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For the first time since the season began, there's a different player atop the rankings of the most valuable players in the National Football League. That's right. Peyton Manning is not number one.

As for the rest of the rankings, only the top two were obvious. The rest could be assembled in any order. Truth be told, there aren't as many clear-cut top players in the rankings.

1. Tom Brady, Quarterback, New England Patriots (Last week: 4)

Brady has surpassed Peyton Manning as the most valuable player in the league. Why? You take Peyton Manning away from the Denver Broncos and replace him with an average quarterback and they still have a chance to be 6-0. Take Brady away from the Patriots and they're likely 3-3.

It's not about the stats for Brady. It's about his ability to win on a team decimated by injuries with no true receiving threat.

2. Peyton Manning, Quarterback, Denver Broncos (Last week: 1)

Manning is the easy choice for Offensive Player of the Year. His worst performance of the season came on Sunday and it was still a pretty good game. He's thrown 22 touchdowns against just two interceptions this year and he's on pace to set single-season records for completions, completion percentage, passing yards, touchdowns and passer rating.

3. Philip Rivers, Quarterback, San Diego Chargers (Last week: 6)

After Brady and Manning, there's a huge drop-off. Rivers has played extremely well this season, throwing for 14 touchdowns against just five interceptions. His 108.7 passer rating is easily the best mark of his career. His Chargers could be a surprise AFC wild-card team.

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4. Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts (Last week: 2)

The best young quarterback in the game, Andrew Luck has led the Colts to a surprising 4-2 record. He's fourth in the NFL in QBR and he's tossed just three interceptions in six games. He also has a pair of fourth-quarter comebacks.

5. Drew Brees, Quarterback, New Orleans Saints (Last week: 3)

The Saints finally lost a game but Brees wasn't at fault. This season, he's on pace to top 5,000 yards for the fourth time. He's thrown 14 touchdowns and just five interceptions.

6. LeSean McCoy, Running Back, Philadelphia Eagles (Last week: NR)

LeSean McCoy leads the NFL in carries (123), yards (630) and total yards from scrimmage (871). He's averaging 5.1 yards per carry and he's proven that he can succeed with both Michael Vick and Nick Foles at quarterback.

7. Tony Romo, Quarterback, Dallas Cowboys (Last week: 5)

Romo is playing the best football of his career. Most impressively, he's thrown just three interceptions in six games. He's completing more than 70 percent of his passes with 14 touchdowns. He's the biggest reason why Dallas has the highest-scoring offense in the NFC.

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8. Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback, Green Bay Packers (Last week: NR)

Aaron Rodgers is back in the top 10, as the former league MVP is averaging 8.9 yards per pass attempt to go with a triple-digit passer rating for the fifth straight season. He's already had to survive without Bryan Bulaga and now he'll have to get used to life without Randall Cobb and James Jones.

9. Jamaal Charles, Running Back, Kansas City Chiefs (Last week: NR)

The most explosive running back in the AFC ranks second in the league in total yards from scrimmage. The Chiefs defense has received all the hype this year but it's their offense that ranks ninth in scoring.

10. Reggie Bush, Running Back, Detroit Lions (Last week: NR)

Reggie Bush was born for the Detroit Lions offense. Eight years into his career, he's finally one of the top running backs in the league. He's rushed for 376 yards on 4.8 yards per carry and he's added 261 receiving yards on 20 catches.