Heading into Week 14, the Atlanta Falcons are perhaps the most surprising team in the NFL. At the start of the season, the idea of the Falcons winning eight of their first 12 games would have raised an eyebrow or two. But the emergence of quarterback Michael Vick has propelled the Falcons to the top of NFC playoff contention.

	Michael Vick had 173 yards rushing and 173 yards passing on Sunday.

With 648 yards rushing this season, including a record-setting 173 yards against Minnesota on Sunday, Vick has rushed for more yards in half the carries (80) than Atlanta's big-time free-agent acquisition, Warrick Dunn (160 carries for 627 yards).

Vick's eight rushing touchdowns are just two shy of his passing touchdowns (10). And he's completing nearly 60 percent of his passes to a wide-receiving corps that isn't exactly full of household names.

Unlike most quarterbacks, when Vick is on the run, it doesn't necessarily mean offensive chaos. What appear to be mad scrambles may actually be plays designed to take advantage of Vick's mobility.

Despite being a quarterback, Vick is one of the league's most dangerous runners. His ability to dodge defenders with his quickness and agility has put him on the brink of redefining the quarterback position.

Yet, to become a complete player, Vick has made it a priority to become a better pocket passer. He wants to prove that he's a runner who can play quarterback as well as a quarterback who can run. He has an 87.1 quarterback rating and has thrown only three interceptions -- a great number for such a young quarterback.

Falcons Pro Bowl linebacker Keith Brooking, a recent guest on my radio program, said he got a sense of what it's like to defend Vick during preseason camp. Although it's nearly impossible to tackle Vick when he breaks out of the pocket, Brooking said it's great practice because it makes facing other opponents easier. If he can get close to Vick, he can get to anyone else.

Another recent guest, Peter King of Sports Illustrated, spent some time with Vick over the summer and deemed him an "absolute treasure." King praised him for his discipline and his attention to the tiniest details learning his trade. King also said that while Vikings running back Michael Bennett is the fastest player in the NFL, many scouts believe Vick could beat anybody in a foot race.

In a 16-game schedule, I wouldn't be surprised to see Vick post a 1,000-yard rushing season in the near future, if he and Reeves want it.

Vick is second only to former Bears QB Bobby Douglass in single-season rushing yards for a quarterback. In 1972, Douglass rushed for 968 yards in a 14-game schedule. In a 16-game schedule, I wouldn't be surprised to see Vick post a 1,000-yard rushing season in the near future, if he and coach Dan Reeves want it.

With four weeks remaining in the NFL season, Vick is certainly worthy of MVP consideration. But this season he has some viable competition. If the Green Bay Packers finish with the best record, it'd be tough not to give the vote to Brett Favre.

The Kansas City Chiefs are just two games shy of a wild-card spot, so you can't ignore the record-setting efforts of Priest Holmes. And if Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon can surpass some of Dan Marino's numbers, Gannon deserves serious consideration.

But if Vick continues his dominance and the Falcons maintain their current eight-game unbeaten streak, Vick could be the MVP.

And this could be just the beginning. We could be on the verge of the NFL's MVP becoming Michael Vick's Place.