The NFL has now passed Week 10 for the 2021 season, and some players have played their best through nine or 10 games this season. Flurrysports has made their picks for these NFL awards, at this point in the season. Of course, there is plenty of football left to be played.
FlurrySports NFL Awards
Making picks for the NFL awards are Zach McAdoo, Zach Brunner, Luke Reimer, Henry John, Hunter Skoczylas, Trevor Land and Jake Sennholz.
MVP | NFL Awards
Lamar Jackson
McAdoo: Lamar Jackson is back to being a top-five QB in this league. Jackson has not had a consistent running back behind him this season. Despite this, Jackson has led the Ravens to the AFC North lead through Week 10. Side note: if Derrick Henry did not get injured my vote would be for Henry.
Brunner: Lamar Jackson is eighth in passing and seventh in rushing yards. The only person who has a greater impact on their team over their replacement is Aaron Rodgers, but he’ll never win a media-voted award ever again. We also know you don’t need the skill of reading a defense to be an MVP quarterback, so may as well give it to Jackson.
Luke: He is on pace for another 1,000-yard rushing season. The Ravens will go as far as he will take them. He has a passer rating of just over 93 and has improved as a passer
Henry: One could argue for Lamar Jackson to win Most Improved Player as well. As a former league MVP already, that would be viewed as a slight by most. In reality, Jackson has taken the next steps as a passing quarterback. He is complementing his game-changing rushing abilities with improved accuracy as a pocket passer. Jackson has already brought the Ravens back from two double-digit second-half deficits, something that would have been no more than a pipe dream even a year ago.
Tom Brady
Hunter: As much as it pains me to say this as a Bills fan, Tom Brady has been balling out and deserves to win MVP. He leads the league in passing touchdowns, is tied for the highest quarterback rating and is third in passing yards through 10 weeks — all while being 44 years old. His wide receiving corps is full of top-tier talent, and we all know how Brady plays when it comes to the end of the season for a top playoff spot.
Jonathan Taylor
Trevor: Jonathan Taylor has only had 20 or more carries once this season and still has over 1,200 total yards and 10 touchdowns. This Colts team is nothing without him, and he’s the best player in the league, with so many quarterbacks struggling.
Aaron Rodgers
Jake: Some of you may roll your eyes and contribute this to being a homer pick, but this season’s MVP thus far is Aaron Rodgers. The Chiefs game alone was proof enough how doomed this Packers team, and especially the offense, would be without him. He has overcome offensive injuries, Mason Crosby struggles and an onslaught of outside criticism. He has carried the Packers to a commanding NFC North lead, with 19 total touchdowns and two interceptions since Week 2.
Offensive Player of the Year | NFL Awards
Cooper Kupp
McAdoo: Cooper Kupp has had a resurgence, thanks to Stafford coming to LA. Kupp is having an absolute monster year, with 85 receptions, 1,141 yards and 10 touchdowns. All of those are just under his career-highs or tied with them.
Brunner: Sean McVay can finally call his favorite plays instead of coaching around his quarterback. Of course, his favorite plays are to his favorite player, and Kupp is absolutely dominating with this expanded playbook.
Trevor: Kupp has only played nine games so far and already has over 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. The Rams offense is one of the most potent in the league, and he’s the focal point of it all.
Luke: He has 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns through 10 games. He’s getting pretty close to record-watch territory.
Hunter: This is pretty easy. He leads the league in targets, receptions, receiving yards, touchdowns and catches of 20-plus yards. He has absolutely erupted this season, and that’s mainly because of Matthew Stafford. He’s nearly 300 yards above the next best wide receiver this season, so this one shouldn’t be too hard.
Jonathan Taylor
Henry: Jonathan Taylor’s 937 rushing yards through Week 10 are over 200 more than any other healthy running back (and just now TIED with the injured Derrick Henry). It’s anyone’s guess as to where the Colts’ offense would be without Taylor. An inconsistent weekly workload to start the year has turned into the second-year pro being the focal point of Indianapolis’ attack. He has scored a touchdown in seven straight games and also has over 300 yards receiving on the year.
Jake: The popular answer here is going to be Kupp, but the correct answer is Taylor. These two have had opposite seasons thus far. While both already eclipsing 1,000 total yards and having double-digit touchdowns, Taylor has done it on a more consistent basis, and in closer games. While a good chunk of Kupp’s yards and touchdowns came in the first three weeks of the season, Taylor has dominated Weeks 4-10, scoring the last seven games in a row. Taylor is also a dual-threat and can gash a defense on the ground and through the air.
Defensive Player of the Year | NFL Awards
Myles Garrett
McAdoo: Myles Garrett should set the sacks record, barring an injury this season, getting 13 sacks in the Browns’ 10 games this season. If Trevon Diggs did not get burnt so much, I would consider putting him here with his eight interceptions.
Brunner: Following the injury to T.J. Watt, it looks like Myles Garrett has the opportunity to run away as the sack leader. While Trevon Diggs will get votes due to his interceptions, he also has given up three touchdowns and 584 receiving yards, which is the second-most in the NFL.
Trevor: It couldn’t be anyone else. Not only does Garrett have 13 sacks already, but he is consistent as well. Garrett has recorded a half-sack or more nine out of 10 weeks this season.
Luke: He’s carrying an average Browns defense, with 13 sacks and 34 tackles through 10 weeks.
Henry: Many believed we would see numerous season-long records fall this season, with the addition of a 17th game. While it will take a breakneck pace for Garrett to reel in Michael Strahan’s single-season sacks record of 22.5, he still has a shot. Notching at least one sack in all but two games played to date is impressive enough. Add in the fact that Garrett has been battling through injuries makes it an even more remarkable effort.
TJ Watt
Hunter: This is pretty much a toss-up between Myles Garrett and T.J Watt, who are only 0.5 sacks away from one another. Garrett leads with 13 sacks, but he has played two more games than Watt has. Watt has more tackles and has forced three fumbles already, making him the more valuable defensive player and clear Defensive Player of the Year for me. It will really come down to who generates more pressure as the season winds down, but Watt looks like the choice for now.
Trevon Diggs
Jake: Trevon Diggs should be heavily considered for this award for a few reasons. Less than two seasons ago, the Cowboys’ defense was a lock to give up 40+ week in and week out. The entire culture has changed in large part because of him. His hands have ball magnets in them. Halfway through the season, he has eight interceptions, two of them for touchdowns, and is on pace to break Dick Lane’s all-time season record of 14. With an offense as powerful and lethal as the Cowboys’ can be, all those extra possessions are a massive difference-maker.
Comeback Player of the Year | NFL Awards
Dak Prescott
McAdoo: 2020 was a really bad year for Rayne Dakota Prescott. Had a great season going before breaking his leg on national TV and missing the rest of the season. Prescott has fired on all systems go since Week 1. He has been the Cowboys’ offense this season. No one is even close to winning this award besides Prescott.
Brunner: You can argue how good Dak Prescott is, but you cannot argue who will win this award. His injury got the most media coverage last season, and now all he needs to do is win the division to take home this award.
Trevor: This was the one award that was arguably decided before the season. Prescott is the lead man on a 6-2 Dallas team that has Super Bowl aspirations. Even though he’s struggled at times, he’s still the clear frontrunner.
Luke: Dak has led the Cowboys to a 7-2 record while throwing for 2,300 yards and 20 TDs (4-1 TD/INT ratio).
Hunter: He is the clear choice for Comeback Player of the Year because he’s been balling out and has led his Cowboys to first in their division, locking up a playoff spot. Many wondered if Prescott would even play at the same level this season. He’s proved everyone wrong and has thrown for over 2,300 yards and 20 touchdowns in eight games played.
Henry: No one will soon forget the gruesome injury Dak Prescott suffered in front of a national audience. The fact that he has come back and been arguably better than he was before is truly remarkable. Unless things completely go sideways and Dallas loses their firm grip on the NFC East Division, Prescott is a lock for this award.
Jake: This is pretty much a one-man race, barring injury or the greatest half-season of football from Joe Burrow that we’ve ever seen. The Cowboys run through Prescott. Everyone on offense suffers when he is not around. Cowboys will win their division and are primed for a good playoff run.
Offensive Rookie of the Year | NFL Awards
Mac Jones
McAdoo: Two weeks ago, I would have said this is Ja’Marr Chase’s award, but Mac Jones and the Patriots have turned it around. Jones did not come out of the gates that hot, but since week 7, he has six touchdowns and only one interception. Jones has the Pats on the edge of the AFC East title and, if he keeps up this pace, he will take home one piece of hardware.
Brunner: Mac Jones is clearly the most NFL-ready rookie quarterback, and he happens to be perfect for the Patriots system. He has the edge over Ja’Marr Chase for this award, to me, due to his consistency and lack of big mistakes (seven drops for Chase).
Luke: Jones has led the Pats to four straight wins and a shot at the top seed in the AFC. With 2,300 yards and 13 touchdowns, there is a reason Shanahan wanted him at the third pick.
Henry: If the annual league MVP is pre-determined to always go to a quarterback these days, shouldn’t the same be true for Offensive Rookie of the Year? Mac Jones has been everything the Patriots could have hoped for and more through his first 10 NFL games. The stats may not be gaudy, but they are plenty serviceable. The fact that Jones has New England looking like a legit contender in the AFC as a rookie playing the most difficult position in sports cannot be ignored.
