OPINION

By Evan Silva

updated 11:45 p.m. ET Nov. 2, 2009

Evan Silva

Quarterback: Peyton Manning
Indianapolis is undefeated and has the league's No. 1 passing offense, giving Manning the edge over Drew Brees, Tom Brady, and Matt Schaub. Manning has dominated despite being without No. 2 wideout Anthony Gonzalez (knee) for much of the season.

Running Back: Adrian Peterson
Peterson is on pace for nearly 2,000 total yards and is becoming a complete player, catching more passes than ever. We haven't seen a more consistently dominant runner since Eric Dickerson.

Running Back: Cedric Benson
Benson entered Cincinnati's Week 8 bye as the NFL's leading rusher. He is running with more power and speed than he ever showed in three years with the Bears.

Receiver: Andre Johnson
The NFL's leading receiver is averaging a career-high 15.8 yards per reception and means more to his team than any wideout in the league. Johnson makes everyone around him better.

Receiver: Chad Ochocinco
No. 85 was left for dead by observers after a lost 2008 season, but he's been exceptionally quick out of his breaks this year and torched some of the NFL's top secondaries at all three levels.

Tight End: Vernon Davis
Considered a "bust" in his first three seasons, Davis has emerged as a dominant red-zone force in his fourth year. He leads the NFL in receiving touchdowns, is a dominant blocker, and has been a big-play machine for coach Mike Singletary's balanced offense.

Offensive Tackle: Max Starks
Pittsburgh has successively changed its offensive approach from run-heavy to pass-first thanks to Starks' splendid protection of Ben Roethlisberger's blind side. Starks held Jared Allen, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Shawne Merriman, and Antwan Odom without a sack in the season's first half.

Guard: Jahri Evans
Evans and Carl Nicks, both 26 years old, form the most promising duo of guards in the league. Evans is a special athlete with plenty of strength to drive block. He's one of the main reasons New Orleans leads the NFL in rushing touchdowns.

Center: Nick Mangold
Mangold will likely be the next Jet to receive a contract extension. The 29th overall pick in 2006 is highly intelligent and has eased raw rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez's transition to the pros. Mangold is rarely defeated at the point of attack, even by hulking nose tackles.

Guard: Leonard Davis
No NFC team averages more yards per carry than the Cowboys. A mauling road-grater, Davis' 360 pounds on a 6-foot-6 frame pave the way. He also has deceptively quick feet, having played left tackle earlier in his career.

Offensive Tackle: Ryan Clady
Just a season and a half removed from Boise State, Clady is the NFL's premier blind-side tackle. He's helped keep Kyle Orton's jersey clean all year.

Defensive End: Jared Allen
A ferocious up-field rusher, Allen plays with a non-stop motor and uses freakish athleticism to blow past offensive tackles. Not just a one-dimensional "finesse" end, Allen also packs enough power to occasionally collapse the pocket with a bull rush. He leads the NFL in sacks.

Defensive End: Dwight Freeney
Freeney has at least one sack in every game despite playing through multiple injuries. Consistent pressure from the front four has allowed Indianapolis to field the toughest pass defense in the league, even with rookie corners Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey forced into major roles.

Defensive Tackle: Casey Hampton
Hampton's productivity doesn't show in the box score because his duties involve more gap control than penetration, but he has commanded double teams all season. Consequently, the Steelers have the league's best run defense.

Defensive Tackle: Albert Haynesworth
The Redskins are a bad team, but have a top-five defense. Haynesworth hasn't mailed it in after signing his $100 million contract, and commands enough attention from opponents for DE Andre Carter to rank among the league's sack leaders. Big Albert has three sacks himself.

Outside Linebacker: Elvis Dumervil
A position switch from defensive end to outside rusher in Denver's new 3-4 scheme was just what the doctor ordered for Dumervil. Undersized but unrelenting, the explosive weak-side linebacker leads the AFC in sacks.

Inside Linebacker: Patrick Willis
Willis has been the game's best inside 'backer since being drafted 11th overall in 2006. Annually among the NFL's tackle leaders, Willis keys a defense that permits a league-low 3.2 yards per rush attempt. He has also been productive in coverage and on blitzes.

Outside Linebacker: Brian Cushing
The lone rookie midseason All-Pro, Cushing has made an immediate impact for a defense that's been one of the league's hardest to run against over the last month. He leads the Texans in tackles and provides a physical presence on the strong side.

Cornerback: Darrelle Revis
The Jets use Revis to "shadow" No. 1 receivers all over the field. He has checked Randy Moss, Marques Colston, Andre Johnson, Terrell Owens, and Ted Ginn during the first half, while also making big plays in coverage.

Cornerback: Corey Webster
Opponents have simply stopped throwing at Webster, who locks down one side of the field. He is also a sure tackler, like most defensive backs that once played for Nick Saban (Webster did at LSU).

Safety: Darren Sharper

Slide show   Week in Sports Pictures Pain on the skating rink, flying high on the hardwood, upsets on the football field, and more. more photos

A pick-six machine, Sharper has returned three of his NFC-leading seven interceptions for touchdowns. While he's more of a gambler than a true shutdown force in "center field," Sharper has helped New Orleans become one of the stingiest teams against the pass.

Safety: Brandon Meriweather
With Meriweather patrolling the deep middle, New England is a top-five team against the pass. The Pats were victimized by deep balls last season (12 completions of 40 or more yards allowed), but have turned it around (just one over 40 this year) thanks to Meriweather's terrific range and closing speed.

Kicker: Ryan Longwell
Longwell has missed just one kick all season -- on a fluky block by 49ers defensive lineman Ray McDonald in Week 3. He is also second in the league in scoring.

Punter: Shane Lechler
Annually the league's best punter, Lechler tops the NFL rankings in net yards per punt (44.9) and gross average (52.3). His 70-yarder in Week 2 ties Seattle's Jon Ryan for the longest in the league this season.

Kick Returner: Josh Cribbs
Cleveland's jack-of-all trades has scored on both a punt and kick return. Cribbs' 27.7 kickoff return average ranks second in the NFL among players with 20 or more opportunities, and he is second in punt return average (16.4).

Also on NBCSports.com Golf: Tiger injured in car crash  |  Special section Predictions 101: Florida won't flop against FSU PFT's Picks: Colts, Saints to finally taste defeat   Video: Top dog at National Dog Show? Twitter: Follow us @nbc_sports

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Shaky state of the Steelers PFT: Roethlisberger may sit out vs. Ravens   PFTV: Patriots will prove devilish for Saints PFT’s Picks: Colts, Saints to finally taste defeat PFT: Giants' playoff hopes now in big trouble Broncos' losing streak over, red zone troubles on December means questions for Romo, Cowboys Giants at crossroads with 6-5 record Pompei: Like it or not, Lions to stay on Thanksgiving PFT: Adrian Peterson questionable for Sunday NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: