wideouts involved with three of his four TD hook-ups against the Buffalo Bills. His efficiency could carry him to a third MVP: Brady paces the NFL in completion rate (73.1%) and passer rating (133.9), which would both be single-season records, and has yet to have any of his 134 passes picked off. Last week: 2

3. QB Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders (10 points): He's coming off the signature performance of his young career, strafing the Bucs for a Raiders-record 513 yards and four TDs, including the game winner in overtime. Carr also put Oakland in position to win two times prior to that, but Sebastian Janikowski misfired on a field-goal try each time. With sole possession of the AFC West on the line in front of a national TV audience, Carr can make another compelling statement Sunday night . Last week: 5

Clutch performances are latest step in Raiders QB Derek Carr's evolution

4. QB Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (5 points): The multi-talented rookie deserves to at least be in the conversation after piloting Dallas to the best record in the NFC. Prescott struggled for stretches Sunday, completing fewer than half his passes for the first time in his seven starts. However he threw a game-tying TD pass in the fourth quarter before finding TE Jason Witten in overtime to beat the Philadelphia Eagles. With a passer rating of 99.6, Prescott could challenge the rookie record. Last week: Unranked

Others receiving votes: Ezekiel Elliott (3 points), Von Miller (3)

— Week 7 MVP rankings (Matt Ryan)

— Week 6 MVP rankings (Matt Ryan)

— Week 5 MVP rankings (Matt Ryan)

— Week 4 MVP rankings (Matt Ryan)

— Week 3 MVP rankings (Matt Ryan)

— Week 2 MVP rankings (Ben Roethlisberger)

— Week 1 MVP rankings (Antonio Brown)

***

Follow Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis

PHOTOS: Week 9 NFL games ranked by watchability