NFL Midseason Awards: Who wins MVP if the season ended today?

With the NFL at the halfway point of a wild season, it’s time we show love to those who have been performing at a high level thus far. Here are our midseason awards for the NFL. Let us know in the comments below if you think someone’s more deserving.

Coach of the Year: Kliff Kingsbury

Starting the year 8-1, the Arizona Cardinals’ Kliff Kingsbury is the midseason Coach of the Year. With the offense and defense ranking in the top 5, Kingsbury seems to be pressing all the right buttons. Even when his star QB, Kyler Murray, is out, he continues to put together quality gameplans and that is an exception quality for a coach. Kingsbury is making the necessary adjustments to help his team pull out Ws.

Comeback Player of the Year: Dak Prescott

I think we can all agree that after his season-ending injury last season and his contribution to the Dallas Cowboys’ impressive start this year, Dak Prescott is the Comeback Player of the Year. With the team sitting at a comfortable 6-2 and his top tier numbers with 18 touchdowns and 5 interceptions on a 108.7 passer rating, it is clear that he not only returned but is better than the way he left. With a lot of football left to play, this could be potentially Dak’s best season and the moment he propels into the upper echelon of elite QBs.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Ja’Marr Chase

I don’t think this is a debate Ja’Marr Chase is the runaway favorite for offensive rookie of the year. In 9 games, he already is making himself comfortable among the top receivers in the league with 7 touchdowns and 835 receiving yards (both are among the top 5). It’s evident that the relationship between him and QB Joe Burrow plays a massive factor in his success, but he’s also showing that he’s an elite talent. The footwork, the ball skills, it’s all there and I expect him to continue to have a strong season.

Defensive Rookie of The Year: Micah Parsons

Micah Parsons has everyone from the national media to Cowboys’ legend Troy Aikman singing his praises; that’s why he’s our midseason Defensive Rookie of the Year. With 52 tackles and 5 sacks through the halfway mark, Parsons’ versatility has been on display early and something that Cowboys Defensive Coordinator, Dan Quinn, has leaned in to by featuring Parsons in multiple spots on the field. We’ve seen him line up on the edge to pass rush like a defensive end; we’ve also seen run with backs and receivers downfield in coverage. 

Offensive Player of the Year: Derrick Henry

With Derrick Henry potentially out for the rest of the season, it’s time to give the one-man freight train his flowers now. Through 8 games, Henry is pushing another 1,000-yard season at 937 yards with 10 touchdowns, both of which he still leads the league in despite missing a week. It’s remarkable the amount of attention this man receives and can still produce with elite numbers. I hope he comes back healthier than ever because, honestly, it’s just fun to watch him stomp over defenses. 

Defensive Player of the Year: TJ Watt

Despite going against all the sportsbooks and odds trackers, my defensive player of the year midway through the season is Pittsburgh Steelers’ own TJ Watt. In 7 games, TJ Watt has 11.5 sacks, only behind Myles Garrett (12), and 3 forced fumbles only behind Markus Golden (4). Watt’s impact on the field is unmatched, and this is not to say that other guys aren’t impactful, but I believe Watt has shown up in pivotal moments that directly translates to the Steelers’ 5-3 start as opposed to 3-5. 

Most Valuable Player: Matthew Stafford

Finally, my pick for Most Valuable player midway through the season is LA Rams, Matthew Stafford. Right now, I don’t think there is a happier player in the league than Stafford, who has spent the last 12 years battling for relevance in Detroit, and he’s been proving that he’s been elite for some time by being the guy in the Rams 7-2 start. With 23 touchdowns and 6 interceptions through 9 games, the Rams’ offense got a much-needed shot in the arm and seemed to have restored their Super Bowl aspirations.

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