Part 1 - What Each Non-Playoff Team Can Do to Make the Playoffs in 2014
32.) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12 = 247-449)
Nothing. The Jaguars can't really do anything to make the playoffs in 2014. They don't have a really high draft pick. They don't really have enough weapons to ease a rookie QB into a productive position. That said, if they get that QB, in that division, they can be really competitive by 2015.
31.) Washington Redskins (3-13 = 334-478)
Sort out the RGIII Drama. They took one step in that direction towards that by firing Mike Shanahan, who was not getting along with RGIII. You have to pick the QB. That said, all year there were rumblings about RGIII, him being a prima-donna, him feuding with coaches, faulting teammates. I don't know how much of this is true, but he didn't respond well to adversity in his 2nd season. They need a coach who will get along with RGIII, but who will also hold him accountable.
30.) Oakland Raiders (4-12 = 322-453)
Stick to the plan. Like Jacksonville, they won't make it in 2014, but they have a plan. Reggie McKenzie is not going anywhere. I don't know if Dennis Allen will, but they have some nice pieces. They have uber-cap space. If they just get a QB, or if Pryor improves on his early-2013 performance, this is an intriguing team come 2015.
29.) Houston Texans (2-14 = 276-428)
Find a QB. Everything else is there for the Texans. Andre Johnson is turning into a damn good possession receiver, but it DeAndre Hopkins they have a guy who could become a solid #1/#2 receiver. They have the league's best defensive player. There's not too much to fill, despite their 14 losses. Most of them were close. They just need a long-term QB, and none are on that roster.
28.) Cleveland Browns (4-12 = 308-406)
Fire Mike Lombardi. Seriously, his hire did nothing for that team. Everything Lombardi said or wrote in his time as a pundit was mostly garbage. He spent money in Free Agency, but his first draft sucked. Good on him on getting a 1st round pick for Richardson, but now he fires the coach after one year. Nothing good has ever come with firing a coach through one year.
27.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12 = 288-389)
Hire Lovie Smith. This is the answer for a few teams. It isn't really Lovie Smith, but any coach that can hold players accountable without being a raging asshole like Schiano was. The Buccaneers are so much like the 2012 Kansas City Chiefs. They have so many good players on defense at all three levels. They have an offense with a few nice pieces (their line, Vincent Jackson) on offense. This could be a competitive team with just a better coach and nothing else.
26.) Minnesota Vikings (5-10-1 = 391-480)
Fix the Defense. This is a cloudy answer, but the biggest problem with Minnesota is their lack of personnel on defense. Their good players are mainly older (Allen, Williams, Greenway) and their younger players haven't developed as much as the Vikings would like. The offense, despite being a QB-Carousel, was good enough.
25.) Buffalo Bills (6-10 = 339-388)
Stay Healthy. It is amazing how the Bills are annually among the more injured teams. Their starters are quite decent, but none of them collectively stay healthy enough to make it all work. This year the main injury was to their QBs. EJ Manuel, when healthy, wasn't terrible, but he never got consistent games to really develop. The talent is there to make a Wild-Card push in a bad AFC, though.
24.) Atlanta Falcons (4-12 = 353-443)
Don't overreact, just push through. The Falcons are still a good team that had a down rebuilding year that was worse than expected because of a ridiculous amount of injuries. Even if Julio Jones and so many others stayed healthy that wasn't a 12-win team, but a 8-10 win team. This collapse allows the Falcons to recalculate. They can fix that pass rush in an instant in FA and if they get the chance to draft Jedaveon Clowney.
23.) Tennessee Titans (7-9 = 362-381)
Hope Jake Locker is the real deal. Honestly, the Titans are an above-.500 team with Locker healthy right now. They have few holes, but a lot of areas that need some work. If Locker plays like he did in September before his first injury, this is a team that can win a wild card in 2014, or even the division in Indianapolis slips up.
