It’s hard to believe, but by Sunday afternoon, we’ll have reached the halfway point in the 2015 NFL season. It seems like just yesterday that U.S. District Court Judge Richard Berman was vacating Tom Brady’s four-game suspension, doesn’t it?
This is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable seasons in recent memory. So far, all we really know is the New England Patriots are really good. There also are about 15 teams who really aren’t very good. Everyone else in the middle? Who really knows?
That will be figured out in the upcoming weeks and months, with plenty of football still to be played. That said, we have to get into some midseason NFL awards. Here’s how things should shake out, if the NFL just decided to cancel the rest of the regular season.
(Please don’t do that, NFL.)
MVP: Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Duh. Honestly, is there any other pick at this point? If you cast a vote for anyone other than Brady, you either hate him and/or the Patriots. There can’t be any other explanation. Brady is playing the game and the position at an all-time high level, like Michael Jordan or Babe Ruth in their primes. Also, it’s not like anyone else in the league is staking a claim for MVP honors — at least not through the first eight weeks. Aaron Rodgers looked like a possibility before throwing for just 77 yards Sunday night. This is Brady’s award to lose.
In contention: Rodgers, Andy Dalton, Carson Palmer
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Tom Brady, New England Patriots
I mean, what else are we supposed to do? Brady has completed 68.9 percent of his passes and is on pace for 40 touchdowns and just two interceptions. And even that two-pick pace is high when you consider his only interception thus far came on a Julian Edelman drop. Brady’s 115.8 passer rating tops the league, and he’s averaging more passing yards per game (344.3) than anyone else. Additionally, it’s not like anyone else is having a monster offensive year. Todd Gurley is the only running back averaging more than 100 yards per game, and none of the stud wideouts have done enough to stand out above Brady.
In contention: Julio Jones, DeAndre Hopkins, Rob Gronkowski, Devonta Freeman
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: J.J. Watt, Houston Texans
This race is very much wide open, but for now, we’re going with the familiar face. As ESPN.com pointed out earlier this week, Watt actually is ahead of his ridiculous 2014 pace. Don’t forget: Watt was in the MVP conversation for a portion of that season. It feels like he’s either approaching or already has entered the level where your achievements aren’t heralded as much as they should be because the expectations are so high. If you want a couple of dark-horse candidates, look no farther than Foxboro. Both Jamie Collins and Chandler Jones could make a case for the award when it’s all said and done.
In contention: Collins, Jones, Charles Woodson, Aqib Talib, Josh Norman
COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals
Palmer entered the season as a 35-year-old coming off a major knee injury that ended his 2014 season after just six games. He has picked up right where he left off, throwing 20 touchdown passes and leading the Cardinals to a 6-2 record to start the season. He had arguably his best game of the season Sunday, throwing for 374 yards and four touchdowns in a convincing win over the Cleveland Browns. The only problem with this pick is the uncertainty as to whether Palmer can stay healthy the rest of the season.
In contention: Adrian Peterson, Eric Berry, NaVorro Bowman
OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Todd Gurley, St. Louis Rams
This will be one of the best races to watch in the season’s second half. The Rams now must be considered legitimate playoff contenders, and the biggest reason is the defense. The second-biggest reason? Gurley. Now fully healthy, the running back has been hell for opposing defenses. In his four full games this season, he has averaged 146 rushing yards. Unsurprisingly, the Rams are 3-1 in those games, their only loss coming on the road in Green Bay.
In contention: Amari Cooper, Jameis Winston, Stefon Diggs
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Marcus Peters, Kansas City Chiefs
This has been an impressive crop of rookie defenders, and there’s a case to be made for multiple players. We’ll go with Peters, though, based on his balanced production. The cornerback is first among rookies with three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. He’s second among rookies in passes defended with 14. He also has been in on 38 tackles. Basically, he has stepped in and become a legitimate force on the outside for Kansas City and figures to do so for a long time.
In contention: Ronald Darby, Bud Dupree, Hau’oli Kikaha
COACH OF THE YEAR: Mike Zimmer, Minnesota Vikings
A lot of folks will say Dan Quinn deserves this award, and this isn’t to take anything away from what he has done in his first year with the Atlanta Falcons. However, we’re giving the nod to Zimmer, who has gone under the radar to make the Vikings playoff contenders. They don’t do one thing extremely well, but they’ve turned in consistent efforts for much of the season (save for a Week 1 stinker at San Francisco) and they seem to be well-prepared each week. Even with the ups-and-downs of a young quarterback like Teddy Bridgewater, the Vikings find ways to win.
In contention: Quinn, Bill Belichick, Ron Rivera, Gary Kubiak
Thumbnail photo via Stew Milne/USA TODAY Sports Images
