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NFL MVP 2015: Who is leading the race?

By Matt Verderame

Oct 11, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) takes the field as sunbeams cut across the field during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) takes the field as sunbeams cut across the field during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 4, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; A game ball with the NFL “A Crucial Catch” logo recognizing breast cancer awareness month rests on the field in the fourth quarter during the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; A game ball with the NFL “A Crucial Catch” logo recognizing breast cancer awareness month rests on the field in the fourth quarter during the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

The National Football League season is approaching November, where we start to separate the pretenders from the contenders. While that phrase mostly refers to the standings, it certainly applies to the award races as well, most notably the Most Valuable Player.

In the NFL since 2000, the league MVP has been a quarterback 11 times, with a running back winning the other four occasions. in 2003, the award ws actually split between Peyton Manning and Steve McNair. For the late McNair, it was his only MVP award with the Tennessee Titans, while Manning has won five times, the most of any player ion league history.

The MVP award has been won by an offensive player each year it has been handed out since 1957, with the exception of 1971 and 1986. Those years, Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Alan Page and New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor were named the recipients. Considering the tenor of the NFL these days, it would be almost impossible for a defensive player to ever get real consideration.

With six weeks in the books, here are the true contenders for the NFL MVP award in 2015…

Next: 5. Carson Palmer

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