Rivers leads MVP race, followed by QBs P Manning, Wilson, Luck, RB Murray, DE Watt per SI, CBS, FOX, USA Today, etc

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Sports Illustrated:

Philip Rivers is coming off his worst game of the season in a home loss to Kansas City. He'll have to rediscover his mojo in a hurry because San Diego takes its depleted secondary to Denver on Thursday Night Fottball before heading to Miami (#4 total D in NFL) in Week 9. There is danger afoot.

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Toronto Sun, two days ago:

-QB Russell Wilson is playing his butt off and, with his leadership qualities, he’ll get his championship team reined-in sooner than later.

-We can’t deny how well the Cowboys are playing, seemingly unstoppable with DeMarco Murray shredding defences and Tony Romo taking advantage by not being forced to win games with his arm.

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Brady been doing well in a stretch against teams with an overall losing record. His schedule gets a lot tougher now, starting with Peyton Manning and the Broncos on Sunday

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ESPN

Aaron Rodgers has thrown 192 straight passes w/o an interception, the longest streak of his career

Rodgers threw 2 INTs last night on SNF in New Orleans, tripling his INT total for the season

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JJ Watt now has 5 sacks over his last 3 games, giving him 7 sacks this season (#4 in NFL), on pace for 14 this season. He has 7 passes defended in 8 games, on pace for double what he had last yr (7 PDs in 16 games)

Watt is also currently:

#1 in NFL, non-offensive TDs

#1 in NFL, fumble recoveries by defensive player

#1 in NFL, fumble returns for TDs

#3 in NFL, fumble return yds

#5 in NFL, INT return yds

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NFL.com panel of nine at midseason:

MVP

5 - Manning

3 - Rodgers

1 - Brady

also mentioned: Murray, Watt, Luck

OPOY

7 - Murray

1 - Manning

1 - Rodgers

also mentioned: Dallas O-line

DPOY

9 - Watt

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CBS Sports on Russell Wilson's game winning drive at Carolina:

"That might have been a season-saving drive late against Carolina."

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CBS Sports:

"The Chargers need to re-establish their running game. Rivers can throw for 300 against any team at any time, but the secondary is now dealing with injuries."

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CBS Sports:

"Philip Rivers is an MVP candidate, but the Chargers may not have enough other VPs to get them where they want to be."

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There are currently only 5 players with 5 or more games this season with passer ratings of 100+, and only 2 have 6: Manning and Big Ben...

Rodgers (3 games under 100, 5 above)

81.5 - L @Seahawks

109.8 - W Jets

88.8 - L @Lions (elite D)

151.2 - W @Bears

138.7 - W Vikings

99.7 - W @ Dolphins (elite D)

154.5 - W Panthers

93.7 - L @Saints

Rivers (3 games under 100, 5 above)

75.9 - L @Arizona

124.2 - W Seahawks

131.4 - W @Bills (elite D)

130.0 - W Jaguars

125.3 - W Jets

123.8 - W @Raiders

83.4 - L Chiefs (elite D)

92.7 - L @Broncos (elite D)

Wilson (2 games under 100, 5 above)

110.9 - W Packers (top secondary)

119.1 - L @Chargers (top secondary)

99.9 - W Broncos (elite D)

127.3 - W @Redskins

47.6 - L Cowboys

110.1 - L @Rams

77.5 - W @Panthers

Brady (3 games under 100, 5 above)

69.7 - L @Dolphins (elite D)

103.1 - W @Vikings

91.5 - W Raiders

59.9 - L @Chiefs (elite D)

110.7 - W Bengals

139.6 - W @Bills (elite D)

103.5 - W Jets

148.4 - W Bears

Manning (1 game under 100, 6 above)

111.9 - W Colts

143.9 - W Chiefs (elite D)

85.7 - L @Seahawks

110.2 - W Cardinals

117.9 - W @Jets

157.2 - W 49ers (elite D)

124.2 - W Chargers (top secondary was without best CB)

Roethlisberger (2 games under 100, 6 above)

100.7 - W Browns

64.8 - L @Ravens

112.6 - W @Panthers

120.2 - L Bucs

103.1 - W @Jaguars

64.4 - L @Browns

113.8 - W Texans

150.6 - W Colts

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ESPN: Rob Gronkowski recorded his 13th game with 2+ rec TD on Sunday. Only player with more through 5 seasons? Jerry Rice - 17

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Washington Post:

"The 5-3 Packers' five wins over the Jets, Bears, Vikings, Dolphins and Panthers aren’t that impressive. Overall, they have played a schedule where their opponent is 1.2 points per game worse than average, and they have only beaten them by 3.9 points per game."

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Detroit News:

Without a running game, the Chargers are not quite as potent on offense

Washington Post:

Rookie RB Branden Oliver couldn’t find any running room during Thursday night’s loss at Denver after being productive earlier in the season. The Chargers need to be able to run the ball effectively to give QB Philip Rivers some help.

Business Insider:

The Chargers run game is an issue. They had 21 yards on their first 13 rushing attempts in Week 8.