NFL MVP tracker: Pair of former Super Bowl heroes stepping up

From Week 1 through Week 17, USA TODAY Sports' NFL staff will be handicapping the race for league MVP.

It's obviously early, which is why none of our top three finishers in Week 1 — Antonio Brown, Jameis Winston and Drew Brees — even earned a vote in Week 2. A first-place vote is worth five points, a second-place vote is worth three, and a third-place vote is worth one.

Our MVP tracker through Week 2's games:

1. QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (18 points): For all of his accomplishments, he's spent most of his career operating in the shadows of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. But right now, Big Ben and his undefeated team are commanding the spotlight. And he leads the NFL with six TD passes through two weeks, the kind of production that should continue to finally cement him as an elite QB and may help him win his first MVP in his 13th season. Last week: T4

USA TODAY Sports' Week 3 NFL picks

2. OLB Von Miller, Denver Broncos (14 points): The reigning Super Bowl MVP has 20 sacks in his last 21 games (including playoffs) and proved to be a closer once again Sunday, when his strip-sack of Andrew Luck led to a game-sealing TD for the 2-0 Broncos. Last week: unranked

3. QB Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (4 points): He's trying to become the first MVP since Manning in 2009 to win the award in consecutive seasons. Despite taking a beating in Week 1, Newton bounced back with a four-TD effort Sunday and is already reaping the benefits of having WR Kelvin Benjamin back in the lineup. Last week: unranked

T4. WR Stefon Diggs, Minnesota Vikings (3 points): The NFL's receiving leader has 59 more yards than anyone else heading into Week 3. And with RB Adrian Peterson gone for the foreseeable future, Diggs may continue to be the focal point of Minnesota's offensive attack. Last week: unranked

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T4. QB Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (3 points): It seems he's returning to form after appearing to be off his game for most of 2015. Ryan ranks either first or second in passing yards (730), TDs (5) and QB rating (121.4) to date. Last week: unranked

Others receiving votes: DeAndre Hopkins (1 point), Philip Rivers (1), DeAngelo Williams (1)

Dropped out: Antonio Brown, Jameis Winston, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers

— Week 1 MVP rankings (Antonio Brown)

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PHOTOS: Week 3 games ranked by watchability