Hello, fellow NFL fans! Cory Woodroof here. The NFL season is half-way over, and we’ve got some awards to give out.
The players and teams below are the ones I designate the “Midseason fill-in-the-blank” winner so far this year. These players or teams may not hang on for the rest of the year, but I’d bet in their favor.
MVP: DEMARCO MURRAY – RB, COWBOYS
To me, the best player in the NFL comes down to three players: DeMarco Murray, Peyton Manning and J.J. Watt. Manning is playing at an incredibly high level on the best team in the NFL, and Watt is wrecking opposing offenses on a regular basis. But, can we really say anyone is having a more impactful year than Murray? The running back has rushed for over 100 yards in eight consecutive games and has seven touchdowns on the season. Murray is also reportedly on pace to top former Rams great Eric Dickerson’s all-time season rushing yard record of 2, 105. The Cowboys are the surprise team of the NFL this year, and Murray’s big year is one of the huge sparks that has gotten them there. If Murray keeps up this pace and breaks Dickerson’s record, he’s the MVP. No questions asked.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: PEYTON MANNING – QB, BRONCOS
After winning MVP last year, the Sherriff has not slowed down. Manning has thrown for 22 touchdowns and has a 90.1 QBR so far this season. After getting settled in the season, he’s got the Broncos offense playing at such a high level right now that the team looks to be unbeatable. Having new WR Emmanuel Sanders around and RB Ronnie Hillman playing at a high level helps Manning’s efforts tremendously. No quarterback is having the year Manning is, and if he keeps this up, the 17-year veteran will be in consideration for the league’s top honors.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: J.J. WATT – DE, TEXANS
While he’s not technically leading the NFL in sacks right now, no defensive player is playing at the level J.J. Watt is playing right now. With 7 sacks, 32 tackles, 3 touchdowns a kick blocked and countless other marks of pass rushing quality, Watt has been the anchor of the improved Texans this season. No team should want Watt coming at them at any point in the future. He’s the best defensive player in the NFL right now, and he deserves to be rewarded as such.
COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR: ROLANDO MCCLAIN – LB, COWBOYS
A year ago, Rolando McClain wasn’t playing in the NFL. The formerly-retired linebacker has had a rough start to his NFL career. But, after being traded to the Cowboys from Baltimore (a team he technically never played for), McClain has gone through a career renaissance. He’s arguably the best player on a solid Cowboys defense that many thought would be the league’s worst. 38 tackles and two interceptions are solid stats for a great linebacker. They’re incredible stats to a guy who people thought would never play another down. After time in some rough waters, McClain is finally living up to his first-round draft status and is helping Dallas be one of the NFL’s best teams. Call that a comeback.
OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: KELVIN BENJAMIN – WR, PANTHERS
Many scoffed at Carolina for taking Benjamin when they did in the 2014 draft. Now, the Panthers are the ones having the last laugh. No rookie means more to their team right now than Benjamin does. He’s the team’s leading receiver (571 yards, 5 touchdowns so far) in a unit many thought would be lacking after the release of star veteran Steve Smith. The Panthers have a pretty solid shot of claiming the weak NFC South, and if they do indeed hold on to win the division, they’ve got a lot owed to Benjamin. He’s a franchise receiver – exactly what the Panthers needed.
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: KYLE FULELR – CB, BEARS
Of all the cornerbacks that ended up going in the first round of this year’s draft, Kyle Fuller is the one leading the pack. He’s got 3 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles on the season right now, and he’s the Bears’ second-leading tackler with 37. Chicago is having a disappointing season, but they can’t be disappointed with the way their rookie cornerback is playing right now. Fuller will be holding down a spot in the Bears’ backfield for a long, long time.
MOST SURPRISING TEAM – DALLAS COWBOYS
The Dallas Cowboys are good – real good. Outside of Murray and McClain, QB Tony Romo doesn’t make too many careless mistakes anymore, WR Dez Bryant is finally playing to his potential, the offensive line is mauling opponents and the defense is nowhere near as dreadful as some thought it might be. The team has a decent chance of taking the NFC East (Philly is its biggest opponent). But, even if they don’t win the division, expect to see Dallas in a Wild Card slot.
MOST DISAPPOINTING TEAM – CHICAGO BEARS
The 3-5 Chicago Bears should be knocking on the door of the NFC North. Instead, the team is firmly behind Detroit and Green Bay for the division. The playoffs aren’t likely for Chicago this year, which is a shame considering the talent on both sides of the ball. QB Jay Cutler will need to step up his level of play if this team is to live up to what it’s capable of. So far, they’re nowhere near postseason contention.
PREDICTED DIVISION WINNERS
NFC North: Detroit Lions
There’s something in the Lions’ water this season. The team is banged up, but they’re showing the kind of tenacity that lends itself handy to teams looking to win the division. Green Bay is beatable, and if the Lions can maintain this newfound success, they’ve got a solid shot at the division.
NFC East: Dallas Cowboys
Dallas’ loss to Washington proved the importance of Tony Romo’s health. Romo’s got to stay healthy if Dallas is going to vie for the top crown. Philadelphia has a solid chance at taking the division, but for now, the Cowboys are the safer bet.
NFC South: Carolina Panthers
In the NFL’s worst division, the Panthers will make history by winning the division back-to-back. New Orleans is fresh off a surprising home win over Green Bay, but their road struggles have yet to be solved. The Saints could push, but right now, Carolina is the best bet.
NFC West: Arizona Cardinals
In a surprising twist, neither the 49ers nor the Seahawks are the favorite to win the NFC West. Enter the Cardinals, who might just be the best team in the NFC right now. Bruce Arians is having a Coach of the Year-type of year (a race that’s just too close to even predict right now), and the team is dispatching opponents left and right (only a loss to Denver at Denver blemishes their record, but really, who wins in Denver this year?).
Wild Card 1: Green Bay Packers
Wild Card 2: Philadelphia Eagles
AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers
The AFC North is anyone’s to take right now, even Cleveland. Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Cincinnati are all tied for first right now, so let’s go with the team playing with the most momentum. The Steelers are coming off two incredibly impressive home stands against a respectable Texans team and a really, really good Colts team. Their defense has woken up, and Ben Roethlisberger is playing some inspired ball right now. The Bengals and Ravens aren’t out of this by any stretch of the imagination, but right now, I’m sticking with the hot Steelers.
AFC East: New England Patriots
The Buffalo Bills aren’t doing too bad right now, but they’re still not anywhere close to the New England Patriots. Once again, Brady and crew walk away with this one easily.
AFC South: Indianapolis Colts
Not much contention here, either. The Colts are the best team here, and if Houston can’t beat them, neither can Tennessee or Jacksonville.
AFC West: Denver Broncos
No one should deny the monster season Philip Rivers and the Chargers having right now, but as long as Peyton is around, it’s hard seeing any team other than the Broncos take the AFC West.
Wild Card 1: San Diego Chargers
Wild Card 2: Cincinnati Bengals
SUPER BOWL PREDICTION: DENVER BRONCOS VS. ARIZONA CARDINALS
Talk about irony. The Broncos could have to play a road game in the Super Bowl against the Cardinals in Phoenix. Manning will battle with CB Patrick Peterson and the Cardinals’ ferocious defense, while QB Carson Palmer, in his first Super Bowl appearance, tries to manage his way around Denver’s terrifying pass rush. In this game, I’ve got the visitors on top. Peyton gets ring no. 2, and the Broncos take the 49th Super Bowl title.