The AP Awards finalists, NFL MVP, OPOY, DPOY: Allen, Hurts, Mahomes, Jefferson, Burrow
Heading into the Championship Round, we have three of the five MVP finalists in action and this weekends’ games could determine who wins the award.
The Associated Press has released their finalists for the NFL MVP, and a handful of other awards including the Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Coach of the Year.
Championship Round stacked with MVP candidates
Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes were the preseason favorites to win the MVP in the eyes of the oddsmakers, and both have made the shortlist to raise the award but only one of them is still in the playoffs. Mahomes and the Chiefs are moving on, but Josh Allen was knocked out of the playoffs last weekend by another MVP finalist, Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Jalen Hurts will be taking on the San Francisco 49ers looking to strengthen his case for the MVP. As a starter he lost just one game, and with one more win he can bring Philadelphia back to the Super Bowl. The last finalist, who is the biggest long shot and the only non QB, is Vikings WR Justin Jefferson.
Jefferson, Hurts and Mahomes were also named as the nominees for the Offensive Player of the Year. This weekend will not just feature some of the best offensive players in the league. San Francisco’s Nick Bosa, and Kansas City’s Chris Jones join Dallas Defensive end Micah Parsons for the defensive player of the year.
Winners will be announced on Feb. 9th
The Niners head coach, Kyle Shanahan is joined by a couple of coaches who are in first year with their respective teams. Jacksonville’s Doug Pederson was picked up by the Jags in the offseason and led the Jags to the playoffs after having the worst record in the league last year. The New York Giants’ rookie head coach Brian Daboll turned things around in the Big Apple and carried his team to the post season for the first time in a long time.
The Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year awards has been narrowed down to three, just as the Comeback Player of the Year and Assistant Coach of the Year awards.
Here is the entire list of candidates for the eight awards up for grabs. The winners will be announced at the NFL Awards Ceremony on February 9th at 9:00 p.m. ET on NBC.
NFL MVP
Josh Allen, Bills
Joe Burrow, Bengals
Jalen Hurts, Eagles
Justin Jefferson, Vikings
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
Offensive Player of the Year
Jalen Hurts, Eagles
Justin Jefferson, Vikings
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
Defensive Player of the Year
Nick Bosa, 49ers
Chris Jones, Chiefs
Micah Parsons, Cowboys
Comeback Player of the Year
Saquon Barkley, Giants
Christian McCaffrey, 49ers
Geno Smith, Seahawks
Coach of the Year
Brian Daboll, Giants
Doug Pederson, Jaguars
Kyle Shanahan, 49ers
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Brock Purdy, 49ers
Kenneth Walker, Seahawks
Garrett Wilson, Jets
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Jets
Aidan Hutchinson, Lions
Tariq Woolen, Seahawks
Assistant Coach of the Year
Ben Johnson, Lions OC
DeMeco Ryans, 49ers DC
Shane Steichen, Eagles OC