22.) New York Giants (7-9 = 294-383)
Get Healthy in Body (injuries) and Mind (Eli). The Giants finished the season 7-3. Sure, two of those losses were abject disasters (to San Diego and Seattle), but they finished 7-3. Their defense was quietly good all season long, holding up for an offense that was terrible. I don't know what happened, but that year by Eli Manning might be the worst year by a good QB in the middle of a career ever. Favre had a similar year in 2005, but he was older than Manning is now (Favre was 36-37). Eli can't be that bad again, and if he isn't, they could compete for a division title.
21.) Dallas Cowboys (8-8 = 439-432)
Jerry Jones firing Jerry Jones. There are a lot of things wrong with the Cowboys, but the biggest issue is that they're consistently mediocre, but good enough for Jerry to think it is working. They're good enough for Jones to keep his lackey Jason Garrett around. Good enough for Jerry to think he can pick his players. When Jones hired Parcells it showed he was willing to give up power when things were really dire. He has to realize they are as bad now.
20.) New York Jets (8-8 = 290-387)
Get Someone who can Run an Offense. They need someone who can tutor a QB. They need a better offensive coordinator than Marty Mornhinweg, and Marty's the best Offensive Coordinator the Jets have had in the Rex Ryan era. I'm happy Rex didn't lose his job (he's only had one losing season in 5 years), but like Lovie Smith and Tampa-era Tony Dungy before him, at some point you have to fix that offense.
19.) St. Louis Rams (7-9 = 348-364)
Change Divisions. Honestly, the Rams are a 2nd place team in about three divisions, and a 3rd place team in every division outside the NFC West. Technically they're a game worse this year (7-8-1 last year), but they're better. The defense is gelling even more, and their offensive pieces are starting to align in their roles. They just need Bradford to both be healthy and be good when he is.
18.) Baltimore Ravens (8-8 = 320-352)
Prove Ozzie can Rebuild without Ray. The Ravens have gone through a slow decline the last three years. They were a very good 12-4 in 2011. They were 10-6 last season, though they had their miracle run to the Super Bowl. They're 8-8 this year. Some of this goes on Harbaugh, but most goes on the aging and drain of defensive talent and leadership. Ozzie needs to overhaul the defensive leaders, and Joe Flacco needs to start earning that contract.
17.) Detroit Lions (7-9 = 395-376)
Hire Lovie Smith. If I'm Lovie Smith, and the Lions come calling, I answer and say 'Yes' immediately. The Lions right now are better on offense than any Lovie Smith teams in Chicago. The defense has all the pieces that would make Lovie's defense work, including a potentially dominant D-Line. The Lovie-era Bears were at their best with a healthy, powerful Tommie Harris, and Suh can play that role.
16.) Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8 = 379-370)
Fire Todd Haley. I really hope their late-season push has removed any potential thought of letting Ben Roethlisberger go. He's by far the best part of the Steelers. The other best part is the Steelers can still dominate bad offenses with their defense. But that defense hasn't played well against a good offense in quite some time. That needs to change. So does the mismatch between Haley's scheme and Ben's strength.
15.) Miami Dolphins (8-8 = 317-335)
Get some O-Lineman. The problems on the O-Line screwed the Dolphins. First, it made them the center of national attention for a few weeks. Then, it ruined their season in the Bills loss and even the Jets loss. Ryan Tannehill's gameplan changed as the line got worse, and it made an OK Dolphins' offense into a dreadful one.
14.) Chicago Bears (8-8 = 445-478)
Pray that This Wasn't their Best Chance. Everyone is saying how the Lions lost their opportunity to win the NFC North. No, I think the Bears did. The offense is good and will stay that way (quietly, they will finish #2 in the NFL in scoring - just a scant 164 points behind the Broncos), but the defense is bad and getting worse. The Lions should be better in 2014 with a better coach, and the Packers will be better with a healthier Rodgers.
13.) Arizona Cardinals (10-6 = 379-324)
Keep on Keepin' On. This is a team that, if they get better blocking, can be very, very good in 2014. They have a secondary receiver, finally. They have a RB in Ellington. They have a loaded, young defense that could be even better in 2014. If Carson Palmer plays the way he did the last half of the season, this is a dangerous team in 2014.
