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NFL midseason awards watch
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

NFL midseason awards watch

Now through more than half of the NFL season, it's good timing to look at the NFL Award candidates. These players and coaches are the favorites for the awards through Week 11.

 
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Comeback Player of the Year: Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys

Comeback Player of the Year: Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys
Jerome Miron / USA Today Sports Images

After playing only two games last season due to a major ankle injury, Prescott is the overwhelming favorite for the award. The Cowboys signal caller is in line for a career year, completing 70% of his passes for 2,341 yards and 20 touchdowns through Week 10.

 
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Comeback Player of the Year: Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals

Comeback Player of the Year: Joe Burrow, QB,  Bengals
Kareem Elgazzar / USA Today Sports Images

Interceptions have been a problem for Burrow, but he's still having a strong sophomore season after suffering a knee injury last year. The former Heisman Trophy winner has thrown for nearly 2,500 yards and 20 touchdowns through Week 10.

 
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Comeback Player of the Year: Carson Wentz, QB, Colts

Comeback Player of the Year: Carson Wentz, QB, Colts
Robert Scheer / USA Today Sports Images

Wentz has made some mistakes in critical moments, but his stats still stand out. After leading the league in interceptions last year, Wentz had 17/3 TD/INT through Week 10.

 
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Comeback Player of the Year: Nick Bosa, DE, 49ers

Comeback Player of the Year: Nick Bosa, DE, 49ers
Darren Yamashita / USA Today Sports Images

Bosa played only two games last year due to a knee injury, but he's picked up where he left when he won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2019. He recorded an impressive eight sacks through nine games.

 
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Comeback Player of the Year: James Conner, RB, Cardinals

Comeback Player of the Year: James Conner, RB, Cardinals
Joe Camporeale / USA Today Sports Images

Conner has been in a rotation with Chase Edmonds for much of the season, but he's performed well in the Cardinals offense. The former Steeler leads the league with 12 touchdowns through 10 weeks.

 
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Coach of the Year: John Harbaugh, Ravens

Coach of the Year: John Harbaugh, Ravens
Brad Mills / USA Today Sports Images

No team faced more major injuries in training camp, and yet the Ravens are in the thick of the playoff race again. Baltimore has continued to win in all ways imaginable, and are set for another playoff push.

 
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Coach of the Year: Mike Vrabel, Titans

Coach of the Year: Mike Vrabel, Titans
Steve Roberts / USA Today Sports Images

Vrabel has done an excellent job to lead his team to first place in the AFC South, but his best coaching could be ahead after the team lost Derrick Henry. The Titans have a realistic shot at the No. 1 seed in the AFC if Vrabel can keep the team on course.

 
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Coach of the Year: Kliff Kingsbury, Cardinals

Coach of the Year: Kliff Kingsbury, Cardinals
Michael Chow / USA Today Sports Images

Kingsbury has turned his team into a contender in his third season, seeing the offense become elite while the defense has also made great strides in 2021. The team has also done a great job overcoming the recent injuries of Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins, and J.J. Watt.

 
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Coach of the Year: Bill Belichick, Patriots

Coach of the Year: Bill Belichick, Patriots
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

The Pats rebuilt their roster in the offseason under Belichick's guidance, but have entered the AFC conversation earlier than most expected. The defense is now playing at an elite level, while the offense has been efficient with rookie Mac Jones at quarterback.

 
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Coach of the Year: Mike McCarthy, Cowboys

Coach of the Year: Mike McCarthy, Cowboys
David Butler II / USA Today Sports Images

After a 2020 season plagued by injuries, the Cowboys are back in NFC contention this year. Mike McCarthy has helped lead an elite offense, while the defense has also made a comeback.

 
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Defensive Rookie of the Year: Micah Parsons, LB, Cowboys

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Micah Parsons, LB, Cowboys
Jerome Miron / USA Today Sports Images

Parsons is the clear frontrunner for Rookie of the Year, helping turn around one of the worst defenses in the league. He's performed in a variety of roles, recording six sacks and 58 tackles through 10 weeks.

