Inferno’s Picks: NFL 2020 Player Awards

The tumultuous 2020 NFL regular season has finally ended. Therefore, it is time for us to pick players worthy of recognition for their outstanding performance on the gridiron throughout the regular season. Here are the players that we believe should be recognized:

NFL MVP: Aaron Rodgers- Green Bay Packers

Rodgers accumulated absurd, video-game-like stats this season while under center for the Packers. In sixteen games, Rodgers threw for 4,299 yards, 48 touchdowns and a mere 5 interceptions. Thus, becoming the first player in NFL history to have 40+ pass touchdowns with as little as 5 interceptions, per CBS Sports. Not to mention, he led Green Bay to a 13-3 record en route to earning the number 1 seed and home field advantage throughout the NFC Playoffs.

Biggest Threat: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

Given the Chiefs also earned the number one seed in the AFC respectively, Mahomes may be Rodgers’ biggest threat. However, Mahomes threw for less touchdowns (38), threw one more interception (6) and had a lower completion rate (66.3%) than Rodgers (71%).

Offensive Player of the Year (non-quarterback) : Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers

Adams was Rodgers’ favorite target this year and it doesn’t take a rocket-scientist to know why. According to NFL.com, the sixth-year veteran wide receiver possesses exceptional route running, body control and ability to separate. In 14 games, Adams hauled in 115 passes, accumulated 1374 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns. Altogether, the Packer receiver averaged 11.9 yards per reception and 98.1 yards per game. Given the Packers earned the number one seed in the NFC, Adams’ odds of winning the award are highly probable.

Biggest Threat: Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans

This year was a record year for ‘The King’ as he rushed for a career-high 2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns, per Yahoo Sports. However, his average rushing yards per game diminished from 148.7 to 126.7 and he did fumble twice. Regardless, Henry’s legs propelled the Titans to many victories this year.

Defensive Player of the Year: TJ Watt, Edge Rusher, Pittsburgh Steelers

Watt may have some serious bragging rights over his older brother J.J after this season. The Wisconsin-Madison product demonstrated that he is just as dominant, if not more dominant, than his older brother when it comes to pass-rushing. Despite not playing in the Steelers’ final regular season game, the youngest of the three Watt brothers finished the season leading the NFL in sacks (15), tackles for loss (23) and quarterback knockdowns (41), per ESPN.

Biggest Threat: Xavien Howard, CB, Miami Dolphins

It’s not often you see a cornerback get nominated for Defensive Player of the Year, but after a further review of Howard’s 2020 stats, it would be disrespectful not to nominate Howard. According to ESPN, Howard intercepted 10 passes— good for 2.5% of league’s interceptions. Also, passes thrown in Howard’s direction cost opposing teams 30.1 expected points.

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

To say that Herbert surpassed expectations for a rookie quarterback with his performance would be an understatement. In 15 games, the former Oregon Duck threw for 4,336 yards, 31 touchdowns and ten interceptions. Herbert also completed the most passes by an NFL rookie quarterback (380) and threw the most multi-touchdown games for a rookie (10). Not to mention, the Chargers’ quarterback accumulated a higher completion rate (66.6%) and quarterback rating (98.3) than divisional counterpart and reigning Super Bowl Champ Mahomes. Unfortunately, the Chargers failed to reach the playoffs, which may hurt Herbert’s chances of winning the award.

Biggest Threat: Minnesota Vikings, WR, Justin Jefferson

In 16 games, the LSU product hauled in 88 receptions for a total of 1400 yards. Altogether, Jefferson was a lethal weapon for Minnesota as he combined his tremendous route-running skills with his strong hands to secure a 70.4% catch rate.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Chase Young, DE, Washington Football Team

Young was a living nightmare for opposing offensive linemen. Using his extreme athletic abilities, Young wreaked havoc on opponents’ backfields. Thus, disrupting many plays by forcing opposing quarterbacks to scramble for their lives. Altogether, the former Buckeye racked up 7.5 sacks, 44 tackles (32 solo) and forced 4 fumbles.

Biggest Threat: Carolina Panthers, Safety, Jeremy Chinn

While Chinn accumulated more tackles (116), he forced less fumbles (2), had less tackles for loss (11) and only had a mere interception. Granted Chinn is a safety, but it is our belief that Young was more impactful on the gridiron.

Comeback Player of the Year: Alex Smith, QB, Washington Football Team

Seventeen surgeries. His leg was nearly amputated. Doctors told him he would never play another down in the NFL ever again. Smith wasn’t necessarily fighting for his career; he was fighting for his life. However, he conquered those obstacles and not only did he return to the NFL, he led the Washington Football team to an NFC East divisional title and the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2015.