NFL Top 5 Quarter-Season MVP Players: Derek Carr, Matt Ryan, No. 1 Is Not A Quarterback

The first four weeks of the 2016-17 NFL season are in the books.

With that said, numerous players have stood out on both side of the ball to help their team get off to a fresh start. It’s a long regular season, but it’s going to be over before we all know it.

Let’s count down the top five NFL MVPs thus far.

#5. Derek Carr

The Oakland Raiders finally show some promise, and it’s thanks to this young quarterback. His nine touchdowns and just one interception have the Raiders at 3-1, just one game back of first place in the AFC West. Carr has also been a clutch quarterback this season with two game-winning drives. It’s only his third year, but Carr is living up to the hype so far.

#4. Matt Ryan

Matt Ryan leads the NFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns. A wide majority of the time, a quarterback wins MVP, and when you lead in both of those categories, you’ve got a great chance at winning the award. Ryan’s Falcons have won three consecutive games. So why is Ryan No. 1? Simple- he has Julio Jones, and he plays in a terrible division where all three of his opponents have a losing record at 1-3.

#3. Ben Roethlisberger

“Big Ben” gets an edge over Ryan because of competition. Three of the four teams that Roethlisberger has faced made the playoffs last year compared to Ryan’s one. Yes, Roethlisberger does have Antonio Brown, but his numbers are still MVP caliber. He is tied with Ryan for the NFL lead in touchdowns, and he has a 100.8 passer rating this season.

#2. Cowboys offensive line

Yes, the entire offensive line. The biggest reason the Cowboys are where they are is because of their offensive line. Rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott leads the NFL in rushing yards, and rookie quarterback Dak Prescott has yet to throw a single interception. The biggest reason the Cowboys are 3-1 despite so many injuries is because of their front five.

#1. Von Miller

How can Von Miller not be the MVP? Everyone thought the Denver Broncos were done once Peyton Manning retired, but that was hardly the case. Even without DeMarcus Ware by his side to help rush the passer, Miller is terrorizing quarterbacks. Miller has a league-leading 5.5 sacks, and the Broncos defense looks better than ever. Even more impressive, Miller and the Broncos defense have taken apart high quality quarterbacks such as Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton, Andy Dalton and Andrew Luck.