Mid-Season NFL Awards Prediction

By Finn Konary

Predicting the winners of the leagues most distinguished awards

The winner of the 2023 NFL Most Valuable Player award is…

Every year the NFL grants distinguished awards to both teams and individuals. Some are commonly known, such as the aforementioned NFL MVP and the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Others are lesser known, namely the Coach of the year award. Below is a list of Awards and who I believe will receive these awards at the end of the season.

Team Awards

Vince Lombardi Trophy: Awarded to the Super Bowl Champion

This year, the Vince Lombardi Trophy will be awarded to the Baltimore Ravens. At 7-2 the Ravens already have an amazing shot at the playoffs. With a dual-threat Quarterback in Lamar Jackson and newly acquired offensive threats in Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers, the Ravens offense will give any team in the NFL problems. It is said that defense wins championships, and the Ravens have a top 5 defense heading into week 9 (oddschecker) that compliments their offense. If Lamar Jackson can stay healthy, which he hasn’t been able to do in the Ravens recent Playoff runs, they should have a real shot at winning the Super Bowl.

Lamar Hunt Trophy: Awarded to the AFC Champion

The recipient of the Lamar Hunt trophy will be the Baltimore Ravens, ranked the second overall team through 9 weeks(NFL). This is the case mainly because no defense in the AFC can compete with the Ravens offense at its best. When this team gets rolling in the playoffs, they will be unstoppable.

George Halas Trophy: Awarded to the NFC Champion

The winner of the George Halas Trophy will be the San Francisco 49ers. Similar to the Ravens, the 49ers boast a powerful offense, with notable skill players such Christian Mcaffery, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, that will get them far, what will take them to the championship game will be their impeccable defense, ranked number 1 in the league (oddschecker). With a 5-3 start, they should easily make the playoffs and start their run.

Individual Awards

Super Bowl MVP: Awarded to the Most Valuable Player in the Super Bowl

The Super Bowl MVP this year will be Lamar Jackson, QB: Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens head of the snake is going to be a huge challenge for the 49ers defense. He is averaging 220 YPG and 47 YPG through 8 games, per CBS sports. He should be able to tear apart this defense through the air and on the ground.

NFL Most Valuable Player: Awarded to the Most Valuable player in the Regular Season

This Award should go to Patrick Mahomes: QB, Kansas City Chiefs, for the second year in a row. Already averaging 282 yards per game through the air and 15 touchdown passes through 9 games, Patrick Mahomes is the force behind his team's 7-2 record (CBS sports). With only one notable pass catcher in Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes does an impressive job turning lesser known wide receivers into relevant players.

NFL Offensive Player of the Year: Awarded to the best offensive player in the Regular Season

This year's OPOY will be Tyreek Hill: WR, Miami Dolphins. Tyreek is already tearing it up in Miami; with an impressive 8 touchdowns through 9 games. In an offense heavy team, with an offensive minded coach he should continue to put up impressive stat lines throughout the season. Furthermore, his unique speed makes him unguardable for nearly every defense in the NFL.

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: Awarded to the best defensive player in the Regular Season

The best defensive player in the regular season will be Danielle Hunter: LB, Minnesota Vikings. Through nine weeks, he only has .5 more sacks than T.J. Watt, however, he is still the sack leader so far, with 10 sacks. In addition, he leads the pack in tackles for loss and is tied for most forced fumbles (ESPN). He is poised to continue this explosive start.

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: Awarded to the best offensive first-year player in the regular season

This award will go to C.J. Stroud: QB, Houston Texans. Stroud has had a very colorful start to his career. He boasts an impressive 14-1 TD-INT ratio through 9 games, as well as most recently leading his team to a victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he put up record breaking numbers for a rookie, with 470 yards and 5 touchdowns thrown. With budding weapons at receiver in Tank Dell and others, as well as a strong running game, involving Dameon Pierce and Devin Singletary, to take some of the pressure off him. He should be able to continue his success this season, and throughout his career.

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: Awarded to the best defensive first-year player in the regular season

The DROY will be Jalen Carter: DT, Philadelphia Eagles. He is shining on a star-studded defense. To be doing this means he is doing something truly special. With 3.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 5 tackles for loss, (ESPN), He is truly developing into an intimidating defensive presence.

Coach of The Year Award: Awarded to the best head coach in the NFL

The Coach of The Year award will fall to Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions. Campbell took the job in January of 2021, per Pro Football Network’s A.J. Shulte. His first year as a head coach had them at 9-8, missing the playoffs (StatMuse). This season, however, Campbell has coached his team to an impressive 6-2 record through 8 games, notably beating the defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs in week one. This year's turnaround shows Campbell’s ability to bring the team together in the offseason.