NFL Mid-Season Awards

Well, here we are, week 9, with the 18 Week season we can at least put a true pin in where the middle of the season is, possibly the only true useful part of the 18 week season. This is the time where the Super Bowl contenders rise or fall, where the hopefuls sink or swim and where the rest of the bums treat the #1 pick like the final drop of some cheap whiskey standing around a garbage can fire. So, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls and everyone else, without further ado, the 2023 mid-season NFL awards

MVP

Alex Boyajian

Lamar Jackson

Although, I believe the Ravens are not the best team in football, I believe what Lamar has done with this team is MVP worthy, they are a top 5 team all while having a million injuries, he is in the top 20 in rushing yards and top 10 in rushing touchdowns, he is top 20 in pass yards per game and pass touchdowns per game, yeah those passing numbers aren't awesome but I just think of his rushing numbers as passing as well, he can do it all, but Patrick Mahomes is on his tail, I mean, any QB of the arguable best team in football should be up there. Look for A.J. Brown and Tyreek Hill too, I know they are wide receivers but, both are already at 1,000 yards, if they both pick up the pace a little bit, they could reach the magic 2,000 yards

Michael Seff

Tua Tagovailoa

It helps to have Tyreek Hill, but the Dolphins’ offense has been the key to their hot start. A healthy Tua makes Miami legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

Curtis Brown

C.J. Stroud

While the obvious picks will usually fill my award recipients list. I’d like to lead off with a Dark Horse, if he actually did win the real hardware, he would make history as the 1st Rookie to do it, CJ Stroud. I challenge you to give me an example of how one player’s impact has given a preseason written off team, to sniffing the playoffs after 9 weeks. Long season still remains but his play against Tampa Bay highlighted what Texans fans have been seeing glimpses of all year.

Comeback Player Of The Year

Alex Boyajian

Tua Tagovailoa

I know, I know, Damar Hamlin had a heart attack and I really honor that, I mean, to have a cardiac episode on a football field and to have the bravery to come back and step onto a football field again is something that I say I wouldn't be able to do, lets be reasonable here, looking at this in a truly objective light, Damar is a 2nd-3rd string player and he's only been active for 2 games, to truly see what Tua has done and what he means to the offense should lock the award up for him, they were anemic last year even with Tyreek Hill and all those speedy weapons but they couldn't get the job done without Tua and Tua had his own extremely scary moments last year too and Damar may have taken the "shine" from Tua.

Michael Seff

Lamar Jackson

Maybe it’s not as dramatic a comeback as Damar Hamlin, but the Ravens are in first place with a healthy Jackson and have reason to think big the way he’s played in the first half.

Curtis Brown

Foster Moreau

On a real note, this should be two awards, one for those who had an ailment and made it back to the NFL, and those who had an injury that sidelined them for a while. In which case, I’d go with New Orleans Tight End Foster Moreau for the 1st, and the 2nd, a bit of a Hail Mary standing here as week 9 ends. But Aaron Rodgers, if he indeed comes back from his week 1 Achilles Tear, is an insane story. If he does, this surgery which was called “experimental” could be called “normal” if he returns and can still be Rodgers.

Most Explosive

Alex Boyajian

Tyreek Hill

I am not going for trendy here, it's Tyreek, AJ Brown could take his spot but right now it's Tyreek and there is no debate

Michael Seff

Tyreek Hill

He’s been everything the Dolphins could’ve hoped for and more since trading for him.

Curtis Brown

Tyreek Hill

The man blur, the cheetah, THE proverbial speeding bullet only Superman can stop. Enough Said.

Best Coach

Alex Boyajian

DeMeco Ryans

Wasn't this Texans team supposed to lose 10+ games? Wasn't C.J. Stroud supposed to be a major bust? Not according to Ryans, he has this Texans team at .500 and right on the outside of a playoff spot, hell, he even teaches his running backs to kick, the future is bright in Houston and the AFC South

Michael Seff

Dan Campbell

He’s completely changed the culture in Detroit. I’m not even a Lions fan and I still want to run through a wall for this guy.

Curtis Brown

Mike Tomlin

While the arguments can be made for Shanahan, or Pete Carroll, I’m choosing someone who has gained a lot of respect over the years, but it has almost doubled with the team at this moment being 2 games above .500. Mike Tomlin, this man consistently manages to get the most out of his defense in the biggest moments of games to secure or steal a victory. While his offense for most of the year has been as present and helpful as a father who “left for a pack of smokes” and never came back. If there are any football gods, they will let Mike Tomlin retire without a losing season.

Biggest Surprise Team

Alex Boyajian

Houston Texans

Wasn't this Texans team supposed to lose 10+ games? Wasn't C.J. Stroud supposed to be a major bust? Not according to Ryans, he has this Texans team at .500 and right on the outside of a playoff spot, hell, he even teaches his running backs to kick, the future is bright in Houston and the AFC South (Yes I know I already wrote this, but I feel it plays, oh yeah, C.J. Stroud is really really good)

Michael Seff

Seattle Seahawks

The Lions were a tempting choice, but since they were everyone’s trendy pick I’m going with the team that looked ripe for a regression in 2023. Instead, Pete Carroll’s team just keeps on keepin’ on, and Geno Smith is proving 2022 is no fluke.

Curtis Brown

Detroit Lions

I knew they got better, I knew they were building off of last season. I knew that. I watched Hard Knocks. I’m a Dan Campbell fan too. But the Lions, outside of their massive flop against the Ravens, have been everything but your “Typical Lions” team. Goff is playing well, the OC Ben Johnson proves he was just holding out on being a HC for more money.

Biggest Surprise Player

Alex Boyajian

Kirk Cousins

Before the guy went down, he was on pace to do some CRAZY numbers and he was bringing this Viking team back from the dead, they started 0-3 and got back to 4-4 mainly because of Cousins, his entire career, he was seen as the definition of a game manager, he "couldn't win the important games", this year he put his cape on and became SuperKirk, now, Dobbs has the opportunity to take this spot in our end of season report cards and I sure hope he does, because this Vikings team can still find themselves in the playoffs

Michael Seff

Puka Nacua

In Cooper Kupp fashion, Nacua is taking the league by storm despite being a (very) modest draft pick. The fifth-rounder is third in the NFL in receiving yards.

Curtis Brown

Joshua Dobbs

A young man who just wanted to play football, but is also gifted with a mind so bright that he just knows… everything. Joshua Dobbs did incredible things at the University of Tennessee then was drafted by Pittsburgh, traded to Jacksonville, then he is cut and signed back to Pittsburgh, then goes to Detroit to be put on a practice squad, but he had not really been given a lot of opportunities to play until late last season with the Titans, who had him for 6 DAYS. Has a competitive game with Dallas on a Thursday night. Does enough to impress to start again with the Division on the line against Jacksonville in week 18, both games are losses. But he played well enough to be signed to the Cardinals in the 2023 offseason, start and have the lackluster Cardinals, in most games they have played besting the Cowboys, then being traded AGAIN mid season, and puts 31 points up and gets the W, as the Starting QB of the Vikings, on Day 5 with the team. Hats off to the effort Sir.

Most Disappointing Team

Alex Boyajian

New England Patriots

Even though I am a Colts fan, I have always had a soft spot for Belichick, he is one of the few coaches that truly makes the correct in game decisions, proper use of time outs, knows when to take the points, I still think it's Brady AND Belichick, not Brady or Belichick. I really thought Mac Jones was going to take all the criticism personal and shoot out of a cannon but he just isn't the guy, oh how the mighty have fallen.

Michael Seff

New York Giants

A step back was expected, but the Giants have just looked overmatched most weeks. Quarterback injuries haven’t helped, but the G-Men have managed to erase all of 2022’s good vibes.

Curtis Brown

New England Patriots

The complete and utter demise of the Patriot Way in New England. Bill is either teetering on retirement or going the way of Old Yeller. His attempts to replace Tom Brady to this point have been… unsuccessful to put it lightly. Zappe, Grier and Jones, sound more like a Millennial Law firm or a discount 70s/80s funk cover band than it does a QB room anyway. I’m not gunna lie to ya, those guys really aren’t the issue, it’s just Bill. The man has really only made head scratching moves his entire career as Sorcerer Supreme in New England. It’s just like he lost his touch or QB that covered up several flawed team builds over the 20+ years in as the Patriots resident Darth Sidious.

Most Disappointing Player

Alex Boyajian

Bryce Young

I know that he's a rookie, but this kid was supposed to be the safest option in the draft, that's why Reich took him and he is already worse than Stroud, Richardson and even Levis, have we seen anything positive out of him?

Michael Seff

Jimmy Garoppolo

Again, it’s hard to get sacked by the Raiders, but Garoppolo is riding the pine after the thought was he could elevate the team to playoff contenders. Injuries and poor decision-making have bitten Jimmy G.

Curtis Brown

Davante Adams

Dude, you left Aaron and the Packers, for your college QB, on your childhood favorite team and a bag. Then your QB left and you feel a type of way because you aren’t getting the ball. Every great WR I guess has to have a down couple years for the Raiders to appreciate being, literally anywhere else.

LVP

Alex Boyajian

Ryan Tannehill

Benched half way through the year, 6 INT's in 6 games with 2 TD passes, 30th in QBR and 31st in Rating, the Titans are basically starting a rebuild, you could give me 10 pages to write about how the Titans completely screwed up their entire franchise

Michael Seff

Desmond Ridder

It seemed clear that Ridder wasn’t the guy early on, but it has taken the Falcons until mid season to make the change to Taylor Heinicke. It feels like the Falcons could be in first place by their lonesome if not for Ridder holding them back.

Curtis Brown

The Entire Tennessee Titans Offensive Line Minus Peter Skoronski

Pick a Titans Offensive Lineman, not named Skoronski.

