NFL Midseason Award Predictions

We here at The 3 Point Conversions love predictions. Even though it’s an inexact science, we have an enthusiasm for it that borders on obsession. With that in mind, we are about halfway through the NFL season and we think we know who is going to take home those lovely individual achievement trophies when all is said and done. So here are the NFL Midseason award predictions, courtesy of The 3 Point Conversion writing staff:

 

MVP: Russell Wilson; Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks

Most valuable, best player on the best team or a guy his team can’t do without? Nobody actually knows for sure how they choose NFL MVP. No matter how the choice is made, all arrows point towards Seattle Seahawks’ veteran, Russell Wilson.

The shifty signal caller is completing 68.4% of his passes this season and has only one game where he didn’t have a quarterback rating over 100. He has 17 passing touchings against only one interception and he has accounted for 20 of the team’s 25 offensive touchdowns.

Overall, Wilson has the Seahawks in position once again to make the playoffs. His manueverability inside and outside of the pocket makes it hard for defenses to stop him. In a division and conference where everyone is talking about another team, it seems we all forget about Wilson and his brilliance. – Ab Stanley

Other Writers’ Selections:

Alex Bab: Russell Wilson; Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks

Allen Fields: Aaron Rodgers; Quarterback, Green Bay Packers

Danny Thompson: Russell Wilson; Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks

Eric Urbanowicz: Russell Wilson; Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks

Mike Patton: Russell Wilson; Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks

Raphael Haynes: Russell Wilson; Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks 

 

Offensive Player Of The Year: Christian McCaffrey; Running Back, Carolina Panthers

In a year that’s been defined by the renaissance of the running back, there’s been several names that have come up for this award: Cleveland’s Nick Chubb, Minnesota’s Dalvin Cook, Jacksonville’s Leonard Fournette, etc.

However, probably the most productive back has been Carolina’s Christina McCaffrey. His 105 yards per game average and eight touchdowns are video game like numbers. More than that, he’s been the offensive Most Valuable Player this season having to carry a struggling Cam Newton and a rookie Kyle Allen.

McCaffrey could wind up as the MVP of the league. If not, he’s definitely been the offensive player of the year for his contributions to a team missing its leader. – Eric Urbanowicz

Other Writers’ Selections:

Ab Stanley: Dalvin Cook; Running Back, Minnesota Vikings 

Alex Bab: Christian McCaffrey; Running Back, Carolina Panthers

Allen Fields: Dalvin Cook; Running Back, Minnesota Vikings 

Danny Thompson: Christian McCaffrey; Running Back, Carolina Panthers

Mike Patton: Christian McCaffrey; Running Back, Carolina Panthers 

Raphael Haynes: Christian McCaffrey; Running Back, Carolina Panthers

 

Defensive Player Of The Year: Shaquil Barrett; Linebacker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had an up and down season thus far, mostly due to an inconsistent offense. What hasn’t been inconsistent has been the play of Shaquil Barrett. At the time of this writing, Barrett is tied for the league lead in sacks with nine, to go along with seven tackles for loss.

Barrett spent the first several years of his career with the Denver Broncos. In four years there, he had a total of 14 sacks. In his first year in Tampa he has come out of the gates terrorizing quarterbacks, with nine sacks in his first four games. Opposing offenses are on notice now and have made adjustments, slowing down his pace. If Barrett can find a counter punch in the back half of the season, he should take home Defensive Player of the Year honors. – Alex Bab

Other Writers’ Selections:

Ab Stanley: Nick Bosa; Defensive End, San Francisco 49ers

Allen Fields: Shaquil Barrett; Linebacker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Danny Thompson: Jamie Collins; Linebacker, New England Patriots

Eric Urbanowicz: Myles Garrett; Defensive End, Cleveland Browns 

Mike Patton: Shaquil Barrett; Linebacker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Raphael Haynes: Shaquil Barrett; Linebacker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

 

Offensive Rookie Of The Year: Gardner Minshew II; Quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars

This season has several legitimate candidates for this award but one stands out more than the rest and that’s Jacksonville Jaguars’ quarterback Gardner Minshew II. Besides have the best mustache since Tom Selleck in Magnum P.I, Minshew is having a rookie season for the ages.

