2013 First Quarter NFL Awards

With the NFL season already a quarter of the way complete, there has been many surprises and shockers. The NFL has definitely been unpredictable this season. With upsets now being a weekly constant, no one is guaranteed a win. Let’s take a moment and embrace the greatness of this season. Below I am going to give out my first quarter awards. Don’t forget to leave your opinions and comments down below!

MVP: Tom Brady – New England Patriots

Through the first few weeks of the season Peyton Manning has made himself the consensus pick for Most Valuable Player. He is on pace to shatter multiple records and he currently has his Broncos at 4-0. Despite his hot start, I am going to give the MVP Award to Tom Brady. If you look at who New England lost on the offensive side of the ball, you would think that they would have one of the worst offenses in the league. The team lost multiple Pro-Bowl players at the skill position and yet Tom Brady has this offense and this team in first place in the AFC East. With what he has to work with, Brady has been money for New England. As the season continues, Brady will definitely build trust with his young group of receivers. He will also have Gronk and Amendola back sooner rather than later.

Offensive Player of the Year: Peyton Manning – Denver Broncos

Even though I am not giving Manning the MVP Award, I will gladly call him the Offensive Player of the Year. Through four games, Manning has himself at pace for 5,880 yards passing and 64 touchdowns (both would be NFL records). The “Sheriff” has the Broncos at 4-0 and they are the most explosive offense in the league. This one is an easy one.

Defensive Player of the Year: Justin Houston – Kansas City Chiefs

This award is a tough one to give out. J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans is having yet another monster year and is very deserving of this award. But linebacker Justin Houston of the Kansas City Chiefs has been one of the most improved and impressive defensive players. In the 16 games Houston played last season he recorded 10 sacks. So far this season Houston has already record 7.5 sacks. He is one of the key reasons the Chiefs defense has been much improved and he is one of the key leaders on the undefeated Chiefs.

Comeback Player of the Year: Philip Rivers – San Diego Chargers

Wow, what a difference a year and a new coaching staff can make. Through the first four games of the season, Chargers quarterback, Philip Rivers, seems to be fixed. Throughout his time in the NFL, Rivers has always been one of the better quarterbacks in the league. However, last year Rivers failed to have a productive year, constantly turning the ball over and fumbling. This season, Rivers has turned the ball over only two times and is playing the best football of his career.

Coach of the Year: Andy Reid – Kansas City Chiefs

This award is another tough one to give out. Both Andy Reid and Sean Payton have coached their teams to hot starts. With both the Chiefs and the Saints undefeated, Reid and Payton are both deserving of this award. However, I am going to give the nod to coach Reid. No one expected the Chiefs to start out 4-0. He has completely transformed this team mentally and has been the leader that this organization has desperately desired over the past few seasons.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: DeAndre Hopkins – Houston Texans

DeAndre Hopkins has been an absolute stud for the Texans this season. With star players such as Andre Johnson and Arian Foster already on the offense, Hopkins can easily be overlooked. Through his first four games in the NFL, Hopkins has caught 20 balls for just under 300 yards and a touchdown. Hopkins can easily be that second receiver the Texans have been looking for.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Kiko Alonso – Buffalo Bills 

This one is easy. Kiko Alonso has been a beast on this Bills defense this year. Excluding last nights game, Alonso recorded 32 tackles, one sack and four interceptions in his first four games. Alonso is a player that Buffalo really likes. If he can continue playing like this it won’t be long before the Bills have a Pro-Bowl linebacker on their defense.

Biggest Surprise: Cleveland Browns

After losing their first two games and trading star running back Trent Richardson, just about everyone believed the Browns were packing it up and looking towards next year. Well, everyone was wrong. The Browns have been victorious in their past three games and are in first place in a division that won the Super Bowl last season.

Biggest Bust: Mike Wallace – Miami Dolphins

This past offseason the Miami Dolphins gave receiver Mike Wallace the big contract he was seeking. Wallace agreed on terms of a five year, 60 million dollar contract with 30 million of it guaranteed. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, Wallace has not been what he was advertised to be. Even though he is drawing more attention from the opposing secondary, leaving more room for Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson, the Dolphins did not give him 60 million for that. In his four games in a Phins uniform, Wallace has only been a true factor in one game. He needs to pick it up for Miami sooner rather than later.

Thanks for Reading!