Ultimate MVP: Tom Brady ranks ahead of other undefeated QBs

The NFL season has officially passed its halfway point, and the leading candidates for the league's top individual award are making their cases. In this passer-friendly era, it should come as no surprise that the top MVP resumes belong to quarterbacks.

Here's a look at the top five MVP candidates - ranked in order - after the season's first nine weeks.

1. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
Pass yards: 2,709 | Comp.%: 68.6 | TD-INT: 22-2

Brady was supposed to miss the first month of the season due to suspension, but he was on the field in Week 1 and has been on a mission. In helping the Patriots to an 8-0 start, Brady has thrown for at least 275 yards and multiple touchdowns in every game.

The league's MVP in 2007 and 2010, Brady is playing some of the best football of his career as a 38-year-old.

2. Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals
Pass yards: 2,226 | Comp.%: 67.4 | TD-INT: 18-4

Thursday was the night Dalton was supposed to crumble and fall out of the MVP race, but he answered the bell in prime-time with a turnover-free three-touchdown performance against the Cleveland Browns to get the Bengals to 8-0.

Dalton has the weapons to put up big numbers in Cincinnati's electrifying offense, and he'll have an opportunity to continue to exorcise his demons with back-to-back prime-time matchups in Weeks 10 and 11.

3. Cam Newton, QB, Panthers
Pass yards: 1,820 | Comp.%: 53.7 | TD-INT: 14-9

Newton's passing numbers don't jump off the page like those of the others on this list, but they don't reflect the damage he's been able to do with his legs. The man they call "Superman" has picked up 343 yards and five scores on the ground.

But Newton's biggest contribution to the team has been as a leader, and a field general, guiding the Panthers to their first 8-0 start in franchise history.

4. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
Pass yards: 1,937 | Comp.%: 64.7 | TD-INT: 19-3

Rodgers' numbers aren't far off from where they were at this point a year ago in what was his second MVP season. That's impressive given what he's had to work with. Top receiver Jordy Nelson was lost for the year with a preseason knee injury and his next-best options, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams, have each dealt with injuries of their own.

Maybe the most impressive feat for Rodgers this season is that he was able to pluck James Jones off the scrap heap and turn him into a viable offensive weapon.

5. Carson Palmer, QB, Cardinals
Pass yards: 2,386 | Comp.%: 64.6 | TD-INT: 20-6

The resurgence of Chris Johnson as a viable rusher has made plenty of headlines across the league, but make no mistake, the Arizona offense runs through Palmer.

Over the last two seasons, the Cardinals are 12-2 when Palmer starts, and 5-5 when he doesn't. He's helped make Arizona one of the top teams in the NFC and a legitimate Super Bowl contender.