Part II - The Real Awards
Offensive Rookie of the Year
2.) Eddie Lacy (RB - GB = 284 rush, 1,178 yards, 11 TDs, 35 rec)
1.) Keenan Allen (WR - SD = 71 rec, 1,046 yards, 8 TDs)
This is really close. In a year with no good rookie QBs, we still have a really fun race for OROTY. I wouldn't be surprised, nor saddened, if Lacy wins over Allen. Both had to pick up some of the slack for injured teammates (for Lacy, it was Rodgers, for Allen, it was being made the #1 receiver after Floyd went down in Week 2) and both did it in spades. I'll go with Allen because rookie WRs having that type of impact are so rare.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
4.) Kiko Alonso (LB - BUF = 87 tkl, 2.0 scks, 4 ints, 5 pd)
3.) Tyrann Mathieu (S - ARZ = 64 tkl, 2 ints, 9 pd)
2.) Star Loutuleilei (DT - CAR = 31 tkl, 3.0 scks)
1.) Sheldon Richardson (DT - NYJ = 42 tkl, 3.5 scks)
Really good crop of rookie defenders, which is nice since last year was Kuechly and everyone else. Alonso started out the year hot with some excellent high-impact interceptions. He cooled off a bit on highlights, but was still good. Mathieu played really well for a rookie slot-corner/big-nickel, a hard role for even a 5-year veteran. Finally, Lotuleilei and Richardson were both great. I give the nod to Richardson, who had more tackles and half a sack more, and generally had more impact on his line.
Coach of the Year
5.) Sean Payton (NO)
4.) Bruce Arians (ARZ)
3.) Chip Kelly (PHI)
2.) Andy Reid (KC)
1.) Ron Rivera (CAR)
Loaded category this year, with all different types of candidates. There's Payton, who returned to an average team and made them great; and Arians, who took over a bad, but talented team, and made them very good. Of course, the real driver of improvement for New Orleans and success for Arizona were the units that Payton and Arians don't handle too much. Then you have the two guys who took over bad teams and made them into playoff teams. It's odd that Reid is a great COTY candidate, and the guy who replaced him in Philadelphia is as well. Both teams got a lot out of their new playcaller. In the end, I'll give it to the guy who rarely wins, the "coach who was the coach the previous year but just improved a lot" winner. This has happened before, notably to Marvin Lewis in 2009, but Rivera's defense was the league's 2nd best, he openly changed his game-strategy to great results. What more could you ask?
Offensive Player of the Year
5.) Drew Brees (QB - NO = 446/650 (68.6%), 5,162 yards (7.9/11.6), 39 TDs/12 INTs, 104.7 pr)
4.) Josh Gordon (WR - CLE = 87 rec, 1,646 yards, 9 TDs, 117.6 y/g)
3.) LeSean McCoy (RB - PHI = 314 rush, 1,607 yds, 9 TDs, 52 rec, 539 rec yds)
2.) Jamaal Charles (RB - KC = 259 rush, 1,287 yds, 12 TDs, 70 rec, 693 yds, 7 rec TDs)
1.) Peyton Manning (QB - DEN = 450/659 (68.3%), 5,477 yds (8.3/12.2), 55 TDs,/10 INTs, 115.1)
Loaded year once again. I've heard a lot of discussion about people who think that somehow because Peyton will win MVP that he won't win OPOTY. That's not really how it works. Peyton himself won both in 2004. Brady won both in 2007 and 2010. Brees didn't win MVP in 2011, but was a QB who won OPOTY. Manning should get the award, breaking the TD record and passing record. Charles had the most dynamic season, with McCoy right behind. Josh Gordon set the record for yards per game in a 16-game season. Brees quietly broke Marino's old record for a third straight year.