After coming in for an injured Nick Foles on opening day, all Minshew has done is thrown for 13 touchdown passes and has kept the Jaguars in the AFC wild card race. You knew this kid was going to be special when he came off the bench and completed 13 straight passes against Kansas City.

He’s turned D.J Chark into the wide receiver threat the team has lacked since Allen Robinson was catching passes years ago. On top of that , he has rejuvenated a franchise that was dealing with uncertainty before trading star cornerback Jalen Ramsey two weeks ago. – Danny Thompson

Other Writers’ Selections:

Ab Stanley: Josh Jacobs; Running Back, Oakland Raiders

Alex Bab: Kyler Murray; Quarterback, Arizona Cardinals

Allen Fields: Gardner Minshew II; Quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars

Eric Urbanowicz: Gardner Minshew II; Quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars  

Mike Patton: Kyler Murray; Quarterback, Arizona Cardinals 

Raphael Haynes: Josh Jacobs; Running Back, Oakland Raiders

 

Defensive Rookie Of The Year: Nick Bosa; Defensive End, San Francisco 49ers 

When you think of Defensive Rookie of the Year, there is one name that stands out and that name is Nick Bosa. The San Francisco 49ers’ defensive lineman has been dynamite for the surprising San Francisco 49ers.

His use of angles along with brute strength has only bolstered the 49ers’ strength defensively. Like it or not, Bosa has been everywhere and is currently on pace for 16 sacks this season. More importantly, he has been one of the key cogs in the Niners’ defense being as good as it has been so far. – Mike Patton

Other Writers’ Selections:

Ab Stanley: Nick Bosa; Defensive End, San Francisco 49ers

Alex Bab: Nick Bosa; Defensive End, San Francisco 49ers

Allen Fields: Devin Bush Jr.; Linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers

Danny Thompson: Nick Bosa; Defensive End, San Francisco 49ers

Eric Urbanowicz: Nick Bosa; Defensive End, San Francisco 49ers

Raphael Haynes: Nick Bosa; Defensive End, San Francisco 49ers

 

Comeback Player Of The Year: Jimmy Garoppolo; Quarterback, San Francisco 49ers

Garoppolo played just three games in 2018 before tearing his ACL, ending his season and any hope for the 49ers. The team finished 4-12 without their leader.

What a difference a year makes. Fast forward to 2019 with a healthy Garoppolo back at quarterback and San Francisco is off to a 6-0 start. Although his stats aren’t great (just serviceable), his mere presence in the lineup has given this team confidence and it’s noticeable. Looking beyond the numbers, you can see what he means to this team. His overall impact should make him a favorite for this award. – Allen Fields

Other Writers’ Selections:

Ab Stanley: Earl Thomas; Free Safety, Baltimore Ravens

Alex Bab: Cooper Kupp; Wide Receiver, Los Angeles Rams 

Allen Fields: Cooper Kupp; Wide Receiver, Los Angeles Rams 

Danny Thompson: Cooper Kupp; Wide Receiver, Los Angeles Rams

Eric Urbanowicz: Cooper Kupp; Wide Receiver, Los Angeles Rams 

Mike Patton: Cooper Kupp; Wide Receiver, Los Angeles Rams 

Raphael Haynes: Cooper Kupp; Wide Receiver, Los Angeles Rams

 

Coach Of The Year: Frank Reich, Indianapolis Colts

Colts’ Coach Frank Reich has dealt with the most adversity in having his All-Pro quarterback Andrew Luck announce his retirement two weeks before the season started. Having this tough task on the brink of the season, he’s instilled confidence in a Colts’ team that many had written off.

Reich has helped young quarterback, Jacoby Brissett, play with the same poise that he had when he started and provided the biggest comeback in playoff history (coming back from 31 points in the second half) for the Buffalo Bills.

Reich has coached one of the youngest teams in the NFL to a surprising 5-2 record although many doubted they would even come close to the playoffs. With impressive wins against the Kansas City Chiefs on the road and their division foe, the Houston Texans, the team is mirroring the coach’s mental toughness. – Raphael Haynes

Other Writers’ Selections:

Ab Stanley: Frank Reich, Indianapolis Colts

Alex Bab: Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills 

Allen Fields: Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills 

Danny Thompson: Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers

Eric Urbanowicz: Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers

Mike Patton: Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers