The NFL season is just past it’s halfway point and the best are beginning to separate themselves from the pack. It’s time for mid-season awards.
Most Valuable Player
NFC
Drew Brees – QB – New Orleans Saints
Despite having struggled lately, Brees has still led his team to an undefeated record and eclipsing last season’s win total with seven games remaining. If Brees continues to find ways to help his team win, the Saints have a real shot at their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.
AFC
Peyton Manning – QB – Indianapolis Colts
Manning is, and has been, unquestionably the heart and soul of this Indianapolis Colts team. They’re one of only two undefeated teams left in the league and their comeback against the Patriots this past weekend shows that they know how to play through adversity.
Rookie of the Year
NFC
Percy Harvin – WR – Minnesota Vikings
Harvin has been the ace-in-the-hole for the Vikings, both on offense and special teams. His incredible speed allows him to make a lot of plays on the perimeter for the Vikings.
AFC
Jairus Byrd – FS – Buffalo Bills
Byrd didn’t have an interception until Week 5 of this season, he has since had eight. Byrd had a streak of three consecutive games with two interceptions leading into last weekends’ game against the Titans. Byrd has been the biggest plus for Buffalo’s struggling defense.
Offensive Player of the Year
NFC
Adrian Peterson – RB – Minnesota Vikings
With the arrival of Favre and Harvin to Minnesota, opponents haven’t been able to focus solely on Peterson which has allowed him to flourish so far this season. Peterson displayed his dominance last week against the Detroit Lions, making them look foolish in the process.
AFC
Chris Johnson – RB – Tennessee Titans
Johnson has already rushed for over 1,000 yards on the season. Last Sunday, Johnson had 132 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Johnson also had an additional 100 yards receiving. Johnsons speed makes him a threat to score on any play.
Defensive Player of the Year
NFC
Darren Sharper – FS – New Orleans Saints
Sharper has been a ball hawk his entire career, but many people thought that he was aging and no longer had it. Sharper has silenced those critics with his lights out play this season and he’s been the centerpiece of this improved Saints defense.
AFC
Jairus Byrd – FS – Buffalo Bills
Byrd is not only the best defensive rookie in the AFC, but he’s playing the best football of any defender in the AFC. Byrd’s eight interceptions leads the NFL this season to this point.
Most Improved Team
New Orleans Saints
Who would’ve thought that the Saints would be 9-0 at this point in the season? The team that has had so many problems with their defense in recent years has finally started to play championship-worthy defense. They haven’t been the best defensive team, but they haven’t needed to be. Drew Brees and the Saints offense is putting up ungodly numbers, making the defenses job a little easier.
Coach of the Year
Marvin Lewis – Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals were 4-11-1 last season and looked like they would be at the bottom of the barrel again this year. Marvin Lewis has turned this franchise around and they’re 5-0 in division play for the first time in their history. Cincy has beaten both Pittsburgh and Baltimore twice this season and have games remaining against Oakland, Cleveland, Detroit and Kansas City who all have losing records. It’s safe to say that the Bengals will be representing the AFC North in the playoffs, barring a colossal meltdown.
