Written by Dave Birkett at Detroit Free Press
It’s the midpoint of the NFL season, so it’s a good time to step back and take stock of what has gone on around the league so far.
The Detroit Lions are about what everyone expected, a middle-of-the-road team that’s going to need a big second half to stay in playoff contention. That’s not out of the question, given the way the NFC North-leading Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers have played, but the Lions don’t have much room for error, either.
Elsewhere, the defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos are getting it done with defense again, the New England Patriots look as dangerous as ever, two rookie quarterbacks have taken the NFC East by storm, and the Seattle Seahawks might turn out to be the best team in a balanced NFC.
Here are my midseason votes for six of the league’s major awards, with two bonus categories:
Offensive rookie of the year: QB Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys — The Cowboys have the two leading candidates for rookie of the year in Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott, who leads the NFL with 799 yards rushing and is a big reason the Cowboys have the best record in the NFC. But Prescott has been nothing short of amazing since taking over for an injured Tony Romo in the preseason. Given the position he plays and the surprising nature of his performance, Prescott gets the slightest of edges.
Defensive rookie of the year: CB Jalen Ramsey, Jacksonville Jaguars — The Jaguars have been one of the NFL’s bigger disappointments, but Ramsey has lived up to his billing as maybe the top player in the 2016 NFL draft. Ramsey has shadowed opposing No. 1 receivers at times this year and has helped turn around Jacksonville’s defense.
Comeback player of the year: RB DeMarco Murray, Tennessee Titans — Murray isn’t returning from injury nor tragedy, as often is the case with this award, but he is having a huge bounce-back year after he was banished to the bench by the Philadelphia Eagles last year. The NFL’s second-leading rusher, Murray already has surpassed his rushing total from a season ago. But Andrew Luck could end up with this award if his Colts outperform Murray’s Titans in the second half of the season.
Coach of the year: Bill Belichick, New England Patriots — Mike Zimmer has a case, given all the injuries he has dealt with in Minnesota, but the Vikings have looked awful their last two games. I wouldn’t argue with Jack Del Rio, either. He has the Oakland Raiders atop the AFC West, thanks to some gutsy calls. But Belichick is the best coach in the NFL, and his Patriots successfully navigated difficult waters the first four weeks of the season with QB Tom Brady out.
Disappointment of the year: Carolina Panthers — The Super Bowl hangover is real, but who would have thought that the Panthers would be in this mess midway through the season? Playing in arguably the worst division in football, Carolina is 2-5 and had lost four straight before beating the Arizona Cardinals last weekend. QB Cam Newton (57% completion percentage) looks nothing like the reigning MVP, but the good news is that no team is running away with the division.
Surprise of the year: Minnesota Vikings — You could make a case for the Oakland Raiders, though I had them winning the division in my preseason picks. And the Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles certainly have outperformed expectations so far. But for the Vikings to be 5-2 and atop the NFC North after losing their quarterback, running back and both offensive tackles is simply amazing.
Defensive player of the year: OLB Von Miller, Denver Broncos — J.J. Watt has won this award three of the last four years, but his back injury opened the door for new blood. Miller is the most lethal pass rusher in the game, and his 8.5 sacks are a big reason the Broncos look playoff-bound again. Kansas City’s Marcus Peters has a legitimate claim for the award, too, though it’s historically difficult for a cornerback to win.
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