Mid-season Awards

Most Valuable Player: Peyton Manning (71.2%, 29 TD, 119.4 QB Rating, 84.2 Total QBR)

This is the biggest no-brainer of all the mid-season awards.  Manning is piloting the most prolific scoring offense in the NFL and he is on pace to shatter all kinds of NFL single-season records. While some may point to the plethora of offensive weapons at his disposal as a way to diminish his MVP worthiness, something tells me that the Denver offense would be just a little different with Brock Osweiler calling the plays.

 

Other candidates: Jamaal Charles, Calvin Johnson, Tom Brady

 

Offensive Player of the Year: Calvin Johnson (47 receptions, 821 yards, 117.5 yds/game)

While it would be pretty easy to hand this award to Manning as well, let’s throw Megatron a bone and reward him for being the most awe-inspiring offensive player in the NFL.  If anyone has a beef with Megatron getting this award, go back and watch the tape of Detroit’s visit to Lambeau without him and the tape of him completely destroying the Dallas defense single-handedly.  The Lions’ offense can barely walk and chew gum at the same time without him, but transforms into one of the elite offenses in the NFL with him in the line-up. 

 

Other candidates: Peyton Manning, Jamaal Charles, Matt Forte

 

Defensive Player of the Year: J.J. Watt (6 sacks, 27 tackles, 4 batted passes, 51.0 overall grade from PFF)

This might be the most difficult award to hand. There are so many guys that are deserving of winning, but I have to go with the reigning defensive player of the year because in some ways he is outpacing what he did last season.  Pro Football Focus has graded Watt as the best defensive player in the NFL and it’s not even close.  While his sack numbers are way down compared to last season, he continues to be a major disruption for opposing teams in the passing game and running game.  For example, he leads the league in tackles for loss (not including sacks) with 10. 

 

Other candidates: Tamba Hali, Justin Houston, Robert Quinn, Robert Mathis, Gerald McCoy, Sean Lee, Earl Thomas

 

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Eddie Lacy (596 yards, 4.4 yds/carry, 4 TDs)

There are a lot of good options for this award, but none better than Lacy, who leads all rookies in rushing yards despite missing two games completely and the better part of a third.  He has completely changed the offensive approach in Green Bay to a much more balanced offense.  His presence on the roster has people believing that the Packers can weather the Aaron Rodgers injury over the next three weeks.

 

Other candidates: Giovani Bernard, Keenan Allen, Jordan Reed, Zac Stacy

 

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Sheldon Richardson (3 sacks, 26 tackles, 1 batted pass, 14.6 overall grade from PFF)

According to Pro Football Focus, Richardson has the highest grade for any rookie defender through nine weeks.  He has the sixth best grade of any 3-4 defensive end and the ninth best grade amongst all defensive ends regardless of scheme.  Along with Muhammad Wilkerson, he is anchoring the NFL’s best run defense.  While Kiko Alonso has had more spectacular moments, Richardson has been much more consistent and deserves this award more.

 

Other candidates: Star Lotulelei, Kiko Alonso, Marcus Cooper, Tyrann Mathieu, Eric Reid

 

Coach of the Year: Andy Reid (9-0 record)

The Chiefs were 2-14 last year and are the NFL’s last unbeaten team this year.  Other than trading for Alex Smith, the biggest offseason change was hiring Reid to coach the team.  Enough said. Reid will win this award in a landslide unless the Chiefs completely fall apart in the second half.

 

Other Candidates: Pete Carroll, Jim Harbaugh, Rex Ryan, Bill Belichick, Sean Payton

 

Comeback Player of the Year: Sean Lee (90 tackles, 4 INTs, 1 Fumble Recovery, 1 TD)

Lee missed 10 games in 2012 due to a toe injury.  He has returned in 2013 as the undisputed leader of the Dallas defense and has been wreaking havoc on the rest of the NFL.  He is actually tied for the league lead in interceptions. This award is still probably RGIII’s to lose, but right now Lee is more deserving.

Other Candidates: Robert Griffin III, Darrelle Revis