We are now halfway through the 2023-24 NFL season. It’s been an exciting season so far.

Everyone thought they knew what was going to happen. People were writing that the Kansas City Chiefs would be going to the Super Bowl in pen. Guess what? It might not happen. They just lost to the Broncos and have looked vulnerable all season.

Everyone assumed that San Francisco 49ers were bookmarked to make the NFC Championship Game. Guess what? They’ve lost 3 STRAIGHT GAMES!

QB Aaron Rodgers was done for the season, after only 3 snaps in the very first game of the season.

RB Nick Chubb shredded his knee in only the 2nd game of the season. Now QB Kirk Cousins has torn his Achillies tendon, and he is done for the season. Superstar after superstar have dropped like flies.

#1 draft pick, QB Bryce Young has struggled mightily, with pick #177 Puka Nacua hasn’t had a great season.

You can never truly tell, what is going to happen on the field, until it happens on the field.

All of that said, I’m going to give you the REAL, NFL mid-season awards.

NFL Most Valuable Player Award.

Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs.

I know, I know. I can already hear you. Just let me tell you exactly why he is the Most Valuable Player.

When Travis Kelce has been out or not 100%, QB Patrick Mahomes struggles mightily to win games, and actually losses games. See the Detroit game and last week’s game against Denver.

Kelce can not only put-up numbers, but he does the little things that coaches love. He’s a good run and pass blocking tight end as well. He can line up, literally anywhere on the football field. In-line, off-line, in the slot, out wide, etc, etc. He brings energy to the field, on the bench, and in the locker room.

You may not like him. You think that he brings too much unwanted attention to himself and the locker room, but Mr. Pfizer has proven, that he IS the “most valuable player” so far this season.

So far this season, Kelce has 54 catches, for 583 yards, and 4 TDs.

Offensive Player of the Year.

Christian McCaffery, RB, San Francisco 49ers.

He is basically unstoppable.

No matter what you do.

No matter who you put on him.

No matter if you plan man to man or zone.

He is going to put up numbers.

He’s an every down running back. He can stay on and pass block. He can also even run block for Mitchell and Juszczyk.

Put him in the backfield, in the slot, out wide, no matter where you put him, the defense has to account for him.

49ers are a .500 team at best without him on the team.

So far this season, McCaffery has 137 carries, for 652 yards, and 9 TDs. He’s added 32 catches, for 292 yards, and 4 TDs.

Defensive Player of the Year.

Myles Garrett, Defensive End, Cleveland Browns.

There is no more important defensive player for a team, than Myles Garrett is for the Browns.

He does literally does everything.

Rush the passer.

Stop the run.

Drop back in coverage.

He even plays on special teams.

He can play with his hand in the dirt or standing up. You can play him not just at end, but also at tackle and even at outside linebacker.

He’s an athletic freak at 6’4″ and 272 lbs. In the game against the Indianapolis Colts, he leaped over an offensive guard, without touching him, jumped up and blocked a field goal.

You can not stop him; you can only try to limit the damage he does to your offense.

So far this season, he has 24 tackles, 8.5 sacks, he has 4 forced fumbles, 1 pass defended and blocked a field goal attempt.

Offensive Rookie of the Year.

C.J. Stroud, Quarterback, Houston Texans.

The rookie from Ohio State has come in and completely settled this offense down.

He’s taken command of not only the offense, but of the team as well.

Stroud became the first quarterback in NFL history to have 900 passing yards and 4 touchdowns, without throwing an interception, in his first three career starts.

So far this season, he has completed 143 out of 237 passes, for 1,800 yards, with 9 TDs to only 1 INT. He also has run for a touchdown.

Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Devon Witherspoon, Cornerback, Seattle Seahawks.

When the Seahawks took him with the 5th overall pick in the draft, they were hoping that they’d find their next Richard Sherman. A shutdown CB, that nobody throws toward and takes away and entire part of the field.

That is exactly what they’ve gotten. The 6’0″ 185 lbs, rookie out of Illinois, has been dominating the field.

So far this season, he has 33 tackles, 2 sacks, 8 passes defended, with 1 INT, which he returned for a touchdown.

Coach of the Year.

Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions.

He has come in and completely changed the culture in the locker room. He has turned the Lions from skinny, little cats with no bite, to big, ferocious, jungle cats, that’ll bite off your kneecaps.

They not only know that they can beat you up, but they expect to win football games, and now to make the playoffs.

Campbell has not only the fans believing, but he has all the players in the entire league, believing that the Lions can make a Super Bowl run.

There you go folks. Those are the REAL mid-season awards.

– by Sean McKenzie

Photos courtesy of…..wallpapersafari, blogspot, sports illustrated, cleveland.com, texaswire.usatoday.

Stats courtesy of ESPN