It’s time for our weekly check-in on the race for MVP.

1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers may be the best quarterback of all time. I know it sounds crazy, but he can do things that nobody else in the history of the game has ever done. He’s an all-time great in the pocket but has mobility to make plays on the run. He can take a game over with his arm, his mind or his feet and nobody else has ever done that.

2. J.J. Watt, Houston Texans

There’s probably a bigger gap between J.J. Watt and the second best defensive end than there is between anyone and the second best at their position. Watt is the perfect franchise football player as he’s a “motor guy” with immense talent. As great as Aaron Rodgers is, Watt may be an even better football player.

3. DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys

DeMarco Murray has been spectacular all season long and he’s going to be the first MVP finalist in quite a while to change teams in the offseason (just an educated guess). Murray is on pace for a 2,000 yard season and the Cowboys are getting all the mileage they can out of their workhorse. The combination of Murray, Tony Romo and the rebuilt Cowboys’ offensive line is why the team is in playoff contention.

4. Tom Brady, New England Patriots

Tom Brady has been asked to do less and the Patriots are getting more out of their offense. He’s back to being an excellent game manager which is not a knock or an insult, simply the truth. Brady is still the guy you probably trust as much as anyone in a big spot and the Patriots’ offense would be inept without him, even at a limited level.

5. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos have morphed into a run-first team over the past few weeks. They need to be as the weather is getting colder and Peyton Manning is just an average thrower of the football at this point in his spectacular career. Manning is still the most cerebral guy in the game and he’s winning games with his mind, but if the Broncos are going to have any sort of playoff run they will need a complementary offense to go along with Peyton.