Well, NFL fans, the regular season is just over a week away, are you excited? We all know that I am since I am shaking in anticipation for football to return. I have so much anticipation for the season that I am actually bored. To kill time for right now, I have decided to add onto my regular season and postseason predictions to the NFL with picks as to who will win the major awards at the end of the season. These awards include MVP, offensive and defensive player of the year, offensive and defensive rookie of the year, comeback player of the year, and coach of the year. As always, I will give full analysis of each pick, so here you go:
MVP: Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos
This is the pick here because why not? Manning already owns the most MVPs in NFL history, and he will lead what looks like could finish as the best team in the NFL. How often have we heard "Peyton Manning will have to carry his team" throughout his career? Well, it looks like this year won't be any different with a plethora of injuries and a suspension to defensive star Von Miller. Manning looks to own another piece of hardware for his already hall-of-fame career.
Offensive Player of the Year: Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions
How can you follow up on a season in which you break the NFL record for receiving yards? Well, as a Lions fan, a few more touchdowns would be nice too. With all of those receiving yards, Johnson only recorded five touchdowns. The touchdown total (and yes, the very small amount of wins for his team) were the reasons Johnson didn't get as much attention as he normally would for his accomplishment. Breaking receiving records is harder than breaking rushing records because with running the football, all the runner has to do is take a handoff and run. A receiver has to get open and hope his quarterback can get the ball to him. With that in mind, Calvin Johnson should edge out players like Adrian Peterson this season.
Defensive Player of the Year: Jared Allen, DE, Vikings
Perhaps the best pass rusher in the NFL. He was half a sack short of the NFL record with 22 sacks in 2011 and was snubbed for the award, partly due to the Vikings 3-13 record. Now the team should be fighting for a playoff spot, which means Allen will get more recognition for his performance. Don't expect a 22 sack performance this year, but he should win a close race against the likes of JJ Watt and Luke Kuechly.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Tavon Austin, WR, Rams
The most explosive player coming out of college brings that explosive play to the NFL. The big play threat the Rams offense sorely needed, expect Austin to put up some big numbers this season. Very comparable to Percy Harvin as a player, and Austin should be used in the role that the Vikings used Harvin in. Small little note, Percy Harvin was the offensive rookie of the year in 2009, so if Austin follows in those footsteps, the award is his.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Ezekial Ansah, DE, Lions
They are plenty of defensive rookies that may earn this spot, but Ansah is in the best situation as a player. A very raw prospect with little football experience, but he makes up for it with extreme athleticism. That and having his hand on the ground next to the dominant duo of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley helps his cause. With those two next to him, Ansah will get plenty of one-on-one situations to show his worth. Should be a tough race with Rams LB Alec Ogletree, Dolphins DE Dion Jordan and Browns DE/LB Barkevious Mingo.
Comeback Player of the Year: Robert Griffin III, QB, Redskins
I know I have predicted the Redskins missing the playoffs, but what other high-profile player is coming off of a big injury? So much speculation has been made on whether he will be ready for the season opener and if he can stay healthy all season. I know Griffin only missed the end of the playoff loss to the Seahawks, but he might earn the honors if he comes back playing the way he played in his rookie campaign, it wouldn't matter if Washington makes the playoffs or not for him to earn this award.
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