NFL Awards Watch: Stefon Diggs, Micah Parsons Make Statements As Best Offensive, Defensive Players In League

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

Week 2 was packed with standout performances and while I won’t always start with MVP, the upcoming Week 3 schedule features my two frontrunners head to head. Let’s dive in:

NFL AWARDS WATCH WEEK 2

Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (left) and Bills receiver Stefon Diggs. (Getty Images)

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

QB JOSH ALLEN, Buffalo Bills

I was leaning Tua Tagovailoa this week, and he’s deserving based on the start to his ‘prove it’ season in Miami. But then Allen sat back and watched the Dolphins' comeback victory over the Ravens and said "hold my beer." 

Allen was unstoppable against an inferior Titans defense Monday night. He finished the game 26-of-38 for 317 yards, four touchdown passes and no interceptions. It led to Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel tapping out midway through the third quarter. Tua will have a chance to unseat Allen this week. The Bills visit Miami for a showdown on Sunday afternoon. 

Two More To Consider

TYREEK HILL SAYS TUA NEEDS WHEELBARROW FOR ‘BOATLOAD OF MONEY’ HE’S ABOUT TO GET

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Cowboys LB Micah Parsons (11) reacts after sacking Bengals QB Joe Burrow during the game on Sept. 18, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

WLB MICAH PARSONS, Dallas Cowboys

Parsons wrecked Cincinnati’s offense in Week 2 on practically every snap, an all-out effort that produced two sacks and impacted more than what his stat sheet shows. He can rush from multiple areas on the field and must be accounted for each play. First you have to find him. That’s a nightmare for opposing offenses, and it was certainly the case Sunday for the Bengals. The Cowboys linebacker was the best player on the field in a game that included Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. 

Two More To Consider

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Bills WR Stefon Diggs (14) catches a touchdown pass against the Tennessee Titans at Highmark Stadium on Sept. 19, 2022, in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

WR STEFON DIGGS, Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen’s top target through the first two weeks of the season has 20 receptions, 270 yards and 4 touchdowns. Diggs has been the best receiver in football.

He owned the Titans secondary Monday night and just like his quarterback, Diggs' night ended in the third quarter. Jalen Ramsey couldn’t slow him down on Sept. 8, and I'm not sure there’s another defense in the league that can defend Diggs with one player throughout four quarters. The Titans couldn’t stop him with two. 

Two More To Consider

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Jets WR receiver Garrett Wilson (17) runs out of a tackle attempt by Browns CB Greg Newsome II (20) during the game on Sept. 18, 2022, at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

WR GARRETT WILSON, New York Jets

What a return to the state of Ohio for the rookie from Ohio State. Wilson produced more than 25% of New York’s total offense, including the game-winning touchdown on a miraculous comeback victory on the road.

Two of his eight catches were touchdown grabs. He hauled in 102 yards receiving and moved the chains on third down throughout the afternoon. It’s exactly what a team would want to see from their 10th overall selection in April’s draft. Thankfully Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur called plays that let to Wilson’s 15 targets from Joe Flacco. Now I can’t wait to watch Wilson when Zach Wilson returns to the starting lineup. 

Two More To Consider

DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Aidan Hutchinson (97) of the Detroit Lions celebrates his first career sack in the NFL while playing the Washington Commanders at Ford Field on September 18, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

DL AIDAN HUTCHINSON, Detroit Lions

Hutchinson is the best rookie in the NFL right now. The second overall pick sacked Carson Wentz three times Sunday, all of those coming in the first half as Detroit built their lead. He’s perfect in the trenches for Dan Campbell’s defense.

Two More To Consider

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