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

(Last week's ranking in parentheses)

1. QB Jay Cutler (1): The Bears are incapable of sufficiently protecting their most valuable player right now. The offense went nowhere as Cutler was sacked nine times in the first half before departing with a concussion, and it didn't look any better with Todd Collins and Caleb Hanie under center in the second half.

2. MLB Brian Urlacher (2): The case could be made that DE Julius Peppers is the Bears' second-most valuable player, but Urlacher holds a slight edge for now. He leads the team in tackles (30) after making five, including one for loss, to go along two passes defended and a fumble recovery vs. the Giants.

3. DE Julius Peppers (3): He's only on pace for eight sacks this season, which is not as many as most people expect from someone who is paid as highly as Peppers is. Where would the Bears' pass rush be without him, though? He has made big plays in three of the four games this season and is catching up to Urlacher on this list.

4. WLB Lance Briggs (4): Briggs had a quiet night by his standards, making just three tackles against the Giants. One game isn't going to affect his standing too much, however. He's still a piece that would be very difficult to replace.

5. WR-PR Devin Hester (5): Hester (three catches for 16 yards vs. the Giants) and the rest of the wide receivers didn't get many opportunities Sunday night while Bears quarterbacks were being mobbed by pass rushers. He did have a 36-yard punt return, but it was called back because of a holding penalty on WR Earl Bennett.