 
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Defensive Rookie of the Year: Odafe Oweh, DE, Ravens

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Odafe Oweh, DE, Ravens
Tommy Gilligan / USA Today Sports Images

The Ravens have seemingly become a factory for edge rushers, with Oweh their newest pupil.  The first-round pick has four sacks through nine games.

 
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Defensive Rookie of the Year: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Broncos

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Broncos
David Dermer / USA Today Sports Images

Surtain is proving that his status as the ninth pick in the draft wasn't due to nepotism. He's been an elite cover corner for the Broncos and has 32 tackles and one pick in 10 games to show for it.

 
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Defensive Rookie of the Year: Azeez Ojulari, DE, Giants

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Azeez Ojulari, DE, Giants
Geoff Burke / USA Today Sports Images

The Giants needed pass-rush help in the offseason, and Ojulari has been able to answer the call. The second-round pick has 5.5 sacks through 10 weeks.

 
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Defensive Rookie of the Year: Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Chargers

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Chargers
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Samuel has shown a nose for the ball with two interceptions and 24 tackles through 10 weeks. He's played a key role for a Chargers defense that has struggled at times.

 
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Offensive Rookie of the Year: Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Bengals

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Bengals
Sam Greene / USA Today Sports Images

After sitting out the 2020 college season, Chase hasn't skipped a beat in his first NFL year. He's become an elite deep threat with 19 yards per reception, recording 835 yards and seven touchdowns through his first nine career games.

 
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Offensive Rookie of the Year: Mac Jones, QB, Patriots

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Mac Jones, QB, Patriots
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

Jones is putting together one of the strongest seasons from a rookie quarterback in recent memory. The former Alabama star has completed 70% of his passes with 14 touchdowns in 11 games, leading the Pats back to contention.

 
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Offensive Rookie of the Year: Najee Harris, RB, Steelers

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Najee Harris, RB, Steelers
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

The Steelers have been insistent that they want a more balanced offense this season, and that effort has been led by Harris. The first-round pick has over 900 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns through nine games.

 
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Offensive Rookie of the Year: DeVonta Smith, WR, Eagles

Offensive Rookie of the Year: DeVonta Smith, WR, Eagles
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

Smith has made a smooth transition to the NFL after winning the Heisman Trophy at Alabama last year. He's Philly's leading receiver with 603 yards and four touchdowns through 10 games.

 
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Offensive Rookie of the Year: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars
Trevor Ruszkowski / USA Today Sports Images

There have been some major hiccups but also signs of progress from the first overall pick in the draft. Lawrence has struggled with his accuracy but has thrown for nearly 2,000 yards in his first nine career games.

 
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Defensive Player of the Year: Myles Garrett, DE, Browns

Defensive Player of the Year: Myles Garrett, DE, Browns
Scott Galvin / USA Today Sports Images

Garrett has already recorded double-digit sacks for the fourth consecutive seasons and is well on his way to winning Defensive Player of the Year. The Browns star leads the league with 13 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in his first 10 games.

 
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Defensive Player of the Year: Trevon Diggs, CB, Cowboys

Defensive Player of the Year: Trevon Diggs, CB, Cowboys
Brian Fluharty / USA Today Sports Images

Diggs has shown a nose for the ball in his second season, leading the league with eight interceptions and two pick-sixes over his first nine games. He began the season with an incredible streak of six consecutive games with an interception.

 
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Defensive Player of the Year: T.J. Watt, EDGE, Steelers

Defensive Player of the Year: T.J. Watt, EDGE, Steelers
Scott Galvin / USA Today Sports Images

Like Myles Garrett, Watt has recorded double-digit sacks for the fourth straight year. After leading the NFL with 15 sacks last season, he has 12.5 sacks through Week 10.

