Mahomes for MVP? : NFL Award Predictions for the 2020-21 season

Most Valuable Player

Honorable Mention: Kyler Murray

Kyler Murray makes a strong case for Most Valuable Player. Through 13 games, Kyler passed for 19 touchdowns and rushed for 11 touchdowns. His 29-scrimmage touchdowns are third in the league. Murray is also on track to rush for almost 1000 yards and pass for over 4200 yards, which would be an NFL record. Throughout the season, he has had some impressive moves including three fourth-quarter comebacks and a hail mary against the Bills.

Murray is often compared to the reigning-MVP Lamar Jackson because of his ability to pass and rush the ball. Although Murray has had impressive individual performances, the Cardinals’ win-loss record of 6-4, which is unimpressive in comparison to the team records of other MVP candidates. Furthermore, he has averaged a turnover per game. Though Kyler has his faults, if he brings the Cardinals to the top of the NFC West and reduces his turnovers, he could win the MVP over Aaron Rodgers or Patrick Mahomes by the end of the season.

Runner-Up: Patrick Mahomes

Does Patrick Mahomes really deserve the Most Valuable Player Award? Currently, Mahomes plays with an offense consisting of eight pro bowlers and three first-round picks. This offense has helped Mahomes lead the league in passing yards. The highest-paid quarterback has an elite and well-coached defense that has allowed the eighth fewest points in the NFL. Although Patrick plays with a great supporting cast, we can not attribute his success just to his roster.

Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce are not the players throwing 60-yard balls and extending plays when they seem over. The Chiefs’ defense is also not responsible for his two-game winning drives. Mahomes, with some help from his team, has dismantled strong defenses like the Buccaneers and Bills. With his game-winning drives and offensive weapons, Mahomes sits right behind Aaron Rodgers in completion percentage and touchdowns. Although Patrick Mahomes has performed at such a high level, Aaron Rodgers still edges him out due to Rodgers’ less talented offense and his slightly better offensive statistics.

However, if it were not for Aaron Rodgers, Mahomes would deserve the Most Valuable Player Award. Although some may say that his elite production is due to his elite supporting cast, that is simply not true. Quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Kirk Cousins are surrounded by elite offenses but do not perform near the level of Patrick Mahomes. First, Mahomes leads the league in passing yards and lowest turnover ratio. He also has passed for the league-best 27 touchdowns. Through ten games, Patrick Mahomes has led the Kansas City Chiefs to a 9-1 record with two fourth-quarter comebacks. The all-pro’s offense leads the NFL in points per game while playing against top defenses such as the Ravens and Bills.

MVP: Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers has proved that he can still perform at an MVP-caliber level after two years with a lower passer rating and completion percentage compared to his former seasons. In the 2020 season, we have seen Rodgers throw no-look passes, tie games with seconds left on the clock, and dismantle top-ranked teams even with a lackluster Green Bay Packers’ defense. Because of Rodgers’ passing, the Packers’ offense scores over 30 points per game. Through 13 games, Aaron Rodgers has scored 41 touchdowns, passed for over 3600 yards, and currently leads the league in passer rating at 119.6. He has achieved these statistics while working with a thin and injury-riddled offense. Even more impressive, in 12 games, the future Hall of Famer has scored three or more touchdowns. With Aaron Rodgers, the Packers have clinched the NFC North with a 10-3 record. Rodgers’ 2020 performance resembles his 2011 performance where he won MVP because of his record-breaking passer rating and efficiency. Since Aaron Rodgers is so pivotal for the Packer’s success, he deserves MVP.

