There is no doubt Saints QB Drew Brees, who remains in the top spot on the Meter this week, plays for a team with a better running game than the Colts'. The Saints are ranked fifth in rushing while Indianapolis is ranked 30th.

Some would also argue that Brees benefits from having a more experienced and better group of receivers than Manning, and because the Colts are still undefeated in spite of these factors, Manning is the more valuable player to his team. Hence, Manning should be on top in what continues to look like a head-to-head battle, although we can't count Brett Favre completely out yet.

But isn't it also true that Brees is one of the main reasons the Saints' rushing attack is so successful? Defenses have to respect Brees and know that he could throw in any situation, which opens things up for Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell and Co. Why Manning hasn't had the same effect on the Colts' ground game is a bit puzzling. Part of the problem for the Colts is that they may just not run the ball enough, although it's hard to argue with the results for an undefeated team. New Orleans has 400 rushes this season, while Indy has 304, which is the fourth-fewest in the league.

Thomas and Bell are not Pro Bowlers. They would not be having this kind of success if not for Brees, so it's a bit unfair to hold their accomplishments against Brees in the MVP discussion. Manning may be getting less help than Brees this year, although it's difficult to measure by how much, but, like Manning, Brees makes those around him — especially backs and receivers — better. Brees has thrown for more touchdowns, fewer interceptions, has a higher completion percentage and averages more yards per attempt than Manning — and he's extremely valuable to the Saints. That is why Brees is still in the lead to become the MVP.

1. Saints QB Drew Brees — The Saints nearly lost again but held on to beat the Falcons by three points, and Brees was nearly flawless, as he has been much of the time recently. Brees has completed 71 percent of his passes or more in each of the past three games and has just one turnover in his last four. He's thrown 13 TDs in that span.

2. Colts QB Peyton Manning — He threw a season-high three interceptions vs. Denver, but the Broncos scored only three points off them and Indy held off Denver 28-16. Manning also threw four TDs in four trips to the red zone. His MVP prospects improved when Jim Caldwell announced the starters would  play Thursday night vs. the Jaguars.

3. Vikings QB Brett Favre — Favre was fairly ordinary against a tough Bengals defense in Week 14, completing 17-of-30 passes for 192 yards, one TD and one interception. He has a TD-interception ratio of 3-3 in his past two games after compiling 24-3 in his first 11.

4. Chargers QB Philip Rivers — He had an opportunity to overtake Favre with a great game this week, but while the Chargers beat the Cowboys, Rivers wasn't quite good enough to make the jump. He completed 21-of-32 passes for 272 yards, one TD and one interception.

5. Titans RB Chris Johnson — His sensational streak continued, as he broke Earl Campbell's record for consecutive games with 100 yards rushing by making it eight in a row vs. the Rams in the Titans' 47-7 rout. Johnson ran for 117 yards, had 69 yards receiving and scored three TDs. If not for those Brees and Manning characters, the second-year back would have a legitimate shot at the MVP.

6. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers — Rodgers had, statistically, one of his worst games of the year Sunday, but he did enough to help the Packers win their fifth straight by beating the Bears. He threw for a season-low 180 yards and didn't have a TD for the first time in a game this season. One impressive note from Sunday's quarterback matchup: Rodgers has attempted only 13 fewer passes than Jay Cutler (444-457), yet he has thrown 15 fewer interceptions (7-22).

7. Packers CB Charles Woodson — He had another pick in Green Bay's win over Chicago, giving him eight on the season, which is tied for the second-most in the league. He should be considered the leader in the battle to become Defensive Player of the Year.

8. Vikings RB Adrian Peterson — Peterson is back on track after carrying the Vikings' offense in Week 14 against a tough Bengals run defense. He rushed for 97 yards and two TDs in Minnesota's win over Cincinnati and had a season-high 29 touches, chipping in with 40 receiving yards as well. Something tells me he'll top those numbers next week vs. the Panthers' 26th-ranked run "D."

9. Jets RB Thomas Jones — He's not the sexiest MVP candidate. He's had few monster games, but Jones deserves recognition for being the pulse of the Jets' offense. Jones has gained at least 75 yards in eight consecutive games. It's not quite as good as Johnson's streak but still impressive, and the Jets wouldn't be in the playoff race without Jones.

10. Broncos OLB Elvis Dumervil — He was held without a sack vs. the Colts in Week 14, and his chances of breaking the record for sacks in a season have dropped to about zero. He still would put himself in good position to win the Defensive Player of the Year award if he makes five sacks in the final three games, which would give him 20 on the year.

Honorable mention: Cardinals QB Kurt Warner, Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew, Jets CB Darrelle Revis, Eagles QB Donovan McNabb, Bengals RB Cedric Benson, Colts DE Dwight Freeney, Saints FS Darren Sharper, Patriots QB Tom Brady, Cowboys QB Tony Romo, 49ers ILB Patrick Willis.

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