NFL Midseason Awards

Noah Hays
Oct 27, 2017
10 min read

Here we are, 8 weeks removed from the beginning of the season and at the halfway point of the 16 week gauntlet. With 25

out of the 32 teams at either 3,4, or 5 wins, the parity is ruling in the NFL with chaos coming every week from almost any team

you can think of except of course the Browns, and 49ers but hope is still there for the two last winless teams in the league. Maybe. Probably Not. With the parity around the league, there truly hasn't been a team that is leaps and bounds above the rest of the talent. Many thought the "front runner" would be the Kansas City Chiefs starting off fast with wins against the Patriots and Eagles

in the first two weeks of the season to help propel them to a 5-0 start. Even I was thinking the AFC West team was by far the best in the NFL, until weeks 6 and 7 happened. The 5-0 Chiefs were handed back to back losses to a struggling Pittsburgh team and a

unknown talent in Oakland with the Raiders to drop them to 5-2 and bring them down from their throne as the best team in the

NFL. The throne would not stay empty for long with the Eagles now claiming the top spot with a 6-1 record through 8 weeks.

The Eagles are the closest team (as of right now) to be known as the "upper echelon" of the teams in the NFL. With possible

MVP candidate in 2nd year Quarterback Carson Wentz and a stout defense to go along with the high powered offense, the

Eagles could be in for a great end to the 2017 regular season. Key words "Could be". The Eagles will have to find a way to work without some of their best players on each side of the ball losing 9 time pro-bowl offensive tackle Jason Peters and a major key to the success on the defensive side in 3rd year linebacker Jordan Hicks. Both were season ending injuries putting some major question marks into the Eagles hopes of becoming the #1 seed in the NFC. With almost every team in the hunt to make the playoffs, a correlation could be made to the added star power that has been producing around the league. The names we are so accustomed to seeing like Odell, JJ Watt , and Aaron Rodgers are out of the conversation, each suffering their own season ending injury. Even with arguably 3 of the biggest stars in the NFL out, the 2017 season has still been a joyride to watch with new up and coming talent making a name for themselves. Names like Kareem Hunt, Leonard Fournette, Deshaun Watson and many others in the 2017 draft class are out to prove that there still is some fire power left in the league to give watchers something to look forward to. Along with the young, players like Tom Brady, Antonio Brown, Rob Gronkowski and many others are still putting up the amazing numbers everyone is used to. In this post I will be giving out my super special Midseason awards that every player in the NFL is dying to be apart of but only few can. Sort of like the Masters but without the jacket and anything that actually matters. You get the point.

NFL MVP - QB Carson Wentz, Eagles

Carson Wentz will always be good for at least one thing , haunting the Browns for not taking him in the 2016 NFL Draft. I can only imagine the envy spilling from the Cleveland natives watching their home team start out the season 0-7 for the second year in a row leaving everyone wondering what would have happened. The 24 year old 2nd year pro out of North Dakota State has taken the reigns as the Eagles franchise QB after questionable years with Mark Sanchez and Nick Foles at the helm. With Wentz having a year under his belt, he has blossomed into the QB most Eagles fans wouldn't even have dreamed of. Carson has lead his team to the best record in football at the midway point along with throwing for the most touchdowns, 17, and almost 2,000 yards through 8 weeks. The only quarterback to compare as of right now is the future HOF Tom Brady with only two less touchdowns but more yards thrown so far. For the MVP award they usually give the nod to the QB with the better team, so as of right now I will do the same, giving the edge to Wentz. Even with the edge don't count out Brady for a comeback (28-3). One reason I can see Carson losing to Tom is the loss of the Eagles best pass protector, Jason Peters. Although he has only thrown 4 interceptions and is top 5 in the league in passer rating, beware of a potential downfall for Wentz in the 2nd half of the season with the added pressure on the Tackle spot. According to Pro Football Focus his QB rating has dropped by a difference of 52.7 points to 64.7 when pressured compared to being clean in the pocket at 117.4. One of the worst differences for QBs in the NFL and with a gaping hole at tackle, It could come spiraling down for Wentz and the offense in the 2nd half but as of right now, he's the 2017 MVP.

Coach of the Year - Sean McVay, Rams

With the youngest head coach in modern NFL history starting his first year along with many question marks around the roster, Rams fans weren't expecting much from the team in their 2nd year back in Los Angeles. Rebuilding, Rebuilding, Rebuilding. This is all you hear from teams in the bottom half of the league like the Rams or the infamous Browns who are always years away. Those were the Rams of old lead by a overall average HC in Jeff Fisher, the Rams of new are on a different path. Sean McVay has rejuvenated the team and the city of Los Angeles to hope bring a championship to the Rams original home. Once a team who ranked last in the league in scoring with only 14 points a game has catapulted to the #1 scoring offense in less then a year. Todd Gurley and Jared Goff lead a dangerous offense averaging 30 points a game, bringing back the feared running attack that was diminished in Jeff Fishers offensive system last season. Don't look now but the 31 year old led team is currently 5-2 and #1 in the NFC West ahead of the usual division winners, the Seahawks. McVay might lack age and experience but DC Wade Phillips has helped the young coach ease in and the two have combined to create a fun team to watch. With a defense lead by Phillips, who was already stout coming into McVays tenure and bringing a high powered offense to a team who have not had much of a QB since the days of Sam Bradford and the questionable shoulder, the Rams are finally on the right path to sustained success. For right now.

