NFL MVP Watch: Wentz, Brady battle into December

Carson Wentz: The Wentz train is continuing to fly high as we hit December. The second-year signal caller threw three more touchdown passes and was not intercepted in a 31-3 win over Chicago in Week 12. Wentz now has a league-high 28 touchdown passes, and he has been intercepted just five times. 

Philadelphia's quarterback has a chance to sprint into December and further push his MVP campaign on Sunday night against Seattle. The Seahawks’ vaunted defense is depleted by injury, and Wentz can make a strong MVP case with a big night.

Tom Brady: Wentz won’t have to worry about Brady getting in his MVP way for forever, but it sure is a concern this year. Even though Brady is 16 years Wentz’s senior, he is keeping up with the Eagles’ second-year superstar-in-the-making. 

Brady was his typical great self in a 35-17 win over Miami in Week 12. He tossed four touchdown passes, and while he was intercepted once, it was just his third interception of the season. Brady’s 26 touchdown this season have broken the record by a quarterback after the age of 40. He hit the big 4-0 in August, but he’s playing like he’s 28. He is currently posing his second-best completion percentage rate and third-best quarterback rating in his career. He may be in line for his third MVP award — his first since he was 33. 

Who fell from leader board 

Drew Brees: Brees wasn’t have the huge statistical year Wentz and Brady was having even before last week — yet, he is leading the NFL in completion percentage at 71.3 percent. He is a big reason why the New Orleans Saints are a legitimate contender in the NFC. However, the Saints saw their eight-game winning streak end at the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12, and with New Orleans more focused on the run game this year, his counting stats are down. 

Winning on the road against the stout Rams would have kept Brees right on pace with Wentz and Brady. He still has a chance, but he probably needs to lead the Saints to a 5-0 record in the final month and perhaps even double his current touchdown total of 16.

Keep an eye on

Russell Wilson: Wilson probably won’t make a serious run because the team around him is hurting. The Seahawks’ signature defense is banged up, so this is a team that may have a tough time making the playoffs. It’s not Wilson’s fault. He's played great all season and is sneaking up the quarterback statistical list. He's not the MVP right now, but he's having a great year.

Antonio Brown: The Pittsburgh Steelers’ spectacular wide receiver had another stupid-great game in Week 12, a Sunday night win over Green Bay. The final game of Thanksgiving weekend was the Brown show. He had 10 catches for 169 yards and two touchdowns. It was the fifth time in 12 games that Brown has had double-digit catches. The Steelers are a force, and Brown is a big reason. He really could get in the Brady-Wentz mix down the stretch.

Adam Thielen: The Vikings’ slot monster had eight catches for 89 yards in a Thanksgiving Day win at Detroit. He now has 70 catches for 1,005 yards for one of the best teams in the NFL.

Jared Goff: The Los Angeles Rams’ second-year quarterback isn’t at the level of Wentz — Goff was the No. 1 draft pick and Wentz went No. 2 in 2016 — but he is making big strides. He simply is not the same quarterback who wallowed as a rookie, as new Rams coach Sean McVay has Goff cooking. He outdueled Brees in Week 12, and he will be a key factor in the NFC down the stretch.

Key development to watch in Week 13

Brees can get right back in the thick of the race with a huge game against the Carolina Panthers This is a crucial NFC South game. Heroics by Brees could go a long way with the voters.

Current pick

It’s still Wentz. Brady is awesome and will not relent, but for now, Wentz is the MVP.