It took a record-setting performance to end Peyton Manning's reign as the NFL's Most Valuable Player.

Seattle running back Shaun Alexander, who registered a league-record 28 touchdowns and led the NFL in rushing with 1,880 yards, was named the league's MVP in the Associated Press vote of sportswriters and broadcasts. Alexander outpolled Manning, the Indianapolis Colts quarterback who won the award the past two seasons, 19-13.

New England quarterback Tom Brady was third in the balloting with 10 votes followed by New York Giants running back Tiki Barber (six) and Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer (two).

Manning won the MVP award outright last season and shared it with Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair in 2003.

Coach Tony Dungy supported Manning's bid to join Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre as the only players in NFL history to win three consecutive MVPs. He cast his vote for Manning in the Maxwell Football Club awards.

"I think he does as much for our team as anybody, and I think we've got one of the better teams in the league,'' Dungy told The Indianapolis Star. "So it's hard to vote against that if you're saying that's what makes you valuable.''

Manning was unavailable for comment.

Alexander spearheaded the Seahawks' rise to the best record in the NFC, 13-3, including a victory over the league's only 14-2 team, the Colts. With free agency on the horizon, Alexander could parlay his sensational year into unprecedented riches.