There are plenty of individual performances to admire this season, and many league records could be knocked down because of these performances. These highly recognized performers have also been sources of the success of their teams. There is the exception of one player on this list, as he is playing A-plus football while his team is struggling to even display C-plus football. One head coach is getting a second chance and is making the best of it without looking back. These are your league award winners at the mid-point of this season, with one upset winner that will open your eyes so wide you would need to re-check your perspective of what makes a season performance admirable.
Comeback Player of the Year: Kirk Cousins, QB, Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons have been one of the most explosive passing attacks in the NFL. The long-awaited breakout performances of Drake London and Darnell Mooney, plus the rejuvenation of Kyle Pitts, have been due to the guidance of Kirk Cousins' right arm. Fourth in the league in passing yards and touchdown passes, Captain Kirk has the Falcons at 6-3 and sole possession of first place in the NFC South. The Falcons have gained the 4th-most passing yards and are the 8th-highest-scoring offense in the league behind Kirk's leadership. It has even opened up the running game for Bijan Robinson, as he continues flourishing as one of the young rising stars in the league and doing so many great things for this team after suffering an Achilles tendon injury last season in week eight. His three comeback drives against the Eagles-Saints, including a 509-yard, 4-TD performance against the Buccaneers, show his value to this team.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
Watching what Jayden Daniels is doing for the Washington Commanders has been fantastic. But the production of tight end Brock Bowers for a lost Raiders team is even more impressive. Only New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson has more catches than Brock Bowers this season. Bowers is also tenth in the NFL in receiving yards with 580. That total is fifth in the AFC and leads all tight ends in the entire NFL. He is doing this while playing under the 8th-lowest scoring offense this season, averaging no better than 18.7 points per game. The lack of stability at quarterback seems to be no problem for Brock Bowers. Since 2000, he has already caught the fourth most passes through the first nine games of a rookie season with 57 catches.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jared Verse, OLB, Los Angeles Rams
The retirement of Aaron Donald allows first-round draft choice Jared Verse to become the Rams' new enforcer on defense. By far, he is already filling that void left by Donald by giving the Rams' defense a boost of toughness in their pass rush and run defense. He leads all defensive rookies with 3.5 sacks and 8.5 run-stuff tackles at the line of scrimmage. He has brought tenacious energy to this defense, making them believe they can make the big play when needed. Contagious enough to make everybody else on the defense want to match that energy he brings. An improving pass rush and an improving defense due to his presence as a rookie is undoubtedly something to become impressed by.
Head Coach of the Year: Dan Quinn, Washington Commanders
With the assistance of a revamped coaching staff, Dan Quinn has made a monster out of this Washington squad overnight. This is not just a team that is turning things around. This young team is already playing like Super Bowl contenders with their 7-2 start, dynamic offense, and improving defense. So many drastic improvements in about every statistical category from last year have been due to Dan Quinn and his new coaching staff changing the culture under new management. Whenever you have players from other teams begging to be traded to yours, you seriously must be doing something right with your team. The new attitude was apparent in the close 30-23 loss to the Ravens. After that game, Terry McLaurin in quote, "We're going to continue to mature and keep growing." This team is quickly becoming one that is playing and behaving like a championship team, matching the mentality of their head coach, Dan Quinn.
Offensive Player of the Year: Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Derrick Henry is on track to become the first player in NFL history to produce a second 2,000-yard season. He is currently the only running back at a thousand yards rushing, and the season has just now reached its tenth week. He leads the NFL in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, carries, and yards per rush. The first running back to do so since Jim Brown in 1963. His average of 124 rushing yards per game this season is the highest of any running back in NFL history at age 30 or older. He and Lamar Jackson have been the reason for the Ravens being the number one rushing offense this season, with 191.9 rushing yards per game, 5.9 yards per rush, and 1,727 total rushing yards.
Defensive Player of the Year: Dexter Lawrence, DT, New York Giants
It hasn't been since 2006, when HoF edge rusher Jason Taylor from the Dolphins won this award, that a player on a team with a losing record was named Defensive Player of the Year. With Dexter Lawrence, for someone who lines up over the center and can still get to the quarterback 9 times during the first 9 weeks of the season, it is ridiculous. Just the Bengals' Trey Hendrickson has more sacks than Dexter Lawrence at this point. His ability to become a dead end for ball carriers at the line of scrimmage and rush the passer while breaking through multiple double-team blocks makes him the best interior defensive lineman in the NFL. Despite the team's 2-7 record, the Giants stand as the league leaders in sacks with 35 for the season. Dexter, leading the Giants' pass rush, has been doing this against one of the NFL's toughest schedules.
Most Valuable Player: Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens & Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
The AFC's leader in passing yards and touchdown passes has the Ravens ranked as the number one scoring offense and number one total offense in the NFL for the first time in their Franchise's history. Jackson's 20:2 touchdown to interception ratio is the best in the NFL. So is his quarterback rating of 77.0 and his 120.7 passer rating. Besides the statistics, others would say the most valuable players right now are Jared Goff, Jayden Daniels, Josh Allen, and even his teammate Derrick Henry. Ask yourself this. Among the names that were just mentioned along with Lamar Jackson, which team is more vulnerable without that player? Goff is playing in the most well-rounded offense in the league, while Daniels plays under one of the best coaching staffs in the league. Just like Jared Goff, Josh Allen is surrounded by legitimate playmakers on offense. The Ravens without Derrick Henry are fine, but without Lamar Jackson are already 2-8 since 2019.
Since making this point, there is no way you can't see this award being shared by two players. Saquon Barkley, being the NFC's leader in rushing yards and rushing yards per game, has shown the value of having a tremendous dynamic ball-carrier. His third straight 100-yard game and third game with multiple touchdowns have him almost looking like LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006 or just like Thurman Thomas in 1991. His combined rushing and receiving skills elevate the Eagles to a new level of dominance. His skills have improved the passing game and made it much easier for quarterback Jalen Hurts. Coach Nick Sirianni has figured out that if he wants to win, give the ball to Saquon as much as possible. This team was already a galaxy of stars before he arrived, but Barkley instantly became their brightest star and their most valuable player. The MVP award was shared twice before. First, in 1997, Brett Favre and Barry Sanders shared it. Then, in 2003, Peyton Manning and Steve McNair shared it. So, why not for a third time?
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