As the regular season comes to a close, it’s time to hand out some awards. Here’s who I think should take home some of the NFL’s biggest honors this season.
Most valuable player: Cam Newton, Panthers
Newton finished just shy of 4,500 total yards, 45 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He tops the NFL in rushing yards among quarterbacks and touchdowns, not to mention leading the Panthers to 15-1 with Ted Ginn and Philly Brown as his lead wide receivers. Slam dunk MVP.
Also in contention: Tom Brady, Patriots; Carson Palmer, Cardinals
Offensive player of the year: Antonio Brown, wide receiver, Steelers
Brown had 136 catches for 1,834 yards, just 130 yards shy of Calvin Johnson’s single-season receiving record. What he did to the Broncos’ No. 1 ranked pass defense — 16 catches, 189 yards, two TDs — allowed him to separate from Julio Jones. That wasn’t even Brown’s best game of the year.
Also in contention: Julio Jones, Falcons; Adrian Peterson, Vikings
Defensive player of the year: J.J. Watt, Texans
Watt is a one-man wrecking crew. He leads the NFL in sacks (17.5) for the second time in his first five seasons. He also leads all defensive linemen in pass deflections. Watt is a big reason the Texans won the AFC South without a solid offense.
Also in contention: Josh Norman, Panthers; Charles Woodson, Raiders
Offensive rookie of the year: Todd Gurley, running back, Rams
Gurley slowed down late in the year after four straight 125-yard rushing games. He still finished third in the NFL in rushing despite missing three games this season. Gurley is the next great back.
Also in contention: Amari Cooper, Raiders; Jameis Winston, Buccaneers
Defensive rookie of the year: Marcus Peters, Chiefs
Even in an off year, picking off Peyton Manning in each of their two matchups is impressive. Peters had eight interceptions, tied for most in the NFL. He returned two of them for touchdowns and also led the league with 26 pass deflections.
Also in contention: Ronald Darby, Bills; Eric Kendricks, Vikings
Comeback player of the year: Eric Berry, Chiefs
Berry returning to the field from cancer alone is worth consideration, but he has come back and played at Pro Bowl level. An inspiration for us all.
Also in contention: Thomas Davis, Panthers; Doug Martin, Buccaneers
Coach of the year: Andy Reid, Chiefs
Big-time Chiefs run at the end of the awards. Everyone is deserved, though. Kansas City was written off after starting 1-5 and losing star running back Jamaal Charles to an ACL injury. Reid turned them around to win 10 straight and nearly took the AFC West. Great job by Big Red.
Also in contention: Ron Rivera, Panthers; Gary Kubiak, Broncos
CHEW ON THIS
• Troy Renck voted Larry Walker into the Hall of Fame. .
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• The Avalanche’s 2015 first-round pick, Mikko Rantanen, led .
• ? Troy Renck answers this and more in this week’s Broncos Mailbag.
• Congrats to Regis Jesuit head boys basketball coach Ken Shaw, . Only Dick Katte (876) and Rudy Carey (752) are ahead of him.
• Rams owner .
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston turns 22. Now don’t ya feel old?
Cameron Wolfe: cwolfe@denverpost.com or @CameronWolfe
Online sports producer Joe Nguyen contributed to this story.
