NFL Awards Watch: Patrick Mahomes Takes MVP Lead, But Justin Jefferson Is Making Late Run Too
Welcome to NFL Awards Watch, my weekly column that takes 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
Patrick Mahomes takes over MVP race with two games to play, but Justin Jefferson is making his case to become the first wide receiver to win Most Valuable Player. Let’s get to it:
NFL Awards Watch: Week 16
Justin Jefferson and Patrick Mahomes. (Getty Images)
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
QB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Even when nothing is available and the defense has the perfect call for what the Chiefs are trying to execute, Mahomes can make magic happen. His third-and-goal touchdown in Saturday’s 24-10 victory over the Seahawks showed off his athleticism as he braced himself with his left hand just long enough to let the football graze the pylon for a big score.
Two More To Consider:
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
WR JUSTIN JEFFERSON, Minnesota Vikings
There’s a new leader for the most receiving yards by any Viking in a single season. Jefferson passed Randy Moss, who set the previous mark in 2003 with his receiving 1,632 yards. Jefferson now has 1,756 this season, and he’s been unstoppable over the past three games. He’s destroyed opposing defenses with 35 catches and 479 yards for an average of 160 yards per game. He will need to average 122 yards receiving in each of the next two games to become the first 2,000-yard receiver in NFL history. Jefferson needs just 209 yards to pass Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson’s 2012 single-season record of 1,964 receiving yards. He now faces two defenses he’s already torched: Green Bay and Chicago.
The league’s first 2,000-yard receiver? We also may be looking at our first wide receiver to win MVP.
Two More To Consider:
OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
WR GARRETT WILSON, New York Jets.
Wilson is four yards short of 1,000 yards in his debut season in the NFL, adding four touchdowns and averaging 14 yards on his 71 receptions. He’s done this while playing with Zach Wilson, Mike White, Joe Flacco and Chris Streveler.
Two More To Consider:
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
DE NICK BOSA, San Francisco 49ers
Bosa’s been the most dominant player on any defense on a weekly basis throughout the 2022 season, and he showed why as the second half played out against the Commanders . Bosa added two more sacks to his season total and made a crucial fourth down stop that led to the Niners putting the game away with another touchdown drive. One of his sacks stripped the ball loose from Taylor Heinicke, a quick change of possession that also led to points from the San Francisco offense. Bosa now has 17.5 sacks this season, three shy of breaking the 49ers franchise record of 19.5 sacks held by Aldon Smith.
Two More To Consider:
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
CB SAUCE GARDNER, New York Jets
Tariq Woolen is tied for the league lead with six interceptions, but it’s hard for Gardner to match that number when opposing QBs don’t throw his direction. At all. That’s because he’s one of the best cornerbacks in the league, not just among the rookie corners from this year. The Lions didn’t throw a pass in his direction in Week 15. He has a legitimate shot at being the first cornerback selected to be First-team All-Pro since Ronnie Lott in 1981.
Two More To Consider:
Jonathan Hutton is the host of OutKick 360 and writes weekly about NFL awards. Follow Hutton on Twitter.