NFL Awards  Week 16 Edition

MVP: JJ Watt

Stats: 16.5(+2) sacks, 1 INT, 10(+1) PDs, 3 FFs, 5 FRs, 10 TFLs, 2 DEF TDs, 3 REC TDs

Thanks to the stout defense of the Buffalo Bills completely stymieing Aaron Rodgers, I’m doing it. JJ Watt had 2 more sacks this week in a valiant effort to slow down one of the highest producing offenses in the league. He now has 7 sacks in his last 3 weeks and finishes the season with juicy matchups against the Ravens and Jaguars. If he can add a couple big plays and possibly another touchdown, Watt has a legitimate shot at becoming the first defensive player to win the MVP since LT won it 28 years ago.

Next man up: Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers lost a ton of ground with his performance this past weekend against the Bills. He retreated back to the pack with one of his worst games of his entire career. Several quarterbacks now have more yards, more TDs, better completion percentages and more wins than Rodgers. While I believe he remains the top alternate candidate for the award, due to his supreme efficiency and big play offense, he no longer is the head and shoulders above the rest he was prior to this weekend.

Offensive Player of the Year: Rodgers

Stats: 293/458 comp/att, 64%(-2.3%) cmp, 3,837(+185) yards, 35 TDs, 5(+2) INTs, 119(-7.8) passer rating.

Rodgers is still the top dog on the offensive side of the ball. His is running an extremely high powered, big play offense all while limiting his turnovers. Watching him play, this is a guy in his absolute prime, his arm strength on all parts of the field, in every throw, is the best in the game. He has some big games coming up after this weekend’s loss slid the Packers back to 6^th in the NFC.

Next men up: Andrew Luck, Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning, Antonio Brown

What previously was a landslide victory is now a wide open race to finish the season.

Defensive Player of the Year: Watt

Stats: 16.5(+2) sacks, 1 INT, 10(+1) PDs, 3 FFs, 5 FRs, 10 TFLs, 2 DEF TDs, 3 REC TDs

His dominance lining up at any spot on the defensive line is a nightmare for opposing offenses. If his game garners him the MVP award, he should be a shoo-in for the DPOY award. While there have been other top notch defensive players this year, none come close to what Watt has accomplished.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Odell Beckham Jr.

Stats: 57(+4) receptions, 935(+45) yards, 10 TDs

It took one more week, but I think most people knew where this one was going last week. Eli Manning is force feeding Beckham the ball on a weekly basis, and why not? Beckham put up the best week of his season to date simply dominating the non-existent Redskins secondary. Beckham, along with Evans, Benjamin and possibly Watkins look to lock in 1,000 yard receiving seasons as rookies. For reference of how insane that is, only eight rookie receivers in the last 20 years, have reached the 1,000 yard plateau in their rookie seasons. No draft class has had more than one rookie WR with 1,000 yards in that timespan. Touché rooks.

Next men up: Mike Evans, Kelvin Benjamin, Sammy Watkins, Jeremy Hill

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Aaron Donald

Stats: 39 tackles, 8.0(+1) sack, 1 PDs, 2 INTs, 1 FF, 11 TFLs

Borland finally had a quiet game where he could be removed from this top spot and actually looks like he will miss the final two games of the regular season. Aaron Donald continued his dominant play for the Rams. He posted another sack this week and the Rams defense continues to be one of the best in the league. It’s safe to assume that the return of superstar DE Chris Long has benefited Donald. The Rams get a juicy matchup against the Giants and Eli Manning this week, it may be an opportunity for some stat padding. CJ Mosley also had a sack this week and continued his strong play, this award isn’t handed out yet.

Next men up: CJ Mosley, Chris Borland

Coach of the Year: Bruce Arians

Record: 11-3

I don’t know how, but they just keep on winning. Quarterbacks get hurt, they don’t score any points, but the defense just adjusts and allows even less points. As many have said, this is probably the only 11-3 team you’ll ever see with such low playoff expectations. Considering what Arians has coached through this year, this award should be his.

Next men up: Jim Caldwell, Bill Belichick