Written by: Chaim Cohen
(Disclaimer: These are predictions for who will win not who deserves it. I may disagree with a few of these but this is who I think the voters will choose)
MVP: Aaron Rodgers
I think for the second year in a row we will see Aaron Rodgers win the MVP. Although his season ended earlier than expected and in disappointment, we have to remember this is a regular season award. The only other real option for MVP would be Tom Brady, who led the league in pass yards, and touchdowns. Although Brady had better counting stats, Rodgers was much more efficient and had a league high 111.9 QBR. Rodgers had a higher completion percentage, yards per attempt, touchdowns per attempt, and a way higher touchdown to interception ratio. Most importantly Rodgers lead his Packers to the #1 seed, which is usually the main indication of who will win MVP. I think the MVP is more focused on standings and advanced analytics which Rodgers kills in, so that's why I think Aaron Rodgers will win his 4th MVP this season.
OPOY: Cooper Kupp
I think this year's Offensive Player of the Year award should clearly go to Cooper Kupp. His only competitor is Jonathan Taylor, who did play outstanding but not nearly the level Kupp did. For the first time since Calvin Johnson a receiver won a triple crown, most catches, receiving yards and touchdowns. Kupp came just 30 yards short of the all time season record with, 1947 yards. He also posted a league high 145 catches while adding 16 touchdowns. In all honesty this shouldn't be close and as well as Jonathan Taylor did, Cooper Kupp's season is next level. It will likely go down as the greatest receiver season of all time, taking playoffs into consideration.
DPOY: T.J. Watt
For defensive player of the year I think it has to be T.J. Watt. Although counting stats are not everything, when it comes to breaking records, the narrative is affected a lot. Watt tied, ex Giant, Michael Stahan's record of 22.5 sacks in a season. Although there may be some advanced stats about double team percentage that favor players like Myles Garret, Nick Bosa, or Aaron Donald, T.J. Watt still gets double teamed and what he means to this elite Steelers defense and him tying the sack record is enough for him to win. To go along with the sack record he also lead the league in tackles for losses, and forced fumbles. So although Aaron Donald is probably better than Watt, Watt put up better statistics this year so he will likely end up winning the DPOY award.
OROTY: Ja'Marr Chase
I think the clear offensive rookie of the year is Ja'Marr Chase. He is top 5 position as a rookie and there is nobody close to him from his class, offensively. He lead all rookies with 1455 yards, 13 touchdowns. The only other elite offensive rookie is Creed Humphrey but they are not giving this ward to a lineman. I don't think there is single NFL fan who actually believes this award can go to anyone else.
DROTY: Micah Parsons
Just like the Ja'Marr chase pick this is the only right answer. Micah Parson has a case for the defensive player of the year, this defensive rookie of the year is light for him. Honestly no need to give any advanced stats or anything he is just THAT GUY. There is no body else that is even in contention.
CBPOTY: Joe Burrow
For the comeback player of the year award I have it going to Joe Burrow. Although before the playoffs I would make an argument Dak Prescott may have played better, these awards are all narrative based. The fact that burrow is in the Super Bowl right now means he will 100% win it. He really played mediocre during the season throwing for only 3,769 yards and 30 touchdowns. Dak threw for 4,449 yards and 37 touchdowns. Even though he played better and had a higher playoff seed, these people choosing awards are extremely narrative based and Burrow being in the Super Bowl is all he needs.
COTY: Mike Vrabel
This is one of the few close calls. Although Belichick has a solid case I still think it has to be Vrabel. The Titans came into this year expecting to be one of the best offenses with a big 3 of A.J. Brown, Derrick Henry, and Julio Jones, little did they know they would all have various injuries the whole season. Suddenly the Titans were one of the worst rosters in the league with zero relevant offensive weapons. Despite there terrible roster they managed to be the #1 seed in the AFC at 12-5 while beating legit teams such as the Cheifs, Bills, Rams, and 49ers. The only person that we can really credit for this is Coach Vrabel. He never seemed to lose his cool no matter how bad it looked and managed to stay great with a subpar roster. Although things did not pan out in the playoffs that doesn't matter because his only completion, Bill Belichick, got blown out by 30 in their wildcard game.
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