NFL: Mid Season MVP, All Offensive Team, Coach of The Year So Far

Mid-Season Surprise

The 4-3 Miami Dolphins are starting to gain a lot of attention. A few weeks ago, there was controversy when they announced their intentions to bench Ryan Fitzpatrick and start Tua Tagovailoa. Fitzpatrick played well, so a lot of people were perplexed over this decision. On Sunday, Tua made his debut, and though he did not play great (93 yds, 1 TD 54% completion rate, 80.3 Rating), he did show promise. He provided evidence of his tight-window accuracy on his lone TD pass to Devante Parker.

But it is not the Dolphins offense that is leading the way; it is their defense. The Dolphins and the Bears have allowed the fewest TD passes in the NFL (8) while tied for 6th with several teams in rushing TD's surrendered with 9. They rank 2nd behind the Baltimore Ravens in scoring rate allowing teams to only score on 27% of their possessions.

Mid-Season NFL Offensive MVP

Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson has been fantastic through the first eight weeks of the NFL season, posting a 100 or better QB rating in all but one game (wk7 vs. Cardinals 84.4) while leading all NFL QB's in passer rate (120.8).

Wilson has thrown for 300+ yds in 4 games this season while amassing 2151 yds, 21 TD's to 6 INT's and completing 71% of his throws. PFF has him listed as their highest-graded QB on the season.

Wilson and the Seahawks are in the driver's seat to win the NFC West in 2020.

Mid-Season NFL Defensive MVP

Pittsburgh Steelers Edge T.J. Watt

The Steelers are undefeated, and have the NFL's 6th ranked defense in total yds per play allowed, and lead the NFL with 30 total sacks.T.J. Watt has a lot to do with the Steeler's early-season success. He has accumulated 5.5 sacks so far in 2020 and ranks first among all NFL defenses in total disruptions (the combined total of hurries, pressures, and sacks, with only one counting per play) with 42.5 through the first half of 2020. PFF has Watt graded as the top edge defender in the NFL.

Mid-Season NFL Rookie of The Year

Justin Herbert

Arguably the biggest surprise of the 2020 NFL season is Justin Herbert. Per NFL Stats and Research, Herbert is the first rookie since 1950 to notch at least 1,800 passing yards and 15 passing TD in their first six career starts. Even more impressively, Herbert and Russell Wilson are the only QBs averaging 300-plus passing yards per game while also recording a passer rating over 100 this season. A rookie has never recorded those metrics for a full season in the history of the NFL.

Mid-Season NFL Coach of The Year

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin

Following Sunday's win over the Baltimore Ravens, the Steelers took control of the AFC North for starters. As we discussed earlier, the Steelers defense has been phenomenal, but the offense has also been consistent. The Steelers offense ranks 5th in total yards with Big Ben under center, improving from 31st in total yds in 2019. The Steelers are now 7-0 and the only remaining unbeaten team in the NFL.

The Steelers win is Mike Tomlins 140th win as a head coach in the NFL, passing Tony Dungy making Tomlin the winningest Black head coach in NFL history.

Who is your NFC Champ?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Outside of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a close second in terms of being the most complete team in the NFL. With Tom Brady at QB, the Bucs have compiled a 6-2 record and will have a chance this weekend to take over first place in the NFC South against the 5-2 Saints. The Saints dominated the Buccaneers to open the 2020 NFL season, but the Bucs have been rolling since then.

Who is Your AFC Champ?

Pittsburgh Steelers

See the many reasons why above, Mike Tomlin, J.J. Watt, and Big Ben.

Who is your Super Bowl Champ?