 
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Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Donald, DT, Rams

Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Donald, DT, Rams
Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today Sports Images

The three-time Defensive Player of the Year, including last year, is in contention once again. Donald's numbers are down slightly, but he still has six sacks and 45 tackles through 10 games.

 
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Defensive Player of the Year: Kevin Byard, S, Titans

Defensive Player of the Year: Kevin Byard, S, Titans
George Walker IV / USA Today Sports Images

Byard has helped hold down a transitioning Titans secondary this season. He's rebounded to record five interceptions through Week 10.

 
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Offensive Player of the Year: Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams

Offensive Player of the Year: Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams
Robert Hanashiro / USA Today Sports Images

Kupp has been on a record-breaking pace for the incredible Rams offense. Through Week 10, he leads the league in receptions (85), receiving yards (1,141), and receiving touchdowns (10).

 
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Offensive Player of the Year: Kyler Murray, QB, Cardiinals

Offensive Player of the Year: Kyler Murray, QB, Cardiinals
Michael Chow / USA Today Sports Images

Two missed games have stopped Murray's momentum, but he remains a top candidate for Offensive Player of the Year. He leads the lack with a 72.7% completion rate, along with 8.9 yards per pass attempt. He hasn't run as often this season but recorded nearly 2,300 yards passing and 17 touchdowns through eight games.

 
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Offensive Player of the Year: Davante Adams, WR, Packers

Offensive Player of the Year: Davante Adams, WR, Packers
Jeff Hanisch / USA Today Sports Images

Adams is having another elite season with 96 receiving yards per game. He hasn't been able to keep up last year's incredible touchdown pace when he led the league with 18 receiving touchdowns.

 
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Offensive Player of the Year: Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts

Offensive Player of the Year: Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts
Robert Scheer / USA Today Sports Images

With Derrick Henry sidelined, Taylor is well on his way to leading the NFL in rushing. He currently holds that crown with 1,122 rushing yards, along with 13 touchdowns. His 1,444 yards from scrimmage also leads the league.

 
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Offensive Player of the Year: Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens

Offensive Player of the Year: Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens
Jasen Vinlove / USA Today Sports Images

Jackson's overall numbers took a big hit after a loss in Miami, but he's still having a great year with over 2,400 yards passing and over 600 yards rushing through nine games.

 
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Most Valuable Player: Josh Allen, QB, Bills

Most Valuable Player: Josh Allen, QB, Bills
Brad Penner / USA Today Sports Images

Allen has emerged as a top MVP candidate with Buffalo sitting near the top of the AFC again. He had over 2,600 yards passing and 19 touchdowns through nine games.

 
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Most Valuable Player: Tom Brady, QB, Buccaneers

Most Valuable Player: Tom Brady, QB, Buccaneers
Geoff Burke / USA Today Sports Images

Brady has three MVP Awards in his career and has a realistic shot for his fourth at age 44. He leads the league with 27 touchdown pass through nine games, also throwing for nearly 2,900 yards.

 
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Most Valuable Player: Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys

Most Valuable Player: Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys
Tim Heitman / USA Today Sports Images

The rebound season continues for Prescott, who has completed over 70% of his passes with 2,341 yards and 20 touchdowns through Week 10. He hasn't done as much running this season after getting injured last year but leads the NFL in QB Rating.

 
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Most Valuable Player: Matthew Stafford, QB, Rams

Most Valuable Player: Matthew Stafford, QB, Rams
Cary Edmondson / USA Today Sports Images

Stafford's MVP candidacy took a major blow after back-to-back struggles against the Titans and 49ers, but he still has a shot. He leads the NFL in passing yards through Week 10, also throwing for 24 touchdowns in 10 games.

 
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Most Valuable Player: Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens

Most Valuable Player: Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens
Mitch Stringer / USA Today Sports Images

Jackson not only has an MVP case with his raw numbers, but also because he's helped the Ravens remain in contention despite major injuries at running back, the offensive line, and in the secondary. He's far from his 2019 MVP touchdown pace but has generated four fourth quarterback comebacks already.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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