As our calendars flip to November, we can start thinking about the playoff picture in the NFL, as well as post-season awards. Yes, there is a lot of football left to be played, and yes things can certainly change. But armed with seven to eight games from each team we have a good idea who are contenders, and who are pretenders.
We also have a good idea of what players are setting themselves apart this season.
Now traditionally, MVP awards often fall into the arms of quarterbacks. The last non-QB to win MVP was Adrian Peterson, back in 2012. In fact, since the year 2000 we have seen just four non-quarterbacks take home that hardware: Marshall Faulk in 2000, Shaun Alexander in 2005, LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006, and Peterson in 2012.
During that same time frame a quarterback won the award 16 times. 17 if you count 2003 when Peyton Manning and Steve McNair were co-MVPs.
So you will see a lot of quarterbacks on this list. But you will also see some non-quarterbacks, and from positions you might not expect.