NFL MVP Watch: Tom Brady continues to soar

Tom Brady: He is just keeps going and going. Brady just doesn’t slip. His New England Patriots are cruising, and Brady is the captain of his vessel. We see where is is going, right? A sixth Super Bowl ring and third MVP trophy. Who cares if he lost his cool with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels? He is Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. He’s entitled to get heated once in a while. 

Carson Wentz: Brady doesn’t slip. Well, Wentz just slipped. He and his Philadelphia Eagles were outclassed by the Seattle Seahawks on prime time. The Eagles could muster just 10 points, and Wentz was not special against a good but injury-depleted Seattle defense. Wentz and the Eagles are not suddenly shams because of the loss. I mean, they’re still 10-2 and NFC power brokers. But it wasn’t a great showing. He suddenly has some making up to do in this MVP race in the final quarter of the season. 

Who joins the leader board?

Russell Wilson:  Wilson is the reason for the Eagles' and Wentz’s sudden woes. He was the best player on the field in Seattle on Sunday night. That’s a good defense Wilson beat, and yes, it was Wilson doing the beating. This guy is a one-man offense. No blocking. No running game. No supreme receiving weapons. But Wilson makes it happen. He’s behind Brady and Wentz, but Wilson deserves to be on the leader board.

Keep an eye on

Drew Brees: I was tempted to boost Brees up to the leader board. He fell from there last week, but Brees was terrific in a big NFC South New Orleans’ win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 13. The Saints are shining in the NFC, and Brees is a big reason why. Yes, the Saints are shoving the ball down opponents' throats and Brees’ numbers have been gaudier in the past, but the 38-year-old is balling. Plus, he’s leading the NFL in completion percentage at 71.5. This is the fifth time Brees is leading the NFL in that category, and he's within reach of the record set by Sam Bradford at 71.6 last season.

Antonio Brown: The best player on the talent-packed Pittsburgh Steelers has mind-blowing performances each week. He was a big reason why the Steelers came back from a 17-0 deficit Monday night at Cincinnati. He is leading the NFL in catches (88), yards (1,296) and he is tied in touchdowns (nine). Honestly, Brown probably deserves to be on the leader board soon.

Todd Gurley: What a weird early career it has been for Gurley. In 2015, he was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. As a sophomore, he slumped badly. Now, he is in the MVP conversion. Gurley is making one big play after another and flourishing under first-year Rams coach Sean McVay.

Jared Goff: Goff is also playing great under McVay. He continues to get better. The 2016 No. 1 pick is a legitimate quarterback, and he will be a handful to deal with in the playoffs. 

Key development to watch in Week 14

In perhaps the game of the week, Wentz, Goff and Gurley will all be on display when the Eagles play at the Rams. We’ll get the natural Goff and Wentz matchup (Goff was the top draft pick and Wentz was taken No. 2 in the 2016). Wentz can get his MVP candidacy on the right track again, and Goff can continue to get noticed with big performances. If Gurley explodes against the Eagles’ No. 1-ranked run defense, he can get further in the MVP mix. 

Current pick 

This MVP watch is on its third week. Wentz was the pick in the first two weeks. We have a change. It’s Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr.