With the NFL’s headlines featuring the conference championships and a number of coaching jobs still available – which could be filled by some all-time coaching greats, there is no shortage of storylines to look at right now. However, another important thing to look at right now are the awards for the season. 

 The MVP  should go to Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson, who was the MVP in 2019. Jackson deserves it over other players such as quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Christian McCaffery of the Forty-Niners because Jackson led the Ravens to the top seed in the AFC, and led them to a big win over the Niners in their regular-season matchup.  In 16 games, Jackson had career-highs in passing yards and completion percentage with  3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns with just 7 interceptions. He also chipped in with 821 rushing yards and another 5 touchdowns on the ground. 

For the Offensive Player of the Year, it’s between McCaffery and Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill. In a tight race,  CMac gets it because he was the most dynamic player on the top seed in the NFC, led the league in rushing yards with 1,459, and added 14 touchdowns. Plus, in 7 of his 16 games played he rushed for over 100 yards. 

For Defensive Player of the Year it has to be the heart of the Dallas Cowboys defense, Micah Parsons. Parsons had 14 sacks, which tied him for 7th in the NFL. But what makes him so valuable is his ability to play on the line, off the edge, or even as a linebacker.

Now for the rookies and Rookie of the Year. On the offensive side, there are two who are most deserving. One is standout receiver Puka Nacua of the Rams, a player who was picked in the 5th round of the draft, and managed to break the single-season rookie receiving yards record. However, even that can’t top the season Texans quarterback CJ Stroud had with 4108 yards passing with 23 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions. What’s more impressive than his stats is his leading the Texans to the playoffs as a rookie. 

On the defensive side, the best rookie has to be Will Anderson, another Texans player, who is so impactful when he’s on the field which was shown by his 7 sacks on the season. 

Last, but certainly not least, is the  Coach of the Year. While coaches like Kevin Stefanski of the Browns and Demeco Ryans of the Texans had great success this year, there is one coach who stands above them all: Dan Campbell of the Lions.  Not only has Campbell led his team to the playoffs, but his energy is what you want in a coach. There is not one player on the Lions team who doesn’t want to run through a wall for their coach.