Defensive Player of the Year
5.) JJ Watt (DE - HOU = 65 tkls, 10.5 scks, 7 pd, 4 ff)
4.) Richard Sherman (CB - SEA = 38 tkls, 8 ints)
3.) Robert Quinn (DE - STL = 50 tkls, 19.0 scks, 7 ff)
2.) Robert Mathis (OLB - IND = 43 tkls, 19.5 scks, 8 ff)
1.) Luke Kuechly (MLB - CAR = 156 tkls, 2.0 scks, 4 ints, 7 pd)
Last year had ridiculous candidates. This year isn't as ridiculous, but has some really good ones. I think Robert Mathis will win the award, and it is hard to say he isn't deserving, but I like Kuechly's candidacy more. Watt gets a mention because he had a ridiculous season once again (double digit sacks), with another amazing 7 passes defended. Sherman is one of like three players ever to have eight or more INTs in back-to-back seasons. Robert Quinn had a monster season, and was better against the run than Mathis. Overall, Luechly led the NFL's 2nd-best defense to a suprising 12-4 record and #2 seed in the NFC. He was a monster in their biggest game, provided excellent coverage on TEs and slot receivers and was awesome against the run. It's been a long time since an inside linebacker won DPOTY, and he deserves it.
Most Valuable Player
5.) Drew Brees (QB - NO = 446/650 (68.6%), 5,162 yards (7.9/11.6), 39 TDs/12 INTs, 104.7 pr)
4.) LeSean McCoy (RB - PHI = 314 rush, 1,607 yds, 9 TDs, 52 rec, 539 rec yds)
3.) Jamaal Charles (RB - KC = 259 rush, 1,287 yds, 12 TDs, 70 rec, 693 yds, 7 rec TDs)
2.) Philip Rivers (QB - SD = 378/544 (69.5%), 4,478 yds (8.2/11.8), 32 TDs/11 INTs, 105.5 pr)
1.) Peyton Manning (QB - DEN = 450/659 (68.3%), 5,477 yds (8.3/12.2), 55 TDs,/10 INTs, 115.1)
32.) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12 = 247-449)
Nothing. The Jaguars can't really do anything to make the playoffs in 2014. They don't have a really high draft pick. They don't really have enough weapons to ease a rookie QB into a productive position. That said, if they get that QB, in that division, they can be really competitive by 2015.
31.) Washington Redskins (3-13 = 334-478)
Sort out the RGIII Drama. They took one step in that direction towards that by firing Mike Shanahan, who was not getting along with RGIII. You have to pick the QB. That said, all year there were rumblings about RGIII, him being a prima-donna, him feuding with coaches, faulting teammates. I don't know how much of this is true, but he didn't respond well to adversity in his 2nd season. They need a coach who will get along with RGIII, but who will also hold him accountable.
30.) Oakland Raiders (4-12 = 322-453)
Stick to the plan. Like Jacksonville, they won't make it in 2014, but they have a plan. Reggie McKenzie is not going anywhere. I don't know if Dennis Allen will, but they have some nice pieces. They have uber-cap space. If they just get a QB, or if Pryor improves on his early-2013 performance, this is an intriguing team come 2015.
29.) Houston Texans (2-14 = 276-428)
Find a QB. Everything else is there for the Texans. Andre Johnson is turning into a damn good possession receiver, but it DeAndre Hopkins they have a guy who could become a solid #1/#2 receiver. They have the league's best defensive player. There's not too much to fill, despite their 14 losses. Most of them were close. They just need a long-term QB, and none are on that roster.
28.) Cleveland Browns (4-12 = 308-406)
Fire Mike Lombardi. Seriously, his hire did nothing for that team. Everything Lombardi said or wrote in his time as a pundit was mostly garbage. He spent money in Free Agency, but his first draft sucked. Good on him on getting a 1st round pick for Richardson, but now he fires the coach after one year. Nothing good has ever come with firing a coach through one year.
27.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12 = 288-389)
Hire Lovie Smith. This is the answer for a few teams. It isn't really Lovie Smith, but any coach that can hold players accountable without being a raging asshole like Schiano was. The Buccaneers are so much like the 2012 Kansas City Chiefs. They have so many good players on defense at all three levels. They have an offense with a few nice pieces (their line, Vincent Jackson) on offense. This could be a competitive team with just a better coach and nothing else.
26.) Minnesota Vikings (5-10-1 = 391-480)
Fix the Defense. This is a cloudy answer, but the biggest problem with Minnesota is their lack of personnel on defense. Their good players are mainly older (Allen, Williams, Greenway) and their younger players haven't developed as much as the Vikings would like. The offense, despite being a QB-Carousel, was good enough.
25.) Buffalo Bills (6-10 = 339-388)
Stay Healthy. It is amazing how the Bills are annually among the more injured teams. Their starters are quite decent, but none of them collectively stay healthy enough to make it all work. This year the main injury was to their QBs. EJ Manuel, when healthy, wasn't terrible, but he never got consistent games to really develop. The talent is there to make a Wild-Card push in a bad AFC, though.
24.) Atlanta Falcons (4-12 = 353-443)
Don't overreact, just push through. The Falcons are still a good team that had a down rebuilding year that was worse than expected because of a ridiculous amount of injuries. Even if Julio Jones and so many others stayed healthy that wasn't a 12-win team, but a 8-10 win team. This collapse allows the Falcons to recalculate. They can fix that pass rush in an instant in FA and if they get the chance to draft Jedaveon Clowney.
23.) Tennessee Titans (7-9 = 362-381)
Hope Jake Locker is the real deal. Honestly, the Titans are an above-.500 team with Locker healthy right now. They have few holes, but a lot of areas that need some work. If Locker plays like he did in September before his first injury, this is a team that can win a wild card in 2014, or even the division in Indianapolis slips up.
22.) New York Giants (7-9 = 294-383)
Get Healthy in Body (injuries) and Mind (Eli). The Giants finished the season 7-3. Sure, two of those losses were abject disasters (to San Diego and Seattle), but they finished 7-3. Their defense was quietly good all season long, holding up for an offense that was terrible. I don't know what happened, but that year by Eli Manning might be the worst year by a good QB in the middle of a career ever. Favre had a similar year in 2005, but he was older than Manning is now (Favre was 36-37). Eli can't be that bad again, and if he isn't, they could compete for a division title.
21.) Dallas Cowboys (8-8 = 439-432)
Jerry Jones firing Jerry Jones. There are a lot of things wrong with the Cowboys, but the biggest issue is that they're consistently mediocre, but good enough for Jerry to think it is working. They're good enough for Jones to keep his lackey Jason Garrett around. Good enough for Jerry to think he can pick his players. When Jones hired Parcells it showed he was willing to give up power when things were really dire. He has to realize they are as bad now.
20.) New York Jets (8-8 = 290-387)
Get Someone who can Run an Offense. They need someone who can tutor a QB. They need a better offensive coordinator than Marty Mornhinweg, and Marty's the best Offensive Coordinator the Jets have had in the Rex Ryan era. I'm happy Rex didn't lose his job (he's only had one losing season in 5 years), but like Lovie Smith and Tampa-era Tony Dungy before him, at some point you have to fix that offense.
19.) St. Louis Rams (7-9 = 348-364)
Change Divisions. Honestly, the Rams are a 2nd place team in about three divisions, and a 3rd place team in every division outside the NFC West. Technically they're a game worse this year (7-8-1 last year), but they're better. The defense is gelling even more, and their offensive pieces are starting to align in their roles. They just need Bradford to both be healthy and be good when he is.
18.) Baltimore Ravens (8-8 = 320-352)
Prove Ozzie can Rebuild without Ray. The Ravens have gone through a slow decline the last three years. They were a very good 12-4 in 2011. They were 10-6 last season, though they had their miracle run to the Super Bowl. They're 8-8 this year. Some of this goes on Harbaugh, but most goes on the aging and drain of defensive talent and leadership. Ozzie needs to overhaul the defensive leaders, and Joe Flacco needs to start earning that contract.
