Staff Writers
As the 2018-2019 season is quickly coming to
an end standout stars in their respected areas appear to be favorites. The Most
Valuable Player, Offensive and Defensive Player, Comeback Player, and Coach of
the Year races are shaping up each with someone different leading the
conversation.
Most Valuable Player of the Year: Drew Brees:
Drew Brees has been one of the most consistent
players in the league. He has completed more than 75 percent of his passes,
which is 3 percent less than the record for completion percentage in a single
regular season. The previous record was set by him as well. He is also leading
the league in total QBR rating at 83.6. He might not be the league leader for
touchdowns, but he is still 3rd and has the highest touchdown to interception
ratio. He takes care of the football, reducing turnovers, making his team win.
He is a leader on field as he led his team to a ten game winning streak before
falling to the Cowboys. With his team at the top of the NFC it is his title to
lose.
Offensive Player of the Year: Patrick Mahomes
Second year player and first year starter has
started his career with a huge bang. Head Coach Andy Reid took a gamble last
year trading their reliable veteran quarterback, Alex Smith, to the Redskins
leaving his team in Mahomes hands. Mahomes had a great college career at Texas
Tech scoring many touchdowns and leading his team many wins but was never the
most outstanding player during his time. But in his first game at the NFL level
Mahomes burst onto the scene throwing for four touchdowns against the Los
Angeles Chargers. Through eight games he broke the record for most touchdowns
in a players first eight games with 22 touchdowns. Next, he broke the record
for most touchdowns in a season by a Chiefs quarterback with 31, passing all
time great Len Dawson. As the year starts to come to an end Patrick Mahomes is
in the headlines as he chases the all time record for the most touchdowns in a
season held by Peyton Manning. After eleven games it is safe to say Andy Reid
made the smart move making Patrick Mahomes his franchise quarterback with all
of Mahomes potential awards already beginning to add up.
Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Donald
It was not an easy offseason for Aaron Donald
but it ended with a big pay day. This deal was record breaking making him the
highest paid defensive player in the league with the deal being worth 135
million. This deal finally ended his season long holdout and allowed him to
just focus on football. After last year winning Defensive Player of the Year
Donald has only followed up that season with better stats this year. He has
already passed his previous tackle and sack totals, on pace for over 20 sacks
this year. Aaron Donald has headlined a superb defensive line that has been
holding together a dynamic but dysfunctional defense. The Los Angeles Rams are
hoping Aaron Donald is able to maintain this caliber of play for the rest of
the remaining five years on ths mega deal.
Comeback Player of the Year: Andrew Luck
Andrew Luck is the front runner for 2018-2019
Comeback Player of the Year. He is accompanied by many stars, some historic
legends, as well, such as J.J. Watt, Aaron Rodgers, and David Johnson and Luck
has been outperforming them all. Luck is basically carrying his team, and after
a 1-5 start to the season he is on a five game win streak putting his team in
playoff contention. In his first season back since not even being able to throw
a football in two years he is second in the league in touchdowns and carrying
his team into the playoffs. Between injuries and non-existing skill at Lucks
disposal he is making his surrounding players on offensive look very good.
Coach of the Year: Matt Nagy
First year head coach Matt Nagy has looked
like an established veteran up to this point as the new Chicago Bears head
coach. Previously, he was apart of Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs staff
which is obvious after studying his coaching style. He has shown to be an
aggressive offensive minded coach but has not forgotten about his defense. It
would be difficult to forget about them after the season they have been having
helping out their coach contributing to all these wins. Nagy along with the
front office has also made some great decisions resigning key defensive players
and adding to their defensive unit, along with adding skilled wide receivers in
the draft and through free agency. It will be interesting to see how the rest
of the 2018-2019 season goes for the first year coach as they are destined for
the playoffs.
