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NFL Notebook, Week 16: Award predictions, Odell Beckham Jr. and more

By Zach Cohen

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 22: Running back Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates his touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the third quarter in the game at Nissan Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 22: Running back Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates his touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the third quarter in the game at Nissan Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 22: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 22: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Awards Predictions, Part 1

MVP: Lamar Jackson

Do I even need to explain this? In the highly improbable chance that you didn’t know, Jackson broke the single-season record for rushing yards. He led the Ravens to the first seed in the playoffs, too. I can’t see anyone else even getting votes for this award. Russell Wilson’s case for runner-up has cooled as of late, and are there any Josh Allen truthers willing to make a case for him?

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Offensive Player of the Year: Christian McCaffrey

No offensive player does more than McCaffrey does for his offense. Not only does he lead Carolina in receptions and rushing yards, but McCaffrey also leads all players in total yards from scrimmage. It’s not close, either. McCaffrey has 564 more total yards than the man in second, Nick Chubb.

Defensive Player of the Year: Stephon Gilmore

Finally, a challenge! TJ Watt, Cameron Jordan and Nick Bosa all drew consideration, with Watt making the strongest case. Unfortunately for them, Gilmore is playing out of his mind in 2019.

He’s tied with Tre’Davious White for most interceptions (six), he’s first in passes deflected (19) and he’s tied for second in pick-sixes (two). The crazy part is those stats don’t even do justice to Gilmore’s dominance. He’s easily been the best cornerback in football for one of the decade’s best defenses.

Of course, the only true cornerbacks to win this award since 1994 were Deion Sanders and Charles Woodson. In fact, the last defensive back to win was the great Troy Polamalu in 2010. Forget history, Gilmore’s been too good to ignore.

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