NFL Awards Watch: Patrick Mahomes Retakes Lead In MVP Race; Tyreek Hill On Record Pace

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

Week 9 featured solid play from the NFL's top rookies, but we begin with the MVP moment on Sunday night. Let’s get to it:

NFL Awards Watch: Week 9

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill. (Getty Images)

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

QB PATRICK MAHOMES, Kansas City Chiefs 

The Chiefs trailed the Titans 17-9 in the fourth quarter on Sunday Night Football. Then Mahomes, who had been slowed by Mike Vrabel and Shane Bowen’s defense for the majority of the game, played like an MVP. He scrambled for 18 yards on 3rd and 17, then followed with a touchdown run and a two-point conversion. Even on a night where Mahomes nearly set the single-game record for passing attempts (68) and threw for 446 yards, the Titans contained the highest scoring offense in the NFL for the vast majority of the game. Mahomes won the game anyway; that's what an MVP does. 

Two More To Consider:

BUFFALO BILLS BELIEVE JOSH ALLEN ELBOW INJURY MANAGEABLE BUT THERE’S SOME CONCERN

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

WR TYREEK HILL, Miami Dolphins

Another week. More Tyreek. "I'm like a kid in a candy store," Hill said Sunday, via the Miami Herald. His league-leading 1,104 receiving yards has him on pace for 2,085, which would make him the first player to reach 2,000 in a single season. Calvin Johnson has the all-time receiving record for yards in a season with 1,964 in 2012. The Pro Football Hall of Famer had 1,083 yards after nine games, 21 fewer yards than Cheetah, but I use it as a marker because Megatron set the NFL record in just 16 games played. Hill is on Johnson’s pace now, but also has an extra game to tack on yards. More importantly, Hill’s stats produce points for the Dolphins offense as they capitalize on his explosive plays. He’s averaging 122.7 yards per game, and his season total now exceeds these entire individual receiving corps: more than the entire depth charts of the Cowboys, Steelers, Falcons, Giants, Texans, Ravens, Bears and Titans. 

Two More To Consider:

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

RB KENNETH WALKER III, Seattle Seahawks

Walker has averaged more than 100 yards rushing since Rashad Penny went down with his injury. It’s not just explosive runs for Walker every week. This past Sunday was a great example. He had nine carries for 31 yards in the first half, then rushed for 78 yards and two touchdowns on 17 runs to close the game. He now has five straight games with 50-plus rushing yards and at least one rushing touchdown. The last Seahawks running back to accomplish a streak like that was Shaun Alexander. 

Two More To Consider:

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

OLB MICAH PARSONS, Dallas Cowboys

Parsons enjoyed a week off and travels north to face the Packers on Sunday afternoon. There’s a lot to be concerned about in Green Bay. Parsons is at the top of that very long list. 

Three More To Consider:

DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

CB SAUCE GARDNER, New York Jets

Gardner added another interception in the Jets’ 20-17 win over Buffalo. He was in on seven tackles and his pick set up New York with a field goal and a 17-14 lead. Gardner gave up a big play on the first snap from scrimmage, but finished the game defending Gabe Davis as Josh Allen let loose on his 4th and 21 heave down the left sideline. The game ended with Gardner doing snow angels on the stadium turf. Another solid performance from the clear frontrunner in this category.

Two More To Consider:

Jonathan Hutton is the host of OutKick 360 and will write weekly about NFL awards. Follow Hutton on Twitter.