NFL Awards Watch: Patrick Mahomes Leads Four-Quarterback Race For MVP

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Welcome to NFL Awards Watch, my weekly column that will take a look at the five major awards handed out in the NFL: MVP; Offensive and Defensive Player Of The Year; and Offensive and Defensive Rookie Of The Year.

JONATHAN HUTTON NFL AWARDS WATCH ARCHIVE

There’s another contender for MVP as the backstretch of the season begins. Plus Offensive Player of the Year is also becoming quite the interesting battle. Let’s get to it:

NFL Awards Watch: Week 11

NFL MVP QBS

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, Bills QB Josh Allen, Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa and Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. (Getty Images)

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

QB PATRICK MAHOMES, Kansas City Chiefs 

"Magic Mahomes does it again, baby."
—Travis Kelce

Mahomes continues to shine in MVP moments. Down four against the Chargers on Sunday night, Mahomes drove the Chiefs offense to score another game-winning touchdown. Six plays, 75 yards in 1:15 appeared effortless, but we all know it’s far from routine. Mahomes remains unbeaten when facing an AFC West opponent on the road, now 14-0 in such matchups. 

Three More To Consider:

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

WR TYREEK HILL, Miami Dolphins

Hill leads the NFL in receptions (81), targets (106) and receiving yards (1,148) and possesses the ability to score from anywhere on the field. He also leads the NFL in plays for 20 yards or more (20). Hill's play has been so dominant we’ve witnessed Tagovailoa turn a corner in his prove-it season even before Thanksgiving rolled around.

Two More To Consider:

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

WR CHRIS OLAVE, New Orleans Saints.

Olave once again delivered for the New Orleans offense, hauling in five catches for 102 yards, including a 53-yard bomb from Andy Dalton to extend the Saints’ lead over the Rams. All Dalton had to do was put the throw on the money after Olave split Jalen Ramsey and Taylor Rapp down the middle of the field. He continues to lead all rookies in receptions and receiving yards. 

Two More To Consider:

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

OLB MICAH PARSONS, Dallas Cowboys

Parsons was as dominant in Minnesota as he has been all season. He accounted for two of the three first-half sacks of Kirk Cousins, including a strip sack for another forced turnover. He now has 10 sacks on the season after posting 13 last season as a rookie.

Two More To Consider:

DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

CB SAUCE GARDNER, New York Jets

Gardner punched out a pass intended for wide receiver Tyquan Thornton. His dominant rookie season continues.

Two More To Consider:

Jonathan Hutton is the host of OutKick 360 and will write weekly about NFL awards. Follow Hutton on Twitter.

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Jonathan Hutton is the host of OutKick 360 which breaks down all the latest sports headlines every day from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET. Hutton joined OutKick in January of 2021 after nine years as co-host of Midday 180 on 104.5 The Zone, the second highest rated local sports show in the United States. He is well recognized in the Tennessee sports community and spent 16 years on the Tennessee Titans Radio Network, serving as the Gameday Host, sideline reporter, among other roles. Hutton also does television play-by-play for the TSSAA state football and basketball championships on the NFHS Network as well as a freelance sports anchor for WTVF-TV NewsChannel in Nashville. Hutton is a Tennessee native.