The National Football League season is half over for the 2018-2019 season. It has been an interesting and an eventful season, to say the least. We have had some great rookie seasons to second-year players making a huge impact for their teams to newcomers on certain teams making a huge impact as well. I will be breaking down the NFL Award winners at the halfway point which includes MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Offensive Rookie of the Year, Defensive Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, and Comeback Player of the Year.
Mid-Season NFL Awards Predictions
Most Valuable Player
Patrick Mahomes, Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes was a rookie last season after being drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs with the tenth overall pick. Mahomes didn’t play much in his first season as he was backing up Alex Smith. He only played in one game last season in which he started the last game of the season as the starters got some rest. The Chiefs decided to trade Alex Smith this past off-season to the Washington Redskins to give the keys to Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes has taken over the league this season with his unbelievable play and getting Kansas City to an 8-1 start. Patrick has thrown for 29 touchdowns and only seven interceptions this season while also passing for over 300 yards in every game but their first game of the season.
Defensive Player of the Year
Aaron Donald, Defensive tackle
Aaron Donald held out this off-season due to his contract before coming to an agreement with the Los Angeles Rams on a contract extension. Donald is dominating the league this season and is the best defensive player in the league. The Rams added Ndamukong Suh to pair with Donald on their defensive line which was a huge piece. Donald is tied for first with tackles for a loss in the league while also being second in the league with 10 sacks this season. Donald is a difference maker on the defensive line and can change a game by myself with his abilities.
Offensive Player of the Year
Todd Gurley, Running back
Todd Gurley is having a remarkable season this year with the Los Angeles Rams. Gurley is proving to be the best back in the league with Le’Veon Bell not reporting to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Gurley is on one of the best offensives in the league but Gurley is the main piece in their high tempo offense. Gurley is leading the league with 868 rushing yards while also tacking on 362 receiving yards and accounting for 16 total touchdowns. Gurley has scored a touchdown in every game this season while having four games with multiple touchdowns.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Saquon Barkley, Running back
Saquon Barkley was drafted with the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft by the New York Giants. The Giants have struggled this season due to the poor play of their offensive line but that hasn’t slowed down Barkley. Barkley has rushed for 519 yards while catching 58 catches for 497 yards and accounting for seven total touchdowns. The Giants may have needed a quarterback in the draft but they couldn’t pass up what Barkley brought to the table and also the team.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Darius Leonard, Linebacker
Darius Leonard was drafted in the second round by the Indianapolis Colts. Experts who follow the draft and the NFL said that was the worst pick of the draft. Leonard played for South Carolina State so he wasn’t highly recruited and he didn’t play on the biggest stages. Leonard has had an amazing rookie season and has proved everyone wrong the same way he has his whole career. Leonard has 88 tackles which leads the league along with four sacks and three forced fumbles. The Colts look like they may have landed a star at the linebacker position for years to come.
AP Coach of the Year
Matt Nagy, Chicago Bears
This is a tough decision half-way through the season as they are a hand full of names that could win this award. I choose Nagy because nobody really knew what to expect from the Chicago Bears this season even after they acquired one of the best defensive players in the league in Khalil Mack. The Bears added some offensive weapons this off-season for Mitchell Trubisky which include Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, Anthony Miller, Trey Burton, and getting a healthy Kevin White back. The Chicago Bears are sitting at 5-3 and first in the NFC North which includes the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings. Nagy has transformed Trubisky this season into their future quarterback and the sky is the limit for the Bears this season.
Comeback Player of the Year
Andrew Luck, Quarterback
This award will most likely come down to Aaron Rodgers, JJ Watt, and Andrew Luck. Luck hasn’t played football in almost two full seasons due to a shoulder injury. Nobody knew what Luck was going to do this season or if he would even play this season. Luck has had a very good year for the Indianapolis Colts which is a great sign for them moving forward. Luck has just over 2,000 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. Luck has the Colts sitting at 3-5 but just having Luck on the field for a full season and making a contribution is a win for the Colts and their future.
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