Drew Brees has all but wrapped up the MVP award after completing 30-of-40 passes for 351 yards and two touchdowns as the New Orleans Saints destroyed the Detroit Lions 42-7 this past Sunday at Ford Field.

The Saints missed the playoffs, but Brees has thrown for 4,683 yards and 30 touchdowns, and continues to compete on every play. The same can't be said of Kurt Warner of the Arizona Cardinals. Warner wanted no part of the bone-chilling cold in New England as his Cardinals rolled over to the New England Patriots 47-7 in a game that was over after the first five minutes.

Warner threw for 30 yards in that game and all of the foolish talk about him being in contention for the MVP likely died. He looked on in a fog from the sideline and watched his team quit against the defending AFC champions.

The Cardinals deserve credit for making the playoffs in the weak NFC West, but Warner lacked leadership qualities in several embarrassing losses this season. Warner should be commended for an outstanding statistical season and for passing for 4,320 yards and 26 touchdowns, but he is not in the same league as Brees, who clearly proved to be the best quarterback in 2008.

Those who don't wish to vote for Brees should instead vote for Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware, not Warner. Ware leads the Cowboys defense with 20 sacks.

Giants' Tuck could use a break
No player deserves a few weeks off more than New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck. He never takes a play off and was the key reason that the Giants defense remained consistent throughout the course of their difficult schedule.

Tuck has become a leader on and off the field for the Giants due to the retirement of Michael Strahan. Head coach Tom Coughlin shouldn’t dress Tuck for this week's upcoming game at Minnesota and he must get all the treatment available by the Giants training staff during the much needed bye week to assure that he is close to 100 percent heading into the playoffs.

Brandon Jacobs also should watch in street clothes after scoring three touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers last Sunday night and helping the Giants secure home-field advantage throughout the entire NFC postseason.

Chargers still look Super
The San Diego Chargers begin their Super Bowl journey this Sunday night at home against the Denver Broncos. I have repeatedly stated that the Chargers have championship talent all over their roster and with a victory against the Broncos they will win the AFC West and secure a first-round home game in the playoffs.

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I expect them to bury Denver as the Broncos seem bent on blowing a three-game lead. Phillip Rivers was spectacular as the Chargers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 41-24 to stay alive in the playoff race, completing 21 of 31 passes for 287 yards and 4 touchdowns. Rivers always gets fired up to play Jay Cutler and the Broncos, and I expect him to lead his team to another big win and have them emotionally prepared for the playoffs.

San Diego has too much talent to miss the playoffs and will be playing with little to no pressure in the first round (at home) if they take care of the Broncos and re-energize their fan base.

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