Now that we are about halfway through the NFL season, we decided it would be a good time to release our opening ballots as to who should receive serious recognition for their efforts. Without further adieu, we present the “Ticket King Football Awards.”
Coach of the Year
1. Mike Zimmer/Vikings- This team has been through an emotional roller coaster the last two months. Yet, here the Vikings are, sitting at 5-1, and serious Super Bowl contenders.
2. Jason Garrett/Cowboys- The Cowboys were predicted to have a bad 2016. Yet here they sit at 6-1, the toast of the league, with a rookie quarterback and rookie running back.
3. Bill Belichick/Patriots- Without Brady the first four weeks, the Patriots looked like they didn’t miss a beat, and here they sit, at the top of the AFC.
4. Doug Pederson/Eagles- We know this, Pederson, the former longtime Packers backup, who learned everything while sitting on Andy Reid’s lap, is for real as a head coach.
5. Jack Del Rio- The Raiders are rolling along at 6-2, including an impressive 5-0 on the road.
Rookie of the Year
1. Ezekiel Elliot/RB/Cowboys- The Cowboys rookie running back, not Prescott, has been the reason for their 6-1 start. Elliot is on pace to run for 1,826 yards this season.
2. Dak Prescott/QB/Cowboys- Prescott has been solid, but let’s not put him in the hall of fame yet.
3. Carson Wentz/QB/Eagles- Wentz has been pretty good so far as well.
4. Kerry Hyder/DT/Lions- Hyder has been the NFL’s best defensive rookie so far, and is in the top 10 of several defensive categories.
5. Blake Martinez/ILB/Packers- Martinez has been the thumper the Packers have been looking for.
Defensive Player of the Year
1. Harrison Smith/SS/Vikings- This is why I want the NFL to embrace advanced Sabermetrics. Smith is never going to lead the league in any statistical category, except maybe big hits, but all he does is make play, after play, after play.
2. Von Miller/OLB/Broncos- Miller has been a terror of the edge for the Broncos once again this season, and is currently second in the league with 8.5 sacks.
3. Marcus Peters/CB/Chiefs- Peters has been the NFL’s best corner in 2016 and leads the league with five interceptions so far.
4. Lorenzo Alexander/OLB/Bills- The league’s leader with 9 sacks so far.
5. Zach Brown/ILB/Bills- The league leader in tackles with 87.
MVP
1. Derek Carr/QB/Raiders– This was our preseason dark horse for MVP.
2. Ezekiel Elliot/RB/Cowboys- Anytime you are on pace for 1,826 yards rushing as a rookie, with a rookie quarterback to boot, you are an MVP candidate, and a serious one at that.
3. Matt Ryan/QB/Falcons- This has been Ryan’s best season so far in the NFL.
4. Matthew Stafford/QB/Lions- Over the last 12 months, this has been the league’s best quarterback.
5. Harrison Smith/SS/Vikings- See previous comment.
