2020 NFL Awards Predictions: Mid-Season Edition

Our picks for the most coveted honors in football

by Brendan Smith, Sports O’Clock Writing Team Member

Week 7 of the NFL season is behind us, and it is time to predict the winners of the major performance awards that are given out at the end of the season. During a year that has been ravaged by COVID-19, many players have still been able to produce great and consistent performances that deserve to be recognized with an award. The predictions here do not mean anything at the end of the day, but who doesn’t enjoy a little speculation. With that said, here are your winners…

(photo credits: The Athletic and Getty Images)

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers

67.4 CMP%, 1,820 YDS, 15 TD, 5 INT, 104.5 rating

Herbert was thrust into action in Week 2 after Tyrod Taylor sustained a punctured lung, and he has been more than impressive. Although he only has one win to his name, Herbert has shown the poise and precision of a veteran by completing over 67 percent of his passes, which is 13th best among qualified quarterbacks this season. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow could be considered for this award as well, but he has not been as consistent or careful with the football as Herbert. If Herbert continues his strong level of play, not even Burrow will stop him from earning this award at the end of season.

(photo credits: Troy Taormina, Ravens Wire - USA Today)

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Patrick Queen, MLB, Baltimore Ravens

48 TOT, 35 solo, 2 sacks, 2 FF, 2 FR

Queen has been at the center of a dominant Ravens defense that has led the team to five wins despite various offensive struggles. No defensive rookie has more fumble recoveries than Queen (two), and he has matched that output with two forced fumbles as well. Queen will only get better as the season progresses, which will make him a shoe-in for the award.

(photo credits: Charles LeClaire, CBS Sports)

Comeback Player of the Year: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

67.9 CMP%, 1,628 YDS, 15 TD, 4 INT, 99.8 rating

This was the easiest award to predict. Big Ben has quite simply been outstanding this season and has elevated the Steelers offense to a level that is leaps and bounds better than last year’s unit. While Roethlisberger’s three-interception performance against the Titans could be a concern, he has mostly played mistake-free football and has done well incorporating all of the Steelers’ talented receivers into the passing game. While claims could have been made for Cam Newton to win this award earlier in the season, his recent struggles leave Roethlisberger as the logical choice.

(photo credits: Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Offensive Player of the Year: Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans

161 ATT, 775 YDS, 4.8 AVG, 8 TD, 10 REC, 81 YDS

Henry’s vicious stiff-arm of Bills defensive back Josh Norman only sums up part of the immense talent of the Titans running back. Henry truly burst onto the scene in last year’s playoffs against the Patriots and Ravens and has continued his dominance this year, particularly with his 212-rushing-yard performance against the Texans in Week 6. Henry currently leads the NFL in rushing yards and should be able to win the rushing title if he continues to produce high level performances. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray and Saints running back Alvin Kamara are also good candidates for this award, but neither of them are producing at the same level as Henry.

(photo credits: The Athletic)

Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams

26 TOT, 15 solo, 9 sacks, 3 FF, 1 FR

No defensive player – correction, no NFL player – has as big of an impact on a week-to-week basis as Donald. He remains the best defensive player in the NFL and is on pace for 18 sacks this season. However, recorded stats do not tell the entire story of Donald’s dominance. He constantly draws double- and triple-team blocking schemes from opposing offensive lines to negate his presence, which opens up opportunities for his teammates on defense. Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns and T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers also deserve to be considered, but neither have quite the same defensive presence as Donald.

(photo credits: Christian Petersen - 2020 Getty Images, CBS Sports)

NFL Most Valuable Player: Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks

71.5 CMP%, 2,151 YDS, 26 TD, 6 INT, 120.7 rating

It is incredible that Russell Wilson has never received a vote for Most Valuable Player, but that should change this year. Wilson is in the midst of the best season of his career, and he is not showing any signs of slowing down. His 26 touchdown passes lead the league, and his 120.7 passer rating would be a single season record if it holds up until Week 17. Wilson is the main reason why the Seahawks have the best record in the NFC: his performances have largely made up for a porous Seahawks defense that has struggled to shut down opponents. The Seahawks are currently a Super Bowl contender, and Wilson should be awarded for making them one.

(Statistics taken from Pro-Football-Reference.com)

(All photos are cited properly. No copyright infringement intended.)