NFL Midseason Awards and Betting Odds: Patrick Mahomes is making his case to repeat as MVP
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Midseason MVP: Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes is the favourite to win his third career NFL MVP award through the first nine weeks of the season. Mahomes and the Chiefs are coming off a 21-14 statement win over Miami in Week 9, which proved Kansas City is once again alone at the top as the team to beat in the AFC.
As the Chiefs head into their Week 10 bye, Mahomes ranks third in the NFL in passing yards (2,442) and fourth in passing TDs (17). His only real blemish is the eight interceptions he’s thrown this season, but with an extra week of rest to prepare for Kansas City’s Super Bowl rematch against the Eagles on Nov. 20, Mahomes has a prime-time stage to show why he is still king of the NFL.
Jalen Hurts is a close second to Mahomes on the MVP odds board and Philly’s franchise QB could actually have the edge if you believe in voter fatigue. Hurts was a leading MVP candidate last year until a late-season injury took him out of the running.
There’s no question Hurts is the most versatile quarterback in the NFL as a legit dual threat in the air and on the ground. Over his last three games, Hurts leads the NFL in passing percentage (75 per cent), passing TDs (eight), passer rating (125.5) and he is fifth in passing yards (805). Upcoming games against the Chiefs, Bills, 49ers, Cowboys and Seahawks could help Hurts separate himself from the rest of the pack.
Offensive Player of the Year: Christian McCaffrey, Tyreek Hill
The race for Offensive Player of the Year is as tight as you’ll see, with 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey and Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill the favourites to win.
McCaffrey has done nothing but produce consistent results. He leads the NFL with 652 rushing yards and he has found the end zone in every game this season, racking up 13 total TDs (nine rushing, four receiving).
Hill is on pace to smash NFL receiving records this season. He leads the league in receiving yards (1,076), receiving TDs (eight), targets (97), yards after catch (408) and receiving first downs (50).
Defensive Player of the Year: Micah Parsons, Myles Garrett
Micah Parsons has been the MVP for the Dallas Cowboys this season, picking up 31 tackles (18 solo), 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble and a fumble recovered in eight games. The Cowboys’ shot at winning the NFC East is long gone, but it’s Parsons who is the biggest reason they are still in playoff contention.
Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett had a great first half of the season. Already with a career-high four forced fumbles, Garrett is also on pace to set a number of other career bests after recording 9.5 sacks, 18 QB hits and 19 solo tackles through nine games.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: CJ Stroud
CJ Stroud is easily the best offensive rookie this season as he continues to break records after nine games. Stroud had a monster performance in Houston’s Week 9 win over the Buccaneers, finishing with 470 passing yards (NFL rookie record) and five TDs. His 147.8 passer rating is the single highest passer rating by a rookie QB (minimum 30 attempts) in NFL history. Stroud is the youngest player ever to throw for at least 450 yards in a game and he is just the sixth player in NFL history to throw for at least 450 yards and five touchdowns in a single game with no interceptions.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jalen Carter
There’s also a pretty clear defensive rookie who stands above the rest in Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter. The former Georgia Bulldog has been a great addition for Philadelphia as he dominates matchups. Through eight games, Carter has 16 tackles (nine solo), four sacks and two forced fumbles.
