The NFL regular season is over for 2015 and the awards for Most Valuable Player, Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year, Comeback Player and Coach of the Year will be handed out during the postseason.
The awards will be given out in February during the NFL Honors show and this year there could be some close races. Cam Newton is coming into things as the overall favorite for the most valuable player award after the Panthers clinched the top seed in the NFC, while Todd Gurley could be the favorite for offensive rookie.
Here is a look at some of the awards for this season with winner predictions:
Most Valuable Player
Cam Newton has been leading the race all season and with the Panthers locking up the number one seed in the NFC and going undefeated through 14 games, he will be hard to beat. Newton should win out over Tom Brady, Carson Palmer and Russell Wilson, all of whom have strong cases for the award as well.
Winner: Cam Newton
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Jameis Winston, David Johnson and Amari Cooper have all had strong seasons, but Todd Gurley looks to be the favorite for the award. Gurley went over 1000 yards after coming back from knee surgery and he did it with the Rams passing offense being one of the worst in the league, meaning defenses could stack the box against him. Gurley was impressive and deserves the award, although Winston, Johnson and Cooper should be in the mix as well.
Winner: Todd Gurley
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Marcus Peters has this award in the bag already. The Chiefs defensive back put up eight interceptions this season, the most by a rookie since 2009. Peters has also helped the Chiefs defense be one of the best in the league this season.
Winner: Marcus Peters
Comeback Player of the Year
This award is a tough one, as Carson Palmer has put up MVP numbers after coming back from serious knee surgery, but it's hard to give this award to anyone but Eric Berry. Berry has come back after beating cancer and has helped the Chiefs have one of the best defensive units in football.
Winner: Carson Palmer or Eric Berry
Offensive Player of the Year
There are a number of players with strong offensive numbers this season, but Russell Wilson and Antonio Brown have been extremely impressive. Wilson set career highs this season with 4024 yards and 34 touchdowns and he did it mostly without Marshawn Lynch in the lineup. Brown put up one of the best seasons in NFL history, putting up 136 catches for 1834 yards and 10 touchdowns and he did it with Ben Roethlisberger banged up for part of the season.
Winner: Russell Wilson or Antonio Brown
Defensive Player of the Year
Both JJ Watt and Josh Norman have strong cases to win the award and this is basically a pick 'em category. Norman helped the Panthers have one of the best defenses in the league and often had to lineup with the top receiver for the opposing team. Watt put up strong numbers again despite every offensive line the Texans played against game planning to stop him.
Winner: JJ Watt or Josh Norman
Coach of the Year
The Panthers were considered to be a solid team in the NFC South, but no one expected them to go 14-0 before finishing the season 15-1. Rivera has done a great job managing his team and now has the Panthers in position to make a Super Bowl run.
Winner: Ron Rivera
