The pandemic has had a major effect on the season, with players undergoing daily tests, and with a few games needing to be rescheduled due to Covid protocol. The NFL has been very flashy so far this season, with many strong teams and exciting new stars. There are many different teams in competition for heads of both their division and their conference. The main competition in the AFC appears to be between the undefeated 9-0 Steelers, and the 8-1 Chiefs. The Colts, Ravens, Titans and Bills all look like they will get a spot in the playoffs as well, and could be difficult competition for the two 8 plus win teams. The Packers and Saints have been the best teams out of the NFC, both of which are 7-2. The Buccaneers, Cardinals, Seahawks, and Bears all look good to be playing or resting for a game next week on wildcard weekend. One NFC East team will also get a chance to play and most likely lose on wildcard weekend, as the east has been by far the worst division in football this season, with the 3-5 Eagles atop the horrendous division. Each one of these teams has gone on a big run before, and most definitely could do it again to be Super Bowl bound. All of these teams have playmakers on both sides of the ball and can score at any time. The playoffs look like they will be great this year, as many compete to be first in their conferences.
The NFL award races have also begun to heat up. Russel Wilson looks like the favorite for NFL MVP, or will at the very least, get some MVP votes for the first time in his career. Pat Mahomes does not appear to be too far behind however, and could easily catch up to him. I think Mahomes will wind up overtaking Wilson, who has struggled his past few games.
Defensive Player of the Year looks like it will be going back home to Aaron Donald, after taking a year off from giving him the award, with it going to Stephon Gilmore. Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt could also make some late season pushes to try and get the honor. Donald has been as dominant as ever, and I think he will win the award for the third time in his career.
Offensive Player of the Year appears to be a much closer race. Alvin Kamara and Dalvin Cook have been lighting the league on fire this season, and have looked like the two best backs in football, especially with Saquon Barkley being out for the year, and Christian McCaffrey missing some time. DK Metcalf and Davante Adams have been scorching defenses, and have looked tremendous this season, but I don’t think either of them will get the award. Mahomes and Wilson could each also win OPOY, even if one of them were to win MVP. Kamara has been phenomenal all year, and has surely earned the award.
Joe Burrow, the number one pick in the NFL draft to the Bengals, has surprisingly been outplayed by sixth overall draft pick Justin Herbert of the Chargers, who many analysts predicted to be a bust. Neither QB has been too successful in winning games this season, but the way each QB has played thus far has made many believe that they will be the future of the league. Tua Tagovailoa of the Dolphins has also looked good this year, but only recently took over for Ryan Fitzpatrick in Miami. James Robinson, an undrafted free agent RB out of Illinois State who is on the Jaguars, has looked like a top ten RB this season. Justin Jefferson, who played with Burrow at LSU and is now on the Vikings, has looked like the top WR out of this year's draft. The future looks bright for all of these players, but it does look like Herbert or Burrow will be getting the award, and the way Herbert has overcome adversity this season is why I think he will win the award over Burrow.
Defensive Rookie of the Year is also one of the more tighter races this season. Chase Young, the second overall pick in the draft to the Washington Team, has looked unstoppable at times, and has 3.5 sacks. Antoine Winfield Jr., a second round pick out of Minnesota to the Bucs, has already drawn comparisons to Tyrann Mathieu, a top five safety in football. He has been a key factor as to why the Buccaneers have the record that they do, and has helped their young defense become one of the best in the league. Winfield credits his daily phone calls to his father, a former CB of nine years with the Vikings, to his success. Patrick Queen of the Ravens and Jeremy Chinn of the Panthers each look positioned to give Young and WInfield Jr. a run for their money, but they have all looked like the next stars in the NFL. Antoine Winfield Jr. deserves the award in my opinion because of how he exceeded all expectations.
Comeback Player of the Year looks like it will be going to Ben Roethlisberger, who has led the Steelers to their undefeated season, and has been anazing since returning from his shoulder injury. Alex Smith also will get a few votes, solely because of how unreal it is that he has returned to the field since his devastating leg injury. Roethlisberger has clearly outplayed Smith this season, but the nature of Smith’s injury could give him the notch over Big Ben, though I believe that Roethlisberger will win the award.
Coach of the Year is down to Mike Tomlin of the Steelers, and Brian Flores of the Dolphins. Tomlin, who has coached the Steelers for 13 years, hasn’t lost a step in his ability, and has had a winning record each of those seasons. He has made the Steelers look like the best team in football, and will help give them a shot at the Super Bowl. Brian Flores has brought a new regime to Miami. They have a 6-3 record, and are set up good for the future with young QB Tua Tagovailoa being mentored by journeymen Ryan Fitzpatrick. No matter which QB has played, their offense has looked strong with Rookie Myles Gaskin, Devante Parker, and young TE Mike Gesicki. Their defense has also looked good, which itself is hard to believe considering that players were requesting trades after just one game last season due to how poor it was. Both coaches have led their teams to unexpected records, and each look like they still have a lot left to prove. I believe that Flores will win the award.
The rest of this season looks very promising, with the Playoffs and Super Bowl looking like it will be very close. The new crop of NFL players, including the rookie of the year candidates and other stars, already has many looking forward to the next few seasons.