Bone-Head Coach of the Year

Alex Boyajian

Sean Payton

I am aware they are playing better but didn't Sean Payton say that Nate Hackett's coaching job was the worst he has ever seen and he ended up having a worse record through 6 games than Hackett did last year and Hackett didn't give up 70 points in a single game, Sean Payton also paid his players to hurt other players, so I hate his guts and will always despise him as a person so I will always have a bias and remember, our opinions are original and not bought by companies and political parties to try and brainwash the American public by saying cable news is real "news" when they only post stories with biased information to radicalize each side of the political spectrum, also Josh McDaniels could also take this spot.

Michael Seff

Josh McDaniels

It’s hard to believe he lasted this long. It’s hard to get fired by the Raiders considering the bar has been set so low the past two decades. But for the second time in his laughable coaching career, McDaniels is axed midway through the season by an AFC West team.

Curtis Brown

Matt Eberflus

The Bears entire coaching staff (and front office.) From a constant shuffling of OL, too not tailoring the offense to the QB, or how Eburflus is a Defensive minded coach but I have yet to see much of that this season. The Monsters of the Midway are gone, questionable personnel decisions and management for the future have seen to it that the pieces that are worth keeping are leaving.

Heart Breaking Loss of The Year

Alex Boyajian

Jets 22 Bills 16 in OT, Week 1, Monday Night Football

Yes, the Aaron Rodgers game, where he played 4 downs and 5 snaps (the 5th was his achilles, Zing!) but this isn't about Rodgers, this is about the Bills. Once Rodgers goes down, the Bills think it's a cake walk to win the game, they then lose on a punt return touchdown to start the season. What a low note to start the season on for a team that was really looking to come out and win after an embarrassing loss to Cincy at home in the playoffs. This year may be the final year in their window and the pressure was on, they really haven't seemed to recover from blowing the 10 point, halftime lead on the Monday Night Game

Michael Seff

Aaron Rodgers

To the Jets’ credit, they’re 4-3 and very much in the race. But it’s hard not to wonder just where they might be if Rodgers was healthy.

Curtis Brown

Texans Interior Offensive Line

There really haven’t been many heartbreaking games this season, as it is still only mid season. With players however, I’m sure we can all find at least two promising players on our favorite teams, who are on IR right now. With My Texans it’s hit the hardest on the interior of OL: Juice Scruggs, Jarrett Patterson, Scott Quessenberry, G/C Kendrick Green, all Centers all on IR right now. This doesn’t include Swing Tackle Charlie Heck, or Guard Kenyon Green who are on the pup list and IR respectively. But that’s just one position group.

Most Under-Utilized Player

Alex Boyajian

The Entire Atlanta Falcons Offense

Okay, maybe not the WHOLE offense but 3 1st round picks? Jonnu Smith was their leading receiver against Minnesota, Kyle Pitts has 32 receptions for 389 yards and 1 touchdown, Bijan Robinson has 517 on 103 attempts for 1 rushing touchdown and Drake London has 37 receptions for 438 yards and 2 touchdowns. Awful? No, but with the talent these guys have, being on pace for 1,000 yards should be from just having them on the field, their talent could account for at least another 700 yards per player and considering what Arthur Smith did last year with their run game, you would have thought that Bijan Robinson could have broken Eric Dickerson's rushing record, but Arthur Smith just seems to like using Tyler Allgeier and Jonnu Smith more

Michael Seff

Kyle Pitts

28 catches in 8 games for a player of Pitts’ ability seems criminal. Of course, Ridder is partially to blame.

Curtis Brown

Lamar Jackson

Is it just me or does this award seem like you can’t use anyone from San Francisco? Well, I’m not going to so chill. My Most Underutilized Player is simple. Lamar Jackson, the effort of Baltimore this season has been, let’s see Lamar throw more, well, this has effected his game. He isn’t asked to do a lot of designed runs anymore, though does well when called up. Which to me, is the definition of criminality. Here you have a freak athlete with speed, agility and you want him to be more like a statue. This also applied to Justin Fields by the way.

Before we conclude, lets just take a second to thank the good people over at the NFL for all they do, I love football, possibly more than I love some family members (you know who you are) and football is just awesome and I am beyond excited to see what the script has in store for us, so lets appreciate football because before you know it, it's 8 am on February 12th, we all are hungover, ESPN is talking about what Bronny and LeBron had for breakfast and football is now, just a distant memory and we all long for one more day in the sun.

Alex Boyajian is the CEO of Chaotically Intolerant Multi Media Productions, Host of the Chaotically Intolerant Podcast, Commissioner of Chaotically Intolerant Table Tennis and the biggest Colts fan at Chaotically Intolerant

Michael Seff is the owner of draftamerica.com, Chaotically Intolerant's resident football analyst and the biggest Ravens fan at Chaotically Intolerant

Curtis Brown is the Owner of the Curtis Podcast Network, host of This AFC South Show and the biggest Texans fan at Chaotically Intolerant, you can find more from Curtis at his YouTube here