NFL MVP Race: Top five candidates heading into Week 16

The NFL MVP race is heating up more than ever. While there may be a frontrunner right now, this race is far from over with two weeks left.

The 2015 NFL season is coming to an end soon, and the NFL MVP race is heating up even more along with playoff implications. Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton impressed voters even more with an astonishing performance against the New York Giants, as he threw five touchdown passes while overcoming a furious Giants comeback. The Panthers improved to 14-0 with this win, and they have an even bigger chance of being the second team in NFL history to finish with a 16-0 record in the regular season.

However, the award is not his just yet since there are many other deserving candidates still at large. There are two weeks left in the regular season, so now is the time for Newton and the other leading MVP candidates to make a positive impression on the voters. It will be difficult for anyone to top a quarterback who has led his team to a 14-0 record, but this should not be a reason for any of them to give up.

There is no guarantee that the award will be given to a quarterback either, despite history favoring them. Running backs have won the award three times in the last 10 years, so there is no reason to count them out. A player that plays a position aside from quarterback/running back has not won the award since linebacker Lawrence Taylor earned it in 1986. It does not look like this will be any different this year.

Here are the top five MVP candidates heading into Week 16, which will be an even more ideal time for Newton and his competitors to make their last campaigns.

Next: 5. Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings