With a little over a month left in the regular season, the contenders and pretenders have emerged in the National Football League. There are teams already planning draft strategies while others are looking at getting that extra edge in January. Let’s take a look at some of the standouts so far in the season.
Rookie of the Year
Jayden Daniels
Washington entered the season with low expectations as turnover was high in the offseason. None of us could have predicted the Commanders would be an above-average team already. Rookie QB Jayden Daniels has surpassed all of the other rookie QBs from this year’s class. Thanks to the excellent play by Daniels, they have a chance to win the NFC East. They currently sit two games behind Philadelphia and will face the Eagles one more time in December which could decide the division title.
The team has a big divisional matchup against freefalling Dallas this week. After losing two in a row, Washington really needs this win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Many questioned whether Daniels was still suffering from a rib injury he sustained against the Panthers. His numbers have dipped since the injury, but it’s only two games. He can come out this week and rush for five touchdowns and shut down all of the critics.
Offensive Player of the Year
Derrick Henry
Henry is number one in rushing yards and number one in touchdowns, who else would it be? In true Derrick Henry fashion, he continues to motors past opposing defenses making them look like a JV team. He continues to get better with age and has turned an already electric offense into an unstoppable force when they are firing on all cylinders.
Unfortunately, this seems to be an issue for Baltimore. The Ravens’ offense is coming off their worst performance of the season putting up only sixteen points against the Steelers. Currently sitting in second behind Pittsburgh in the AFC North with a record of 7-4, the Ravens look like underperformers next to Henry.
Defensive Player of the Year
TJ WATT
The Steelers’ success this season can be attributed to their second-ranked defense anchored by DE TJ Watt. After being snubbed for the award last year, TJ Watt looks determined to show the league and any doubters that that was the wrong decision. The award went to division rival Myles Garrett, also a force to be reckoned with. Watt had the better stats including a league-leading nineteen sacks so he has a case for being robbed.
This year, however, the award probably belongs to Detroit DE Aidan Hutchinson, however, he suffered a broken leg and is likely done for the season. That clears the way for another showdown between Watt and Garrett. This should make tomorrow night’s game even more entertaining.
Best Team of the Year
Detroit Lions
This isn’t the Lions of old. Detroit is a legit 9-1 team and this could be the year they finally go all the way. We’ve seen crazier things happen. Even when they’re bad, they’re still winning. Jared Goff threw five interceptions and Detroit still found a way to defeat Houston. This offense is such a solid unit from the line to the receivers to Goff, they can pulverize opponents. After this week’s blowout win against Jacksonville, head coach Dan Campbell had this to say about his offense. He told the media,
“It all starts with our offensive line. When they play the way they played yesterday, it doesn’t matter what (plays) we call. We can do anything.”
Campbell, one of the leading candidates for coach of the year, has his team believing in one another. How’s that for confidence in your team? In that game against the Jags, Detroit scored a touchdown on their first seven possessions and set a franchise record for margin of victory at 46 points. They were so close last season, losing to the 49ers in the NFC Championship game. This season they look even better while the rest of the league seems to still be finding their stride.
Most Disappointing Team of the Year
Dallas Cowboys
Yeah… many of us expect the Cowboys to disappoint in December and maybe even January, but to be one of the worst teams before Thanksgiving? That’s new territory for Dallas fans. Their QB is out for the year, but even with him under center things weren’t much better. Their defense has been awful and their running game has been nonexistent.
Many players are in the final year of their contracts, and it feels like a major overhaul is coming in Dallas. From head coach Mike McCarthy to DeMarcus Lawrence to Brandin Cooks, there will likely be some new faces on the roster, One thing for sure is Jerry will be back next year promising fans yet another Super Bowl.
Honorable mention to the New York Jets, but it’s the Jets you should expect chaos and chaos only.
Super Bowl Prediction
Detroit Lions vs. Baltimore Ravens
Why not have some fun right? Aren’t we all tired of seeing Kansas City? Maybe some Swifties aren’t and I respect that, but the Ravens have to break through eventually, right? With the addition of Derrick Henry, this HAS to be the year for Baltimore. Barring a Detroit curse, the Lions should easily win the NFC this season. No other NFC team has looked half as good as Dan Campbell’s unit.