Offensive Player of The Year

Runner Up: Derek Henry

Derek Henry has been unstoppable this season. Through week eleven, the Titans running back is on pace to reclaim his rushing title and rush for over 14 touchdowns. Some memorable moments are his 94-yard rushing touchdown in his 264-scrimmage yard performance and his herculean stiff-arm on former lockdown corner Josh Norman. If not for Henry’s clutch ability, the Titans may not have had a winning record. His 30-yard rushing touchdown in overtime helped the Titans defeat the Ravens, and his 50-yard reception and wildcat rushing touchdown helped defeat the Texans. Although Henry has been successful, the all-pro running back tends to be inconsistent. For example, he has averaged less than four yards per carry five times this season. Besides Henry’s mediocre rushing averages on some weeks, he is one of the hardest running backs to defend in the league.

Winner: Dalvin Cook

Fans are chanting “Let Dalvin Cook” for a reason. Although Cook has missed one game, he is only ten-rushing yards away from stealing the rushing title from Derrick Henry. In 2020, Cook has led the league in yards from scrimmage, yards per carry, and rushing touchdowns. If his play continues, Cook will end the season with over 2000 scrimmage yards and twenty-two total touchdowns. Cook is not as clutch as Henry, but the Vikings running back was responsible for preventing the Green Bay Packers from winning a Week 6 game and helping the Vikings win three out of their last four matchups. He is also more consistent than running backs like Henry and Kamara. Dalvin Cook will take home the Offensive Player of the Year.

Defensive Player of the Year

Runner-Up: Aaron Donald

Aaron Donald is dominating in the NFL once again. In 2020, Donald helped the Los Angeles Rams allow the least yardage in the NFL. The five-time All-Pro defensive tackle recorded an impressive nine sacks, seven tackles for loss, 26 pressures, and three forced fumbles. He also has only missed one tackle. These stats give him the highest Pro Football Focus Grade for all defensive players and show that he performs at an elite level with almost no mistakes.

Winner: T.J. Watt

At T.J. Watt’s current performance rate, he will win DPOY. This year, TJ Watt has been a defensive leader for the Steelers. The outside linebacker contributes a substantial amount to the top-ranked Steeler defense, which leads in several defensive statistics such as points allowed, sacks, interceptions, turnovers, and rushing touchdowns. As of Week 11, Watt has a league-high 40 pressures––nine of those pressures being sacks. He has also recorded 32 tackles, six pass deflections, and one interception. All these impressive statistics give T.J Watt a 92.1 grade by Pro Football Focus.

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Runner-Up: Justin Jefferson

Vikings fans were wrong when they thought Justin Jefferson would fail to replace Steffon Diggs’s impact on defense. Over the eight games he started, Jefferson has produced a rookie-high 848 receiving yards, four receiving touchdowns, and 45 receptions. Jefferson’s stats as of Week 11 mean that he is projected to have over 1300 receiving yards with over 18 yards per reception. Jefferson has to compete for targets with wide receiver Adam Thielen and has not contributed enough to the Vikings’ offense to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Winner: Justin Herbert

As of Week 11, Herbert leads all rookie quarterbacks in passing touchdowns, quarterback rating, total yards, completion percentage, and completions. Herbert is set to break the rookie quarterback passing touchdown and almost break the rookie passing yard records at over 35 touchdowns and 4,300 yards, respectively. Although his team has only two wins in nine games, many of his losses have been close battles against top defenses such as the Buccaneers, Saints, and the Chiefs. With Herbert's record-breaking stats and close battles against top teams, the Chargers quarterback deserves to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Defensive Player of the Year

Runner-Up: Chase Young

Chase Young, the second overall pick, has shown that he can perform at an elite level. The edge rusher leads all rookies in sacks with 4.5 and has recorded 26 tackles with five of those being for a loss. His impressive performance has helped the Washington Football Team have the 9th ranked defense in the league. Young’s first 10 games do not make it clear that he will certainly win the award, but if he keeps up his performance, he will be a strong DROY candidate.

Winner: Patrick Queen

Patrick Queen has helped the 3rd ranked Raven's defense stay dominant. In 2020, the linebacker has a rookie high 70 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 5 tackles for a loss. Queen's outstanding performance makes him the Defensive Rookie of the Year.