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

1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers has thrown 30 touchdowns and just three interceptions this season. The Packers are not a one-man team, but make no mistake Rodgers’ is “the man.” A good quarterback covers up your teams’ faults and a bad one exposes them. The Packers are looking like a great team right now.

2. DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys

Another game, another DeMarco Murray 100-yard rushing performance. He’s on pace to shatter the Cowboys’ franchise record for rushing yards in a season by roughly 200 yards (on pace for nearly 2,000). Murray gives the Cowboys the balance on offense that they’ve been missing in recent years and he’s helping Tony Romo have one of the best seasons of his career.

3. Tom Brady, New England Patriots

Tom Brady is still a great quarterback, but he’s being asked to do less and prospering because of it. Like most quarterback’s, Tom Brady’s MVP candidacy will largely depend on team success and right now the Pats look like the very best team in football. It’s a far cry from what they looked like after Week 4.

4. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos

Manning bounced back from a poor performance and led the Broncos to 39 points in their victory over the Dolphins. Manning was more accurate than he’s been in recent weeks and his passes seemed to have more velocity. He still does more than most quarterbacks in terms of game management.

5. J.J. Watt, Houston Texans

J.J. Watt is the best defensive player in football, and aside from Aaron Rodgers, there’s a bigger gap between him and the second-best player at his position. Watt is a nightmare for offensive coordinators and an even bigger one for opposing quarterbacks. J.J. should get MVP consideration, despite the Texans’ record.