NFL Midseason Awards/Predictions

The midpoint of the NFL season is upon us and now that we’ve seen what each team has to offer, it’s time to make some predictions!

NFL MVP: QB Tom Brady (New England Patriots)

How can you pick against a guy that is as on fire as Mr. Brady is right now? He is on pace to have a more impressive season than his, at the time, record breaking campaign in 2007. He is on track for 5,418 yards, which is nearing the single season record, 44 TDs, and 4 interceptions. Yes, 4 interceptions. That is a not a typo. Let’s also not forget he has the Patriots at a perfect 8-0.

Offensive Player of the Year: QB Tom Brady (New England Patriots)

Again, he is on pace for 5,418 yards, 44 TDs, and 4 interceptions. That is a legendary season and he is a no brainer at Offensive Player of the Year.

Defensive Player of the Year: CB Aqib Talib (Denver Broncos)

Through eight games Talib has 20 tackles, 8 pass deflections and 3 interceptions with 2 of those being returned for touchdowns. Not only do Talib’s statistics match that of a Defensive Player of the Year, but he also passes the eye test. Talib has always been a solid number one cornerback, but now he has the look of a real shutdown corner.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: RB Todd Gurley (St. Louis Rams)

This was a tough decision between an excelling Amari Cooper and a dominant Todd Gurley. The deciding factor was the fact that Gurley has been completely dominant. No disrespect to Cooper who truly has been very good, but Gurley has been great, racking up 664 yards and 4 TDs in his first 6 NFL games. His numbers are eerily similar to Adrian Peterson’s first 6 NFL games and we all know how that turned out. Todd Gurley for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: CB Marcus Peters (Kansas City Chiefs)

With the field of defensive rookies not being too overwhelming, I found this to be an easy decision. Peters has been very impressive so far with 38 tackles, 11 pass deflections, and 3 interceptions with one of those going for a touchdown. If he can keep up this production, Peters should have no issue being the Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Comeback Player of the Year: QB Carson Palmer (Arizona Cardinals)

After tearing his ACL last season, Palmer has come back with a terrific season thus far in 2015. Through 8 games he has garnered 2,386 yards, 20 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Putting him on pace for 4,772 yards, 40 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. This would by far be the best season of his career at the age of 35.

Coach of the Year: Jack Del Rio (Oakland Raiders)

Del Rio has done a terrific job with the usually laughable Oakland Raiders this year. This season Oakland is 4-4 already having a better record than last season as they finished last season at 3-13. The Raiders are only looking up with the quarterback-wide receiver combo of second year Derek Carr and rookie Amari Cooper and a reliable running back in Latavius Murray. Look for the Raiders to make a run at the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

NFL Playoff Predictions

AFC Predictions:

1. New England Patriots

2. Denver Broncos

3. Cincinnati Bengals

4. Indianapolis Colts

5. Pittsburgh Steelers

6. Oakland Raiders

NFC Predictions:

1. Carolina Panthers

2. Arizona Cardinals

3. Green Bay Packers

4. New York Giants

5. Seattle Seahawks

6. Atlanta Falcons

AFC Championship:

Patriots 34 Broncos 23

The Patriots offense will be too much for the Denver offense to keep up with and the cold weather in Foxboro will make for a tough game for Peyton Manning as it usually does.

NFC Championship:

Cardinals 24 Panthers 17

The Cardinals defense will be too much to handle for a Panthers team with limited weapons. Both defenses are similar in skill but the Cardinals offense is much more prolific and will lift the Cardinals to Super Bowl 50.

Super Bowl 50:

Patriots 31 Cardinals 27

Super Bowl MVP: Tom Brady

Super Bowl 50 will be one for the ages. An unstoppable Patriots offense against an elite Cardinals defense. The Cardinals offense will be able to expose a suspect Patriots secondary but the Patriots offense will dominate the Cardinals defense with no possible matchup for tight end Rob Gronkowski. The Cardinals will give the Patriots a tremendous run for their money in this game but in the end, Tom Brady will capture his 5th Super Bowl Ring making him undoubtedly the greatest quarterback of all time.