Flea Flicker NFL Midseason Awards

Byes and a 17-game season make it impossible to pick a middle of an NFL season. This Thursday between Weeks 9 and 10 is close enough. Here’s a look at some of the players and coach that have made the first nine weeks of the NFL’s 2022 so damn much fun.

Most Valuable Player

Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

It’s a toss-up between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen with Jalen Hurts real close. It’s always about the quarterbacks for the MVP award. I have Mahomes here simply because it feels like he has to do so much more than other contenders to keep his team at the top of the league. 

Offensive Player of the Year

Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins

Tyreek Hill should be in the MVP conversation but he doesn’t play quarterback. In only nine games, he already has 1,104 receiving yards. 

Defensive Player of the Year

Micah Parsons, LB, Dallas Cowboys

Micah Parsons is another player that should be in the MVP conversation. When watching Parsons play, the player that often comes to mind is Lawrence Taylor. I never thought I’d see, say, or think that. 

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Kenneth Walker III sneaks past fellow runner Dameon Pierce and receiver Chris Olave. With all due respect to Geno Smith’s fine play, I see Walker’s tough running as the main offensive reason that the Seahawks are one of the season’s most surprising teams. 

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Sauce Gardner, CB, New York Jets

Sauce Gardner is already in the conversation for best cornerback in the league. 

Comeback Player of the Year

Za’Darius Smith, LB, Minnesota Vikings

I’m sure that the “real” award will go to an offensive player. Running backs Saquon Barkley or Christian McCaffrey or quarterback Geno Smith. Barkley and McCaffrey came back from limb injuries. Smith came back from what? Not starting? Za’Darius Smith came back from a back injury. There are few less certain injuries. Smith came back from a back injury that took away a season to be one of the league’s best pass rushers this season. His play and personality has been infectious and he’s one of the biggest reasons for the Vikings 7-1 record. 

Coach of the Year

Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings

Preseason predictions had the Vikings competing for a top-10 pick in the draft. Kevin O’Connell has the Vikings competing for the playoff’s #1 seed. Perhaps, I’m a homer on this but few teams have so thoroughly exceeded expectations than the Vikings. O’Connell is a big reason for that.