Offensive Player of the Year - Kareem Hunt, Chiefs

After 4 years at Toledo with 782 carries and no fumbles, ball security was one of the least concerning things Kareem had on his mind heading into his first NFL game against the Patriots. Coming into the game for his first carry, he fumbled, leading to many of his fantasy owners, including me having their heads down expecting the offensive genius, Andy Reid to sit him out for the rest of the game. Reid had other plans, giving the ball right back to Hunt and letting him be a pivotal player in the offense. Hunt finished the game with 148 yards on 17 carries and 1 touchdown on the ground along with catching 5 passes for 98 yards and tacking on another 2 scores through the air, carrying the Chiefs to a win in Foxborough. The rookie didn't stop there, adding over a 100 yards of total offense in every game he has been in, wether it be his league leading 717 rushing yards or his 285 yards receiving. Hunt is on pace to break the single season yards from scrimmage record along with Eric Dickerson's rookie rushing record. I expect Kareem to continue his rookie rampage across the league as long as Alex Smith and Andy Reid keep force feeding him the ball for their offense to work. With all these numbers said there is only one important conclusion to be made, you want him on your fantasy team.

Defensive Player of the Year - Harrison Smith, Vikings

The DPOY has been a tough one to call this season with many up and coming defensive players around the league along with star players like JJ Watt being out for the season. Harrison Smith has been the most consistent of the players I have had on my shortlist to become the defensive player of the year. The 2012 draft pick out of Notre Dame has been a key player since he arrived in Minnesota for the Vikings and hasn't looked back, being in the pro bowl in back to back seasons from 2015-2016 and on track to make another one this year. Smith ranks as the top safety in the league according to Pro Football Focus and has made his presence felt in the back end of the defense with 3 interceptions out of the Vikings 7 through the midway point of the season. Harrison continues to be left alone and has locked up deep threats and will continue to do so as long as he stays healthy. There could be other names who end up winning the award with prettier stats but if you look at the kind of difference maker that # 22 is , Harrison is as good as it gets.

Offensive Rookie of the Year- Deshaun Watson, Texans

Just an FYI, for the posts sake lets just forget about the guy on track to break multiple records in Kansas City. In this world Kareem Hunt is not a rookie and won't be considered for OROY because it simply would be lazy of me to put him here and not write about the other rookie sensation. If it weren't for the human joystick this player would have a clear shot to the award. Anyways, for The Texans offensive struggles have been a staple of Bill O'Briens tenure in Houston. Names like B.J Daniels, Brian Hoyer, Brandon Weeden, and the legendary 72 million dollar man, Brock Osweiler. Bill and many Houston natives believed they had their franchise QB in the likes of Osweiler after signing him to a ludicrous contract for the 2016 season. Me along with many others could not believe the money given to someone as unproven as Brock and did not see it lasting long. We were right. Osweiler was downright horrible and continued the pathetic excuse for an offense under Bill O'Brien, leaving many fans wondering if they would ever get the franchise quarterback they have so desperately hoped for. The first round of the 2017 draft answered their questions and gave hope to the city, drafting heisman winner and national champion, Deshaun Watson. Watson somehow was not started to begin the season but later replaced Tom Savage in the 2nd half of the first game to officially take the reigns of starting QB. #14 has only impressed, throwing for 15 touchdowns and adding one on the ground, putting him tied for 2nd with Alex Smith and Tom Brady for passing touchdowns. Watson has continued to keep his team in the game and would have even won against the Patriots if it weren't for a miraculous last minute go ahead touchdown from Tom Brady to Brandon Cooks. The leadership from the rookie has been something not shown in stats, giving this offense a new look and a franchise QB for the fans to cheer for.

Defensive Rookie of the Year - Marshon Lattimore

The Saints have had arguably one of the best picks in the first round draft in Lattimore. Marshon, drafted out of Ohio State has clearly been the best defensive rookie out of the 2017 draft and might be one of the best corners in the league as of right now. In four games against the Dolphins, Lions, Patriots, and Packers he only allowed 10 catches for 20 yards. For anyone who might not know a lot about football, (There is nothing wrong with that) let me enlighten you. 20 yards is the equivalent of two first downs in the NFL, first downs come pretty easily so even only allowing 20 yards in a single game to some of these QBs is a amazing stat to have, let alone in four total games. Throughout the four games I have mentioned he only allowed a horrible QB rating of 39.8 on a scale of 0 to 158.3 with average being around 65 and great at over 100. In short, that is very good. Pro Football Focus grades the rookie as the top cornerback in the league with a elite grade of 94.1 out of 100 ahead of the likes of proven veterans such as Patrick Peterson, Jason McCourty, Casey Hayward, etc. With the Saints having one side of the field on lockdown they can finally have someone to count on across from the high powered offense lead by Drew Brees. I expect Lattimore to get even better as the season unfolds and be a cornerstone for New Orleans in the future, something they have not had since the days of the Dome Patrol in the late 80s to the early 90s.

Comeback Player of the Year - Earl Thomas, Seahawks

Putting a finger on the comeback player of the year through only the first half of the season is a tall task for the many ways a season can turn after I write this. For all I know this player could totally collapse and possibly never play again, like Earl Thomas. Earl broke his leg in week 13 against the Carolina Panthers, leaving a huge veteran presence lost in the secondary for the Seahawks. Thoughts of retirement even creeped into the mind of the All Pro, tweeting about the possible leave from the NFL immediately after heading into the locker room following the injury leaving his status in question for the 2017 season. Breaking a leg and coming back to play half as good is a tall task, let alone return to his Pro Bowl form. Earl has beat the odds and returned for the Seahawks making fans happy with having him back and playing at the form all are accustomed to. Thomas currently ranks top 15 in the league for safeties according to Pro Football Focus with a grade of 85.7. I hope Earl can continue to play well and keep the Seattle defense as good as it gets, as long as he isn't playing the Panthers :)