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NFL Quarterly Awards 2020: MVP, Rookies of the Year after four weeks

By Cody Williams

Oct 4, 2020; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) attempts a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2020; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) attempts a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL Awards
Cam Newton, New England Patriots (Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports) /

NFL Comeback Player of the Year: Cam Newton, QB, New England Patriots

With Cam Newton contracting COVID-19 and missing the Patriots’ Week 4 matchup against Kansas City, the Comeback Player of the Year race got a bit more interesting. At the same time, though, he looks like a potential runaway for the award if he can get back on the field sooner rather than later.

Filling the shoes of Tom Brady in New England, Newton has kept the Pats heavily in the mix with a strong showing through three games. Completing 68.1 percent of his passes, he’s thrown for 714 yards with two scores and two picks but has also already rushed for 149 yards and four touchdowns as well. With his clear role as a dual-threat player in this offense, a healthy Newton is the clear favorite here.

NFL Offensive Player of the Year: Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen had numerous doubters entering the league out of Wyoming and even through his first two years in the league. It all came down to if the Bills quarterback could take the next step as a passer. Leading Buffalo to a 4-0 start, Allen has made a ton of people eat their words with a truly phenomenal start to his third season in the league.

Allen ranks second in passing yards (1,326) and third in passing touchdowns (12) but also has three rushing scores as well. More important than that perhaps, he’s thrown just one pick and has a completion rate over 70 percent. He’s a clear-cut MVP candidate but — spoiler — since he’s not the winner of that award at the quarter-mark, he takes home Offensive Player of the Year.

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns

Quietly, this is a tight race for Defensive Player of the Year. T.J. Watt has been phenomenal but has only played three games, which hurts him with such a small sample size. Za’Darius Smith is tied for the league lead in sacks but hasn’t been wholly consistent. Aaron Donald is also still a dominant force. But to this point, Myles Garrett of the Browns gets the edge for the award.

Garrett is tied with Smith for the NFL lead in sacks (5.0), is tied for eighth in tackles for loss (5), has forced three fumbles and recovered two, and has graded as the best pass-rushing edge defender according to PFF (subscription required). He legitimately could’ve made a run at this award last year if not for his suspension but, with the way he’s been consistently harassing quarterbacks thus far, he’ll have another strong case this year if he can stay on the field.

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