With the NFL regular season nearing a close, the MVP race is heating up. No player has run away from the rest of the pack as a clear favorite just yet, but there is some exceptional talent this year. Some of the early frontrunners have fallen off due to poor play or injury, making the NFL’s most prestigious award up for grabs with only five weeks left in the regular season. With that said, let us take stock of the five players most likely to take home the hardware. These players are my frontrunners through the first 13 weeks, with much subject to change.

1. Tom Brady — Quarterback — Tampa Bay Buccaneers

At age 44 Brady is still playing incredible football, throwing for 3,771 yards and 34 touchdowns against only ten interceptions. Brady puts up these strong stats while leading the Buccaneers to a 9–3 record, leaving the Bucs at the top of the NFC South and a strong contender to nab the one seed going into the playoffs. Brady has weapons on the offensive side of the ball at his disposal, even after the suspension of Antonio Brown, and has the ability to seemingly always find the right target. Not only is Brady a strong MVP candidate, but with Evans, Fournettte, Godwin and Gronk, the team is positioned well for the playoffs. With a favorable schedule to finish out the season, the likelihood Brady continues to put up MVP numbers is high just like his chances of taking home the hardware.

2. Aaron Rodgers — Quarterback — Green Bay Packers

Rodgers’ play has not dropped off after an MVP campaign last season. While the Packers’ star’s numbers are not quite as prolific, he is a real threat to be the first player to win back-to-back MVPs since Peyton Manning in the 2008 and 2009 regular seasons. This season, Rodgers racked up 2,878 yards passing with 23 touchdowns on only four interceptions so far. Despite missing one game after testing positive for COVID-19 this year, Rodgers’ generally stellar play through the rest of the season keeps him in the thick of the race.

3. Kyler Murray — Quarterback — Arizona Cardinals

Murray looked like the favorite for the award until missing the entire month of Nov. due to injury. Still, his exceptional play throughout the season keeps him in the running if he has a great finish to the year and the 10–2 Cardinals remain at the top of the NFC. Murray currently has 2,399 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions as well as 206 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. These stats would be impressive if Kyler had played the whole season, let alone after missing threegames. Even with the missed time, Murray still has a good shot at his first ever MVP if he finished the season strong.

4. Jonathan Taylor — Running Back — Indianapolis Colts

The only running back on my list is Jonathan Taylor, who burst into the conversation with a historic game against the Buffalo Bills in week 11. Taylor finished that game with 204 total yards and five touchdowns and has not looked back since. Right now he has 1,648 all purpose yards and 18 touchdowns and has the Colts at 7–6 and in the thick of the playoff race. If Taylor can keep his hot streak going to finish the season, he has an opportunity to become the first running back to win an MVP since Adrian Peterson in 2012.

5. Lamar Jackson — Quarterback — Baltimore Ravens

The best dual threat quarterback in the league, Jackson has piloted the Ravens to an 8–4 record behind 2,865 yards passing, 16 touchdowns and 13 interceptions to go along with 762 yards and two touchdowns rushing. While his interception totals are high, Jackson has still been effective through the air and keeps the Ravens in contention for the AFC’s number one seed. If Jackson can keep winning games and cut down the turnovers, he is a candidate to steal the award from the other players on this list.

Honorable Mention: Josh Allen — Quarterback — Buffalo Bills

While Allen was an early favorite to win the award, some bad games by both him and his team have pushed him out of my top five. That said, his numbers are up there with the other players on this list so if he can right the ship and win the AFC East title, he still has a chance to win his first MVP this year.