PFW associate editor Dan Parr ranks the Bears' top five MVP candidates through their most recent game:

(Last week's ranking in parentheses)

1. QB Jay Cutler (1): He threw one interception in the endzone on Monday night and had two other picks negated by penalties. Needless to say, it was not a great night for Cutler. He still has an impressive touchdown-to-interception ratio of 6-2, and he made plays with his feet when no receivers were open vs. Green Bay, racking up a team-high 37 rushing yards. His teammates are going to have a hard time knocking him out of the top spot.

2. MLB Brian Urlacher (2): Urlacher holds on to the second spot after forcing a key fumble with less than 2:30 to play in the fourth quarter vs. the Packers. He knocked the ball away from WR James Jones, and CB Tim Jennings recovered, setting up the Bears' game-winning drive. Urlacher is tied for the team lead in tackles (25) after making nine on Monday night.

3. DE Julius Peppers (4): Why is Peppers rising on the meter after not making a sack in each of the past two games? Because he made one of the bigger plays of the game Monday night, blocking PK Mason Crosby's 37-yard field-goal attempt, and he continues to be disruptive on the defensive line.

4. WLB Lance Briggs (3): He's one heck of a sidekick. Briggs is tied with Urlacher for the team lead in tackles (25) and had WR James Jones wrapped up before Urlacher came in to force the pivotal fourth-quarter fumble.

5. WR Devin Hester (NR): After a quiet Week One, Hester has scored a touchdown in each of the past two games. There were shades of 2006-07 in his 62-yard punt return for a TD in the fourth quarter of Chicago's Monday-night win.