MY NFL AWARDS PREDICTIONS

Most Valuable Player

Candidates: RB Ezekiel Elliot (Cowboys), QB Tom Brady (Patriots), QB Derek Carr (Raiders), QB Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), QB Aaron Rodgers (Packers)

My Pick: QB Matt Ryan, Falcons

This year’s Falcons offense was one of the best in history, and it was led by Matt Ryan. No matter what stat you use to determine the best passer in the league, Matt Ryan leads them all. He leads the league in both passer ratings (QBR and the old fashioned passer ratings) Ryan has thrown for an outstanding 9.3 yards per attempt, and 13.3 yards per completion. He has thrown with pinpoint accuracy this year, coming just short of a 70% completion percentage at 69.9, Ryan also threw 38 touchdowns over the course of the year, and limited his interceptions to just seven.

Offensive Player of the Year

Candidates: RB David Johnson (Cardinals), RB Le’Veon Bell (Steelers), RB Ezekiel Elliot (Cowboys), QB Tom Brady (Patriots), QB Derek Carr (Raiders), QB Matt Ryan (Falcons), QB Aaron Rodgers (Packers)

My Pick: RB David Johnson (Cardinals)

It would make sense that if the winner of the MVP was offensive that they would automatically win offensive player of the year, but that is often not the case. The Offensive Player of the Year seems to be an award that goes to the player that without them, the team would be completely different, and without David Johnson, I’m not sure that the Cardinals would even have an offense. Johnson has been the best running back in the NFL this year, and he gets rewarded with OPOY honors.

Defensive Player of the Year

Candidates: S Landon Collins (Giants), OLB Von Miller (Broncos), S Eric Berry (Chiefs), OLB Khalil Mack (Raiders)

My Pick: OLB Von Miller (Broncos)

This award has been JJ Watt’s for three of the past four years, but with Watt injured it opens the door for a new winner, and while Collins, Mack, and Berry had good years, this award is pretty clearly going to be won by the sack machine Von Miller. Miller accounted for 13.5 sacks this year, second best in the NFL, and he nearly doubled the first place guy in tackles, totaling 62 on the season. The Broncos didn’t make the playoffs, but they will get an award here.

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Candidates: WR Michael Thomas (Saints), QB Dak Prescott (Cowboys), RB Ezekiel Elliot (Cowboys), OT Jack Conklin (Titans)

My Pick: RB Ezekiel Elliot (Cowboys)

Both Dak and Zeke are worthy of this award, and while Michael Thomas and Jack Conklin don’t get nearly as much coverage, they also each had great years, but this comes down to the two from Dallas. Dak has been extremely efficent with the ball, only throwing a pick four times this year, compared to 23 touchdowns. Despite that, I have to give this one to Zeke. He leads the league in rushing as a rookie, and it’s not even close, and while the Cowboys’ superb offensive line deserves some of the credit, you’ve got to give Zeke some too, and that leads him to his first award.

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Candidates: CB Jalen Ramsey (Jaguars), DE Joey Bosa (Chargers), S Keanu Neal (Falcons)

My Pick: DE Joey Bosa (Chargers)

Jalen Ramsey had a great year, but this is an automatic win for Bosa. Bosa missed training camp and the first quarter of the season, yet he still wound up with 10.5 sacks and 41 tackles, accounting for the four missed games, that sack number goes up to 14, which would actually eclipse defensive player of the year Von Miller, an extraordinary feat for a rookie.

Coach of the Year

Candidates: Jack Del Rio (Raiders), Bill Belichick (Patriots), Jason Garrett (Cowboys)

My Pick: Bill Belichick (Patriots)

These are three very deserving candidates, Del Rio brought the struggling Raiders to the playoffs, and it could have been more if not for an injury. Jason Garrett got the #1 seed in the NFC after his starting quarterback got injured, but this award has to go to the greatest coach in the history of football, Bill Belichick. Belichick led the Patriots to a 16-2 season without Gronk for most of the year, and he went 3-1 without Tom Brady (maybe he’s a system quarterback? another issue for another day) but after all, Belichick led the Patriots to the Super Bowl with a 5th round pick at QB, an undrafted at running back, and a 7th rounder and another undrafted at the two receivers. Absolutely fantastic.

Comeback Player of the Year

Candidates: RB Demarco Murray (Titans), WR Jordy Nelson (Packers), RB Melvin Gordon (Chargers)

My Pick: WR Jordy Nelson (Packers)

This is another pretty easy one. After missing the entirety of last year with an ACL tear, Jordy Nelson came back from injury and immediately became Aaron Rodgers’ favorite target, he led the Packers reception wise, with 97 catches for 1,257 yards, and fourteen touchdowns. Nelson was a big part in the Packers’ run to the NFC Title game, and that earns him comeback player of the year honors.