17.) Detroit Lions (7-9 = 395-376)
Hire Lovie Smith. If I'm Lovie Smith, and the Lions come calling, I answer and say 'Yes' immediately. The Lions right now are better on offense than any Lovie Smith teams in Chicago. The defense has all the pieces that would make Lovie's defense work, including a potentially dominant D-Line. The Lovie-era Bears were at their best with a healthy, powerful Tommie Harris, and Suh can play that role.
16.) Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8 = 379-370)
Fire Todd Haley. I really hope their late-season push has removed any potential thought of letting Ben Roethlisberger go. He's by far the best part of the Steelers. The other best part is the Steelers can still dominate bad offenses with their defense. But that defense hasn't played well against a good offense in quite some time. That needs to change. So does the mismatch between Haley's scheme and Ben's strength.
15.) Miami Dolphins (8-8 = 317-335)
Get some O-Lineman. The problems on the O-Line screwed the Dolphins. First, it made them the center of national attention for a few weeks. Then, it ruined their season in the Bills loss and even the Jets loss. Ryan Tannehill's gameplan changed as the line got worse, and it made an OK Dolphins' offense into a dreadful one.
14.) Chicago Bears (8-8 = 445-478)
Pray that This Wasn't their Best Chance. Everyone is saying how the Lions lost their opportunity to win the NFC North. No, I think the Bears did. The offense is good and will stay that way (quietly, they will finish #2 in the NFL in scoring - just a scant 164 points behind the Broncos), but the defense is bad and getting worse. The Lions should be better in 2014 with a better coach, and the Packers will be better with a healthier Rodgers.
13.) Arizona Cardinals (10-6 = 379-324)
Keep on Keepin' On. This is a team that, if they get better blocking, can be very, very good in 2014. They have a secondary receiver, finally. They have a RB in Ellington. They have a loaded, young defense that could be even better in 2014. If Carson Palmer plays the way he did the last half of the season, this is a dangerous team in 2014.
Part II - The Real Awards
Offensive Rookie of the Year
2.) Eddie Lacy (RB - GB = 284 rush, 1,178 yards, 11 TDs, 35 rec)
1.) Keenan Allen (WR - SD = 71 rec, 1,046 yards, 8 TDs)
This is really close. In a year with no good rookie QBs, we still have a really fun race for OROTY. I wouldn't be surprised, nor saddened, if Lacy wins over Allen. Both had to pick up some of the slack for injured teammates (for Lacy, it was Rodgers, for Allen, it was being made the #1 receiver after Floyd went down in Week 2) and both did it in spades. I'll go with Allen because rookie WRs having that type of impact are so rare.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
4.) Kiko Alonso (LB - BUF = 87 tkl, 2.0 scks, 4 ints, 5 pd)
3.) Tyrann Mathieu (S - ARZ = 64 tkl, 2 ints, 9 pd)
2.) Star Loutuleilei (DT - CAR = 31 tkl, 3.0 scks)
1.) Sheldon Richardson (DT - NYJ = 42 tkl, 3.5 scks)
Really good crop of rookie defenders, which is nice since last year was Kuechly and everyone else. Alonso started out the year hot with some excellent high-impact interceptions. He cooled off a bit on highlights, but was still good. Mathieu played really well for a rookie slot-corner/big-nickel, a hard role for even a 5-year veteran. Finally, Lotuleilei and Richardson were both great. I give the nod to Richardson, who had more tackles and half a sack more, and generally had more impact on his line.
Coach of the Year
5.) Sean Payton (NO)
4.) Bruce Arians (ARZ)
3.) Chip Kelly (PHI)
2.) Andy Reid (KC)
1.) Ron Rivera (CAR)
Loaded category this year, with all different types of candidates. There's Payton, who returned to an average team and made them great; and Arians, who took over a bad, but talented team, and made them very good. Of course, the real driver of improvement for New Orleans and success for Arizona were the units that Payton and Arians don't handle too much. Then you have the two guys who took over bad teams and made them into playoff teams. It's odd that Reid is a great COTY candidate, and the guy who replaced him in Philadelphia is as well. Both teams got a lot out of their new playcaller. In the end, I'll give it to the guy who rarely wins, the "coach who was the coach the previous year but just improved a lot" winner. This has happened before, notably to Marvin Lewis in 2009, but Rivera's defense was the league's 2nd best, he openly changed his game-strategy to great results. What more could you ask?
