We’re nine weeks into the regular season, which means we’ve hit the halfway mark of the NFL season. The contenders have separated from the pretenders and the playoff picture is nearing completion. If the season ended today, here would be my award winners:
Superbowl – Green Bay Packers
It would take a brave man to rule the packers out of winning back to back Superbowls. At 8-0, QB Aaron Rodgers runs an offensive master class each week with his receivers appearing to effortlessly haul in touchdown passes. Although ranked forth on offence statistically, Rodgers has thrown 24 touchdowns for only three interceptions.
Defence looks to be the biggest weakness of the Packers who give up the third most yards per game but are saved by their red zone plays to have given up only 179 points (ranked 16th).
Charles Woodson continues to be amongst the league’s top defensive backs with five interceptions, equal with the most in the league. Clay Matthews has not sacked quarterbacks at the frantic pace he set last year, but the pressure he applies for no statistical reward has led to 16 Green Bay interceptions (ranked 3rd), three returned for touch downs.
Other Superbowl contenders will be: New England, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Detroit and New Orleans.
Most Valuable Player – Calvin Johnson, WR
Wide Receivers don’t win the MVP but words cannot describe how Calvin ‘Megatron’ Johnson can beat double and triple coverage. Flourishing with the return of QB Matt Stafford, the two have combined for 804 yards (ranked second) and 11 touchdowns (ranked first), five more than the next best.
Having the best season of his career in a team which has struggled over recent years, Megatron consistently hauls in uncatchable passes against double coverage to suggest, he’s not fluking it. If this form continues, Johnson is on track to challenge Randy Moss’ record for most touchdowns in a season, 23.
Other contenders will be: Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Matt Forte and Wes Welker.
Defensive Player of the Year – Jason Pierre-Paul, DE
All the stats and rankings say Minnesota’s DE Jared Allen is having a better season than Pierre-Paul, but the Vikings are 2-6 while the New York Giants are 6-2 largely thanks to Pierre-Paul. In his second year in the league, Pierre-Paul is having a breakout season with 9.5 sacks (ranked second), hitting the quarterback 14 times (ranked third).
Now among the league’s best pass rushers, Pierre-Paul has distinguished himself with clutch plays in narrow wins against New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia. Tackling on both fronts, Pierre-Paul has had 12 tackles for losses (ranked equal second) demonstrating his ability to turn his pass rush into run stopping.
This award is wide open and the other contenders will be: Darelle Revis, Jared Allen, DeMarcus Ware, Terrell Suggs and Charles Woodson.
Offensive Rookie of the Year – Andy Dalton, QB
Despite back to back 400-yard passing games by Carolina (2-6) QB Cam Newton to begin his career, Andy Dalton has been a better player with a more rounded game. He has led the Cincinnati Bengals (6-2) to lead the division at the mid season mark.
With limited experience in his receiving core, Dalton has thrown more touchdowns (12) and fewer interceptions (seven) than hot favourite Cam Newton (11-9).
Although this is an individual accolade, Dalton’s team contribution has delivered more wins than Newton’s individual efforts. Relying on a rookie number one receiver in AJ Green, Dalton just edges out Newton at the mid season mark for this award.
The other contenders are: Cam Newton, AJ Green and Torrey Smith.
Defensive Rookie of the Year – Von Miller, OLB
The second overall selection of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos, Von Miller was the safest bet to be successful in the league by recruiters, and has not disappointed. He has been the perfect edition to a defence containing DE Elvis Dumervil, for the two to deliver a one-two punch.
Miller equally leads all rookies with 6.5 sacks (Aldon Smith also has 6.5) for 44 sack yards and 12 quarterback hits to go with his two forced fumbles. Although Miller has been given more opportunities than other defensive rookies due to Denver’s ailing offence, Miller will be amongst the league’s top linebackers for many years to come.
The other contenders are: Patrick Peterson, Aldon Smith, Ryan Kerrigan and Jabaal Sheard
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