Quarterback Kurt Warner is completing 70 percent of his passes for the 4-2 Cardinals. Donald Miralle/Getty Images Bucky Brooks's Mailbag Have questions or feedback? E-mail Bucky Brooks. Name: Email: Hometown: Question: SEND

Not often does a 37-year old player get a chance to ride off into the sunset on the heels of a great season, but if Kurt Warner decides to hang up the cleats after this season, he may walk away clutching an MVP award as well.

Warner, a two-time league MVP, has been phenomenal this season in leading the Cardinals to a 4-2 record. His 1,708 passing yards rank second in the league, and he is one of only five passers in the league with a passer rating over 100.0 (102.8). While we have come to expect those kinds of numbers from Warner, his performance this season has been nothing short of amazing considering his journey from veteran backup to unlikely starter.

"He has been unbelievable," said an AFC scout. "If he continues to stay healthy, he should garner all kinds of postseason honors."

Warner entered training camp expected to back up the team's anointed franchise quarterback (Matt Leinart), but wound up winning the job after outplaying the youngster during the preseason. Though Warner had played exceptionally well in guiding the team to a 8-8 record last season after taking over for an injured Leinart, few expected the 11-year veteran to be under center when the Cardinals opened this season against the 49ers.

"It seemed unlikely that he was going to be the guy," said an NFC personnel director. "But he is showing that he was the right guy to lead their team."

The gamble to go with the veteran has paid off for the Cardinals as Warner has directed the league's second-ranked scoring offense with impressive efficiency. Warner has completed 70 percent of his passes and tallied 12 touchdowns through six games. Those numbers become more remarkable when you consider he is playing without one of his Pro Bowl receivers (Anquan Boldin) in the lineup.

In the two games since Boldin's injury, Warner has completed over 76 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and only one interception. In true MVP fashion, Warner has not only raised the level of his game, but gotten his teammates to play at a higher level. Second-year receiver Steve Breaston has emerged as a star. The former Michigan standout has 24 receptions in the past three games, including 15 in the past two games. In addition, the Cardinals have put up over 30 points in back-to-back wins over a pair of playoff contenders (Bills and Cowboys).

With Warner playing some of the best ball of his career, the Cardinals have gotten off to their best start since 2002 and have a legitimate chance to capture their first-ever NFC West division title. If the three-time Pro Bowler can pull off that unlikely feat for a perennially downtrodden franchise, he deserves to be recognized as the league's most valuable player.

MVP

1. Trent Edwards, QB, Bills (Last week's ranking: 5): The Bills' budding superstar has rallied the team in three of their four victories. With a looming showdown with the Chargers, the Bills need Edwards to pick up where he left off prior to his concussion.

2. Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins (3): The league's leading rusher has topped the century mark in three consecutive games. His re-emergence as a premiere back has ignited the Redskins' surprisingly hot start.

3. Jay Cutler, QB, Broncos (1): The Broncos star quarterback has cooled off in recent weeks, but his solid play under center is the primary reason the team leads the AFC West.

4. Drew Brees, QB, Saints (NR): After passing for more than 300 yards for the fifth time in six starts, Brees is on track to surpass Dan Marino's single-season passing record of 5,084 yards.

5. Kurt Warner, QB, Cardinals (NR)

Offensive Player of the Year

1. Drew Brees, QB, Saints (1)

2. Kurt Warner, QB, Cardinals (2)

3. Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers (NR): The brash signal caller has passed for three touchdowns in four games and leads the league with a 109.1 passer rating.

4. Ronnie Brown, RB, Dolphins (3): The versatile playmaker didn't play a starring role in the team's "Wildcat" package, but he scored for the fourth consecutive week and finished with 93 yards total offense.

5. Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins (NR)