The NFL regular season is winding down, and with that, MVP candidates emerge. Every team relies on a certain player to get the job done week in and week out, but only a few are worthy of this recognition. Standouts so far have been Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Jonathan Taylor.

Tom Brady:
Tom Brady has been very impressive so far this season. At the age of 44, he’s still among the best quarterbacks in the league. Going into Week 15, Brady ranks first in passing yards, passing touchdowns and QBR. He’s completed 68.2% of his passes, which ranks sixth in the NFL, as well as leading his team as the current number two seed in the NFC. Although Brady has had some absences around him, he still has been able to produce impressive numbers. Antonio Brown has missed eight games so far this season and will continue to as he serves his suspension. Rob Gronkowski has also missed five games and has been one of Brady’s favorite red zone targets this season. Brady has been doubted for several years due to his age, yet he continues to exceed expectations. Brady is currently the odds on favorite to take home his fourth MVP award, and this would be his first in Tampa Bay.

Aaron Rodgers:
Aaron Rodgers, another older quarterback in the league, has elevated his play after a rocky start to the season. At the age of 38, Rodgers has continued to prove that he is one of the greatest talents the NFL has ever seen. He is tied for sixth in touchdowns this season despite missing a game. He has also only thrown four interceptions which ranks him first among starting quarterbacks. Alongside Davante Adams and Aaron Jones, Rodgers has led the Green Bay Packers to the one seed in the NFC thus far. The offseason was plagued by his uncertain future and absence from the team, yet he has been able to play at the same elite level that he has in past seasons. His future still may be in question, but he will continue to win football games for the Packers this season in hopes of making it past the NFC title game that has haunted them recently.

Jonathan Taylor:
Jonathan Taylor has exploded in his sophomore season thus far behind a good offensive line that has missed some key pieces this season. Taylor currently has the rushing title all to himself, with the next closest rusher 300 yards behind. He also leads the league in rushing touchdowns, propelling the Colts to a possible wild card game in January. Taylor is the perfect mold between power and agility, breaking free for five 40+ yard runs, as well as running over any defender in his way. Taylor has turned a decent team into playoff contenders, making teams fear their offense with a mediocre quarterback in Carson Wentz. His big-play ability and unrivaled ability to run the ball this season have cemented him in the MVP race. Running backs typically aren’t in the conversation towards the end of the season, but I believe Jonathan Taylor could be the first running back since Adrian Peterson in 2012 to take home the award.