Offensive Player of the Year
5.) Drew Brees (QB - NO = 446/650 (68.6%), 5,162 yards (7.9/11.6), 39 TDs/12 INTs, 104.7 pr)
4.) Josh Gordon (WR - CLE = 87 rec, 1,646 yards, 9 TDs, 117.6 y/g)
3.) LeSean McCoy (RB - PHI = 314 rush, 1,607 yds, 9 TDs, 52 rec, 539 rec yds)
2.) Jamaal Charles (RB - KC = 259 rush, 1,287 yds, 12 TDs, 70 rec, 693 yds, 7 rec TDs)
1.) Peyton Manning (QB - DEN = 450/659 (68.3%), 5,477 yds (8.3/12.2), 55 TDs,/10 INTs, 115.1)
Loaded year once again. I've heard a lot of discussion about people who think that somehow because Peyton will win MVP that he won't win OPOTY. That's not really how it works. Peyton himself won both in 2004. Brady won both in 2007 and 2010. Brees didn't win MVP in 2011, but was a QB who won OPOTY. Manning should get the award, breaking the TD record and passing record. Charles had the most dynamic season, with McCoy right behind. Josh Gordon set the record for yards per game in a 16-game season. Brees quietly broke Marino's old record for a third straight year.
Defensive Player of the Year
5.) JJ Watt (DE - HOU = 65 tkls, 10.5 scks, 7 pd, 4 ff)
4.) Richard Sherman (CB - SEA = 38 tkls, 8 ints)
3.) Robert Quinn (DE - STL = 50 tkls, 19.0 scks, 7 ff)
2.) Robert Mathis (OLB - IND = 43 tkls, 19.5 scks, 8 ff)
1.) Luke Kuechly (MLB - CAR = 156 tkls, 2.0 scks, 4 ints, 7 pd)
Last year had ridiculous candidates. This year isn't as ridiculous, but has some really good ones. I think Robert Mathis will win the award, and it is hard to say he isn't deserving, but I like Kuechly's candidacy more. Watt gets a mention because he had a ridiculous season once again (double digit sacks), with another amazing 7 passes defended. Sherman is one of like three players ever to have eight or more INTs in back-to-back seasons. Robert Quinn had a monster season, and was better against the run than Mathis. Overall, Luechly led the NFL's 2nd-best defense to a suprising 12-4 record and #2 seed in the NFC. He was a monster in their biggest game, provided excellent coverage on TEs and slot receivers and was awesome against the run. It's been a long time since an inside linebacker won DPOTY, and he deserves it.
Most Valuable Player
5.) Drew Brees (QB - NO = 446/650 (68.6%), 5,162 yards (7.9/11.6), 39 TDs/12 INTs, 104.7 pr)
4.) LeSean McCoy (RB - PHI = 314 rush, 1,607 yds, 9 TDs, 52 rec, 539 rec yds)
3.) Jamaal Charles (RB - KC = 259 rush, 1,287 yds, 12 TDs, 70 rec, 693 yds, 7 rec TDs)
2.) Philip Rivers (QB - SD = 378/544 (69.5%), 4,478 yds (8.2/11.8), 32 TDs/11 INTs, 105.5 pr)
1.) Peyton Manning (QB - DEN = 450/659 (68.3%), 5,477 yds (8.3/12.2), 55 TDs,/10 INTs, 115.1)
With his TDs and Yards and team being 13-3, Manning will win the award. Hopefully unanimously. The bigger question is who would be 2nd place. Unlike baseball, the PFWA only votes for 1 person, so we'll never know, but if anyone says it is Tom Brady I'll smack them. Philip Rivers had the exact same problems that Brady had, with a lack of weapons, losing his top two receivers, and an average o-line. He had an amazing year, pushing that Chargers team into the playoffs. Charles, McCoy and Brees are candidates here for the same reason they were for OPOTY. They were really, really good.
