Getting into Week 9, the races for key end-of-season awards are taking form.
Within the NFC, there is a sizzling duel for Offensive Rookie of the Yr that features two quarterbacks. In the meantime, one other QB within the convention is making a robust case for MVP.
Here’s a nearer look.
NFC East
DALLAS COWBOYS | LB DeMarvion Overshown, Comeback Participant of the Yr | A security in faculty, “DeeMo” was drafted to play linebacker in 2023, however the third-round decide suffered a torn ACL earlier than the common season and spent 2023 on injured reserve. Lately, he’s everywhere in the subject, main the crew with 31 solo tackles and trailing solely Eric Kendricks (93 %) for many snaps performed by a Cowboys linebacker (78 %) this season.
NEW YORK GIANTS | WR Malik Nabers, Offensive Rookie of the Yr | Regardless of poor play from QB Daniel Jones, Nabers leads the Giants and all rookie pass-catchers with 83 yards per sport, the sixth-best quantity amongst NFL receivers. At this fee, the crew’s first-round decide is on schedule to achieve 1,245 receiving yards in 2024, 60 fewer than former Big Odell Beckham Jr. wanted to win the award in 2014.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | WR A.J. Brown, Most Invaluable Participant | Sidelined with a hamstring harm from Weeks 2-4, Brown watched the Eagles go 1-2 with two passing touchdowns. He helped the crew win three straight video games with 289 yards receiving and two TDs since his return in Week 6. No vast receiver has received MVP, however with the second-best yards-per-game common (102) within the league, Brown is the alpha of Philadelphia’s offense.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | QB Jayden Daniels, Offensive Rookie of the Yr | Following within the footsteps of C.J. Stroud, who earned the award because the second general decide within the 2023 NFL Draft, this 12 months’s No. 2 decide is at present the odds-on favourite (-450) to do the identical, according to ESPN BET as of Wednesday (Oct. 30). With the second-best completion share (71.8) within the NFL, Daniels has the Commanders on high of the NFC East with a 6-2 document after pulling off a remarkable Hail Mary to beat the Bears 18-15 in Week 8. — Bruce Ewing
NFC West
ARIZONA CARDINALS | WR Marvin Harrison Jr. | Offensive Rookie of the Yr | Harrison arrived in Arizona with extraordinarily excessive expectations after his choice because the No. 4 general decide within the NFL Draft. His manufacturing has been a bit of inconsistent at instances, however he’s beginning to discover his footing and placing up huge numbers (26 catches, 411 yards and 5 TDs) for the 4-4 Cardinals.
LOS ANGELES RAMS | Edge-rusher Jared Verse | Defensive Rookie of the Yr | The Rams had a first-round decide for the primary time because the 2016 season and well used it to pick out an edge-rusher. Verse has 2.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss and 12 QB hits. He is a disruptive power and one of many few shiny spots on L.A.’s protection.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS | RB Jordan Mason | Offensive Participant of the Yr | The 49ers have already got one working again who has received Offensive Participant of the Yr on their roster (Christian McCaffrey). Let’s add to that listing with Mason, who has crammed in admirably for the injured McCaffrey, accumulating 685 yards speeding and three TDs on 134 carries (5.1 yards per carry).
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | HC Mike Macdonald | Coach of the Yr | This can be a lengthy shot as a result of the Seahawks are 4-4, but when they will win an NFC West title after lacking the playoffs a season in the past, that might give Macdonald momentum for the award. That is particularly so if the previous Ravens defensive coordinator can assist flip across the protection, which is persistently among the many NFL’s worst in current seasons. — Adam Gretz
NFC North
CHICAGO BEARS | QB Caleb Williams, Offensive Rookie of the Yr | The 2024 first general decide has met expectations, delivering two 300-plus-yard passing performances and main all rookies in landing passes (9). It’ll possible take a collapse from Commanders QB Jayden Daniels for Williams to develop into the betting favourite, however Williams holds the second-best odds (+650) on DraftKings as of Wednesday (Oct. 30) for the award.
DETROIT LIONS | QB Jared Goff, Most Invaluable Participant | After a tumultuous begin to the season, Goff has thrown for 1,171 yards and 12 touchdowns over the crew’s previous 5 video games, finishing 83 % of his passes and throwing just one interception. His enjoying model isn’t the flashiest, however his effectivity and accuracy have fueled the NFL’s highest-scoring offense (33.4 factors per sport) and has Detroit (6-1) atop the NFC as we close to the season’s halfway level.
GREEN BAY PACKERS | Security Xavier McKinney, Defensive Participant of the Yr | McKinney has been a turnover machine in his first season with the Packers, recording six interceptions via eight video games. He’s on observe to develop into the primary participant since Oakland’s Lester Hayes in 1980 to document 12 interceptions in a season and will contest the document of 14 set by Corridor of Famer “Evening Practice” Lane in 1952 with the Los Angeles Rams.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS | HC Kevin O’Connell, Coach of the Yr | Regardless of a two-game skid following their first 5-0 begin since 2016, the Vikings stay a critical playoff risk primarily on account of their offensive mastermind at head coach. With Sam Darnold at QB, O’Connell has orchestrated the seventh-highest-scoring offense (26.9 factors per sport), and he boasts the second-shortest odds (+500) on DraftKings as of Wednesday (Oct. 30) to win his first Coach of the Yr Award. — Josh Eaton
NFC South
ATLANTA FALCONS | QB Kirk Cousins, Comeback Participant of the Yr | It was simply over a 12 months in the past when Cousins suffered a ruptured Achilles towards the Packers. The veteran quarterback has been all the things the Falcons may have hoped for, finishing 68.3 % of his passes for two,106 yards and 14 TD passes.
CAROLINA PANTHERS | RB Chuba Hubbard, Offensive Participant of the Yr | The previous Oklahoma State again took the beginning job from 2023 free agent Miles Sanders and ran away with it. Hubbard ranks fifth within the league in speeding (593 yards), making him the perfect participant on arguably the league’s worst crew.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | RB Alvin Kamara, Offensive Participant of the Yr | The two-6 Saints have fallen aside, however don’t blame that on Kamara. The 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Yr has appeared higher than in current seasons, already totaling 812 yards from scrimmage in eight video games.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | RB Bucky Irving, Offensive Rookie of the Yr | Irving, Tampa Bay’s fourth-round decide (No. 125 general) of the 2024 NFL Draft, is the important thing purpose the Bucs have gone from having the league’s worst speeding offense for 2 years in a row to the tenth finest in 2024. The previous Oregon working again has 395 yards on 76 carries (5.2 yards per try), far outpacing veteran again Rachaad White, who’s solely averaging 3.8 yards on 67 rush makes an attempt. — Eric Smithling
