2016 NFL Midseason Awards

2016 NFL Midseason awards!

Oh yeah! It’s that time of the year for midseason awards! Who’s all hype? Who’s under the radar? Who cares! It’s only midseason! But I think there are some clear cut winners, and some with more time will take the award from these projected winners.  So without further ado, here are my midseason award winners and runner ups!

MVP- Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons

Yep, Matty ice is back and leading his team to relevancy again. His defense ranks 30th in the league which is mostly why they are always in such tight games down the stretch. His 5-3 record doesn’t scream MVP, but his league leading 2,636 passing yards and 19 TDs definitely do.

Runner up: Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots

Even though Brady has only played a quarter of games so far this season, his numbers are undeniable. He has yet to throw an INT and already has 12 passing TDs, along with 1,319 passing yards. I’ve said in previous blogs, Brady is playing his best football ever and it’s a great time to be a Pats fan.

Offensive Player of the Year: David Johnson, RB, Arizona
Cardinals

Johnson leads the NFL in scrimmage yards with 1,112. The rest of the Cardinals offensive scrimmage yards is 2,042! This guy is putting these wounded birds on his back, literally!  Must be pretty nice to have a guy to lean on day in and day out..so with that I give you your OPOY.

Runner up: Demarco Murray, RB, Tennessee Titans

We have another workhorse tailback who is the offense’s key go to player. Murray is second in the NFL in rushing yards and third in rushing TDs (756, 6).  He’s carrying the ball more than 20 times a game, and bulldozing over defenders effortlessly. His numbers are projected to nearly match his 2014 campaign where he was the OPOY.

Defensive Player of the Year: Marcus Peters, CB, Kansas City Chiefs

Peters is one of the best young talents in the NFL.  He is the league leader in and INTs and also has 16 pass deflections! This comes to no surprise since Peters put up similar numbers last year and shutdown some of the league’s top wide outs. However, some were quick to call it a fluke year or to expect a sophomore slump as more teams looked to expose this young CB. Given the evidence, he is hurdling over    that sophomore slump and other defensive backs to becoming one of the league’s top shutdown cornerbacks.

Runner up: Leonard Williams, DT, New York Jets

Ok, now I’m aware his team is hot garbage and has vastly underperformed so far this year. Regardless of all that, no one can deny what a monster year this guy is having. He has been un-guardable playing as a interior defensive lineman. Williams has 6 sacks and 2 forced fumbles this season. Now one may argue that Cliff Avril’s 7.5 sacks is more worthy, but not me. Avril has loads of help on all levels on the Seattle defense. Williams has dominated since switching from DE to DT and is a big part of the Jets run defense being formidable.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Zeke has been a nonstop show stopper since the season started. Not only does he lead the league in rushing yards, but he is the heart of the Dallas Cowboys offense.  He allows and gives Dak the luxury of taking the pressure off him because he is the one to lean on throughout the game. This guy gives the Cowboys the total package, he produces from them is in the passing game as well. Whether he’s going out for catches and making plays in the open space or standing next to Dak in pass pro formation blocking for him.

Runner up: Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys

I know, I know how lame of me to pick TWO Cowboys for this award. Believe me it pains me to write this and let alone admit what the Cowboys are right now and becoming. Now, everything I said about Zeke being Daks crutch is true, BUT last week’s game versus the Eagles in prime time changed my mind. Yes, I said Wentz is the better QB and still stand by that, but that’s another discussion l and right now we’re discussing Dak. In a game where he underperformed and tried forcing a lot of balls in the air, he came in the clutch for this team when they needed it most. The Cowboys needed Dak to tie the game before the end of regulation and he did. Then, when they got the ball in the beginning of overtime, they needed him yet again to deliver again and he DID. I was shocked to see Dak take command and deliver those passes to win the game in that fashion. I’m sold on the Dak Prescott experiment, not just because of him, but because of what these Cowboys are as a whole.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jalen Ramsey, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars are a hot mess this season. With all of their young talent underperforming, it has been hard to find bright spots for this team.  One of the clear bright spots though is their pass defense.  It ranks in the top half of the league, and the Jaguars have spent a lot of money this offseason for exactly that.  Besides the assistance of Gipson and the prince, Jalen has more than held his own against opposing offense.  He has been targeted the most out of anyone on the Jaguars roster, and even though he has yet to make an INT, he has made plenty of big plays to keep the Jaguars competitive.  Still a lot of season for the young stud to go and make big plays.

Runner up: Joey Bosa, DE, San Diego Chargers

Even though Bosa has not played in every game this season, he debuted with a monster splash!  He recorded two sacks in his debut game, and has dominated offensive lineman in every game thus far.  By the end of the season I can see this guy being the actual defensive rookie of the year, but for right now runner up it is.

Coach of the Year: Bill Belichick, Head Coach, New England Patriots

Belichick has yet again proven to us why he is the football genius of our generation.  Without Brady he managed a 3-1 record and the Patriots are undefeated since their week 3 loss.  They have put up dominant numbers and are THE team to beat in the NFL right now.

Runner up: Jason Garrett, Head Coach, Dallas Cowboys

Garrett took what some thought out to be a hopeless Dallas team with a 5 star running back and great offensive line and turned into the best team in the NFC.  When Romo went down, Garrett trained and prepared Prescott to be the Cowboys QB by taking the pressure off of him.  He even made that hopeless Dallas defense competitive and able enough to help out their offense.  Garrett deserves a ton of credit for the Cowboys success.

Comeback Player of the Year: Jordy Nelson, WR, Green Bay

This one is not even close.  Jordy coming back from a severe knee injury is back doing his Jordy thing. Alright, maybe not 100% Jordy, but I’m not blaming this guy for Aaron Rodgers playing like shit this year. Honestly though, 31 receptions for 415 yards and 6 TDs is a damn good start for anyone midway thru the season.

Runner up: Victor Cruz, WR, New York Giants

This is one is fan favorite, unless you’re a Cowboys, Philly, and or Washington fan. There were plenty of other players that could’ve filled this spot, being Cruz’s stats are not very overwhelming. So far this year Cruz has 24 receptions, 331 receiving yards, and 1 TD. Even with those stats, seeing him do the salsa when he scored the lone TD this year, it was just such an awesome football moment for everyone. Especially after the guy spent 2 years trying to get healthy and back on the field to play.