We’ve officially passed the halfway point of the 2024 regular season which means it’s time to reflect on the season so far and hand out our midseason awards. There have been plenty of shocks and surprises along the way, most notably last season’s super bowl champions, the LA Rams, who look destined to miss out on the playoffs.
Sean McVay’s team joins the Texans, Packers, Steelers, and Raiders, who probably want the season to end now, while the Vikings, Bills, Eagles, Giants, Chiefs, and Dolphins, have all cemented their place as Super Bowl contenders.
League MVP
Source: sportingnews.com
The National Football League’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) is an award given by various media outlets to the most outstanding player in the NFL regular season. The winner is usually chosen by a panel of sports writers and broadcasters, but since 2010, one broadcaster from each NFL market has had a vote as well.
The MVP has been awarded annually since 1957, and while there have been many great players who have won the award, only a handful have been able to win it more than once.
1. Josh Allen – Buffalo Bills
No surprises here, Josh Allen remains the favorite in the MVP race, leading the league in total yards from scrimmage and total touchdowns. Still only 26 years of age, Allen can make all the throws and has four rushing touchdowns to his name. The Bills are seen as the favorites to win the Vince Lombardi trophy in the Super Bowl odds, but a large part of that is down to Allen’s talent, whereas other MVP contenders are playing with better rosters. If he continues to play at the level he is showing, then we’re looking at this year’s MVP according to the latest odds.
2. Jalen Hurts – Philadelphia Eagles
Hurts deserves to be in the conversation, especially after the Eagles’ impressive 8-0 start to the season which included the QB throwing for 2,042 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also became the first player in NFL history to average 300 passing yards per game and 50 rushing yards per game in the first three games of a season. At 24 years of age and his third season in the NFL, there’s a feeling that hurts is beginning to showcase his talent, backed by an impressive Eagles team.
3. Tua Tagovailoa – Miami Dolphins
The Dolphin QB led the league in passer rating through the first nine weeks, and there’s no doubt Tyreek Hill has helped Tua’s impressive stats. Concussion has hindered his progress however, with two nasty head injuries back in September.
Defensive Player of the Year
Source: steelers.com
1. Micah Parsons – Dallas Cowboys
Without doubt the best defensive player of the year so far. The second-year sensation deserves to be in the conversation for the best player in the NFL right now. Drafted as an inside linebacker, Parsons has transformed into a dynamic pass rusher.
2. Nick Bosa – San Francisco 49ers
Bosa is having a standout season with the 49ers edge and if he hadn’t missed a game time thanks to injury and a bye week, his impressive stats of 8.5 sacks, 27 pressures, and eight tackles for loss in seven games, might well see him above Parsons in this list.
Offensive Player of the Year
Source: arrowheadaddict.com
1. Tyreek Hill – Miami Dolphins
A big factor behind the Dolphin’s early season form, Hill has already amassed 1,104 receiving yards in nine games. He also leads the league in catches (76) and first downs (48) but the most impressive stat is the fact he’s already had four 150-plus yardage games this season. That’s just one behind the NFL record of five.
2. Nick Chubb – Cleveland Browns
Henry leads the league in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns (10). His receiving stats don’t stack up when compared to the other contenders for offensive player of the year, but he’s Brown’s go-to player for running with the ball.
Rookie of the Year
Source: seahawks.com
1. Kenneth Walker III – Seattle Seahawks
This is a seriously tight contest, but we’re giving it to the Seahawk’s running back Kenneth Walker III. The second-round pick has amassed 570 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 71.3 yards per game across eight outings.
2. Tariq Woolen – Seattle Seahawks
Standing at 6-foot-4 corner, Woolen is an elite athletic talent with rare length and impressive top-end speed, that allows him to compete with the very best wide receivers. He boasts four interceptions and eight pass knockdowns already. Unbelievably, he was drafted 153 overall.
3. Sauce Gardner – New York Jets
Gardner’s coverage skills have drastically improved the Jets’ defense this season, and he’s allowed fewer than five yards per target. More impressively, QBs throwing in his direction on the field of play, only complete around 50% of their passes. This rookie is already an elite-tier pass defender.
Comeback Player of the Year
Source: cbssports.com
1. Geno Smith – Seattle Seahawks
Smith’s stats are up there with the best this season, the QB has a 73.1 completion percentage, 107.2 passer rating, and 15 touchdowns to his name. A big part of the Seahawks 6-3 start and their run to the playoffs, Smith’s form is creating one of the biggest stories of the season.
2. Saquon Barkley – New York Giants
After injuries curtailed his last two seasons, Barkley is arguably making up for last time, helping the impressive Giants to a 6-2 record. His first eight games have returned 779 rushing yards and 189 receiving yards, including some huge game-winning fourth-quarter plays
One thing’s for sure, there’s a long way to go this season and plenty more twists and turns to come before we know who’ll be lifting the Vince Lombardi trophy at the State Farm Stadium in Arizona on February 12th, 2024.
