Predictions for End of Season Awards
As the regular season comes to an end in the next couple of weeks, there are going to be talks about who should win what award. These are my predictions for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for each award.
MVP: Aaron Rodgers, QB
Heading into the season, Rodgers had a lot of offseason turmoil that led to many people thinking he wouldn't even play for the Green Bay Packers again. Sure enough, he showed up to training camp ready to play. He currently has 3,487 passing yards with 30 TD’s and only 4 INTS. The Packers are 11-3 and in first place in the NFC right now with Rodgers playing out of his mind. He’s looking to become the first back-to-back MVP since Peyton Manning in ‘08-’09.
Runners up: Jonathan Taylor RB, Justin Herbert QB
OPOTY: Cooper Kupp, WR
Cooper Kupp is having a career year leading the NFL in REC (122), YDS (1625), and TD (14). Kupp has been thriving with Stafford running the explosive Rams offense thanks to McVay’s play calling. During their past game, Kupp broke the single season receptions record in Rams franchise history with 120 receptions. The record was held by Hall of Fame Isaac Bruce. Kupp looks to break Calvin Johnsons single season reception yards record of 1,964 yards, only 339 yards away.
Runners up: Jonathan Taylor RB, Deebo Samuel WR/RB
DPOTY: TJ Watt, OLB
Every year since coming into the league, Watt has just improved in sacks. Last year, he finished with 15 sacks and this year, with 3 more games to play, he sits at 17.5 which is the most in the NFL. Let’s not forget he also leads the league in QB hits with 30. Adding onto his impressive sacks this season, he also has 4 forced fumbles to go along with the 53 tackles he’s made.
Runners up: Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs
OROTY: Mac Jones, QB
In a tight race between Mac Jones and Ja’Marr Chase, Jones just edges out Chase. With 3,168 yards, Jones leads all rookie QB’s in yards as well as touchdowns with 18. His completion percentage is at 69% and if it stays like that, it would be the highest rookie QB percentage in NFL history. Dad Prescott ended his rookie year with a 67.8%.
Runners up: Ja’Marr Chase WR, Creed Humphrey C
DROTY: Micah Parsons, OLB
Entering the NFL, Parsons had an immediate impact on the Cowboys with 12 sacks and 76 tackles. Even though he’s getting a lot of talk about his sacks, Parsons can do it all from dropping into coverage, making a tackle on the opposite sideline, or stuffing a run at the line. He is a truly versatile player and is really only 1-3 years away from being a DPOTY.
Runners up: Patrick Surtain II CB, Odafe Oweh OLB
CPOTY: Joe Burrow, QB
After tearing his ACL and MCL, everyone thought that the Bengals should draft a linemen to guard Burrow and aid him easing back into the league. Instead, the Bengals drafted a WR in Ja’Marr Chase and that proved to not be such a bad option. In 10 games last year, Burrow had 2,688 yards and 13 touchdowns. So far this season, Burrow has 3,640 yards and 26 touchdowns while completing 68.7% of his passes.
Runners up: Nick Bosa DE, Dak Prescott QB
Coach of the Year: Bill Belichick
After a not so Patriots type year last year (7-9), New England went all out in the offseason signing Hunter Henry, Matthew Judon, and other major acquisitions. They then drafted QB Mac Jones out of Alabama in hopes to find their new franchise quarterback. This year, the team looks completely different from last year playing better on both sides of the ball. Belichick is doing what he does best with Jones and he’s setting him up to be one of the best young QB’s in the league.
Runners up: Matt LeFleur, Zac Taylor
ALL IMAGES FROM Getty Images