By Zuri Berry for Boston.com

Tom Brady has dazzled this season with his moxie. The fans have responded in kind. Against the Houston Texans, after scrambling for a 6-yard gain and a first down, he got up from the turf and roared, to the delight of the crowd, throwing in a couple of punches to no one for extra measure. Chants of "M-V-P" followed.

In his 13th season, the Patriots quarterback is in the throes of another spectacular run and will most certainly be a candidate for the league's top individual prize. But he's got some good competition before we put a crown on his head.

Let's take a look at the candidates.