Ja’Marr Chase
Trevor: Mac Jones has been solid for the Patriots, but this is still Chase’s award. He has already amassed over 800 receiving yards with seven touchdowns through nine games. No other rookie is really even close, if we’re being honest.
Hunter: Ja’Marr Chase is the easiest and most obvious choice out of all of the awards. He’s assembled arguably the best rookie wide receiver season ever, catching 44 receptions for over 800 yards and seven touchdowns all while the wide receiving corps around him is full of talent and could very easily steal his targets and production any given week. The Burrow-Chase chemistry is real, and Chase is going to be a problem in the league for years to come.
Jake: Another easy choice here is Ja’Marr Chase. Even after slowing down these last few weeks, Chase still has every opportunity to break Randy Moss’ rookie records. He brings the best out of Joe Burrow and has stepped into a very talented WR room and established himself as the clear number one immediately. He was very good in college and hasn’t missed a beat in the NFL.
Defensive Rookie Player of the Year | NFL Awards
Micah Parsons
McAdoo: No rookie defensive player has even come close to being as good as Micah Parsons this year. If he hasn’t been rushing the QB, he has been great in coverage. Parsons is the player to beat for defensive rookies this year.
Brunner: We knew Micah Parsons was good but…damn. Whether he is in space or on the edge rushing the passer, all he does is make plays.
Trevor: Parsons is already a top defensive player in the league and solidifies a strong Cowboys linebacking corps by himself. With six sacks and a weak field behind him this season, this is Parsons’ award to lose.
Luke: Had been leading a mediocre Dallas defense and is a big reason why Diggs has eight interceptions this year.
Hunter: As much as I liked Patrick Surtain II coming out of the draft, it has to be Micah Parsons. He hasn’t been eye-opening good, but he has gotten the job done. Parsons does a little bit of everything, accumulating five sacks and 52 total tackles through eight games, and he has facilitated the strong turnaround their defense has had.
Henry: Dan Quinn has gotten a lot of credit for turning around what last year was a horrendous Cowboys defense. A big component of that resurgence has been Parsons. The 12th overall pick started the campaign off strong and has only gotten better with each passing week. His 44 total tackles are tied for 22nd among all defenders. Parsons is the odds-on betting favorite to win DROY for a reason.
Jake: Micah Parsons has gotten better each and every week and has placed himself in the forefront of Rookie of Year discussions. He will be an anchor of this much-improved Cowboys defense for years to come.
Coach of the Year | NFL Awards
Mike Vrabel
McAdoo: The Tennesee Titans are the top seed in the AFC even after losing the best RB this generation. The Titans have not missed a beat even in his absence. The Titans are still going to be tough to beat even without their biggest weapon. Credit where credit is due, and Vrabel is COTY.
Luke: Tennessee has beat five playoff teams from last year in a row — Bills, Chiefs, Colts, Rams, Saints. They now hold the top seed in a crazy AFC.
Hunter: Another painful choice for me as a Bills fan, because the Titans seem to be our kryptonite the last few years, but Mike Vrabel has been phenomenal. All offseason, the Titans were ridiculed for not addressing their major defensive gaps. They started off pretty rough, but their defense woke up and Vrabel did something in that locker room to promote the change they needed. The Titans sit atop the AFC standings and are riding a six-game winning streak after losing to the Jets in Week 4.
Mike McCarthy
Brunner: I think Mike McCarthy is a buffoon and a terrible coach. However, he clearly has the easiest route to taking home this award, with the Cowboys likely locking up the NFC East a few weeks early.
Bill Belichick
Trevor: Did anyone expect New England to be 6-4 at this point? They just missed out on upsetting the Buccaneers and Cowboys and are 5-2 over the last seven weeks, including a perfect 4-0 on the road. Nobody has done more with less.
Henry: Everyone left Bill Belichick and the Patriots for dead after a 7-9 finish in Year No. 1 without Tom Brady. What they failed to recognize was that New England was without over half of its defensive starters due to opt-outs. Not only are the Pats in the mix to win the AFC East Division, but they just might be the most complete team in the conference, period. Oh, and he is doing this with a rookie quarterback. Belichick may not win the award because the media that votes on these things don’t know football whatsoever, but he is hands-down the best coach in the NFL today.
Jake: The one, the only. The greatest coach of all time. Bill Belichick. While most franchises would crumble and fall and wander through QB wasteland for 40 years before finding their next savior, the Patriots coach/gm took just ONE year to press the reset button. He found his guy in Mac Jones. Belichick has been patient with him, coached to his strengths, rallied the rest of his team and, once again, they are playoff-bound. Bill has his eyes set on many more Lombardi Trophies before it’s all said and done. Give him this trophy too.
