NFL Awards Watch: Defensive Honors All But Wrapped Up, While MVP Race Has Major Drama
Welcome to NFL Awards Watch, my weekly column that will take a look at the five major awards handed out in the NFL: MVP; Offensive and Defensive Player Of The Year; and Offensive and Defensive Rookie Of The Year.
JONATHAN HUTTON NFL AWARDS WATCH ARCHIVE
The NFL MVP award is completely up for grabs and we have a great debate that doesn’t include the usual suspects.
It’s refreshing.
Think about it. We’re not repeating achievements for Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady. We’re not seeing a player dominate the category the way Lamar Jackson did in 2019. And we're not even including preseason MVP favorite Josh Allen in this week’s column. Yes, Mahomes won this award in 2018. And, yes, Mahomes is the leader to win his second MVP award as December arrives. But this competition is wide open. The next six weeks are about closing the deal. The race is on.
NFL Awards Watch: Week 12
It's a three-quarterback race for MVP: Tua Tagovailoa, Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes. (Getty Images)
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
QB PATRICK MAHOMES, Kansas City Chiefs
He’s the MVP as of this very moment, but there’s plenty of momentum building for Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa. However, unlike the two QBs who began the season with ‘prove-it’ expectations, Mahomes is the guy who is likely to actually leave us without an argument on how to vote. That’s what he’s done to this point, but the competition really begins now. Mahomes leads the NFL with 3,585 passing yards and 29 touchdowns through 11 weeks.
Two More To Consider:
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
TE TRAVIS KELCE, Kansas City Chiefs
I watch the Chiefs move the football and find points when it matters every week. Patrick Mahomes distributes a winning formula that usually includes big plays at crucial moments to tight end Travis Kelce.
There are three receivers who have already have 1,000 yards receiving this season. Kelce isn’t one of them. There are plenty of top receivers who possess incredible speed and quickness. Google says Kelce runs 4.6.
Even when Kelce hasn’t dominated individual games this season, he dominates the scoreboard. His worst two games this season are a great example. He combined for 87 total yards in performances against the Raiders and the Rams this year. He also caught five touchdowns in those two games.
Kelce is personally responsible for 72 points this season. Justin Jefferson and Tyreek Hill have combined for 54.
Two More To Consider:
OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
RB KENNETH WALKER III, Seattle Seahawks.
There's a new Beast Mode in Seattle.
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DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
OLB MICAH PARSONS, Dallas Cowboys
Parsons added two more sacks to his 2022 résumé against the Giants on Thanksgiving Day. He now has 12 on the season, one short of his season total a year ago. He's had six games with at least two sacks and he's one massive performance away from really getting his push for league MVP. I've asked several current and former players who would receive their vote for best overall player in the NFL. Many immediately said Micah Parsons (and that was back in October).
Two More To Consider:
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
CB SAUCE GARDNER, New York Jets
Gardner, like Parsons, is the easy choice for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Also, like Parsons, he's headed towards an All-Pro selection in his rookie season.
Two More To Consider:
Jonathan Hutton is the host of OutKick 360 and will write weekly about NFL awards. Follow Hutton on Twitter.