The NFL awards ceremony is right around the corner so I will give you my predictions for who will win MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Offensive Rookie of the Year, and Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Starting off with MVP, I believe it’s a two player race between Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes and Green Bay Packers quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. I think that with Rodgers 48 touchdowns and just under 4300 yards passing he will edge out Mahomes. The Packers played in a tougher division this season and at his age, no one expected him to play the level he did. Maybe, drafting Jordan Love was a good idea to light a fire under is ass.
Defensive Player of the Year was really close with a few games remaining but, Pittsburgh edge rusher, T.J Watt pulled away with the award. This season, Watt lead the league in sacks with 15 while also, accumulating 48 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 interception. The only other option for this award is Aaron Donald but, Watt has had the far superior season.
Now, this one took a lot of thinking but, Offensive Player of the Year should goto Tennessee Titans running back, Derrick Henry. Henry rushed for 2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns behind an offensive line that was missing Jack Conklin and Taylor Lewan, their starting tackles from last year. He is a huge reason the Titans even made the playoffs this year.
Absolute no brainer right here for Comeback Player of the Year. It has to goto Washington quarterback, Alex Smith. It was a miracle he walked. Then it was a miracle that he suited up and practiced. We all thought that was amazing, then he played in 8 games this year, passing for 1,582 yards. The true meaning of an inspiring, comeback story.
Coach of the year is a tough category and if the Dolphins made the playoffs I would say Brian Flores should win it because, he made tons of moves to make them a better team with a rotating quarterback position but, because they didn’t make the post season I think Browns coach Kevin Stefanski. He led the Browns to their first playoff win in years and restored hope in Cleveland, all in his first year.
As a Vikings fan, I really wish Stefanski was still on the staff. Huge loss but, the Browns are hard to cheer against.
These next two selections maybe biased but, I believe these two guys should win their respected awards. Offensive Rookie of the Year should goto Vikings receiver, Justin Jefferson. Jefferson recorded 1400 yards, 88 catches, and 7 touchdowns while finishing 4th in receiving across the league behind Stefon Diggs, Travis Kelce, and Deandre Hopkins. While I think the award will goto Chargers quarterback, Justin Herbert because, of quarterback bias but, Jefferson is more deserving.
Last, is the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. While I have a strong gut feeling that Chase Young will win it, I think that Panthers safety, Jeremy Chinn should be the recipient of the award. Chinn recorded 117 tackles, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 1 interception, and 2 touchdowns. He didn’t miss any games this season, Chase Young did. Chinn was Carolina’s best defender this season and in the next few years will be an elite safety in this league.