Happy Holidays everyone! In this Christmas edition of the News and Notes, we’re going to take a look at the top 5 candidates for the MVP, DPOY, DROY, OROY, Comeback POTY, and COTY as well as a few stories from around the league and an updated injury report.
The Seahawks shocked the NFL with their playoff run this season after many wrote them off at the beginning of the season for a top 10 pick. However, Seattle has exceeded all expectations with a 9-6 record and are currently the #5 seed in the NFC playoff picture. The Seahawks organization was clearly very happy with the job Pete Carroll has done on the sidelines and have extended the head coaches contract for 3 years to carry them through the 2021 season.
Redskins Waive Swearinger
The Redskins made a shocking move Monday when they decided to waive veteran safety D.J. Swearinger. The Redskins made the decision after Swearingers heavy criticisms of the coaching after their 25-16 loss to the Titans, stating they “should have been more aggressive”. Swearinger has been a stalwart for the Redskins defense, leading the team this season in forced fumbles, interceptions, and pass breakups this season. The 27 year old will be subject to waivers due to the point in the season he was released, but will surely be a solid addition to a team looking for playmaking in the secondary to boost their hopes of a playoff run.
ESPN
Playoffs Starting A Week Early
Week 17 features a few intriguing matchups with playoff implications, but none more so than the Colts @ Titans contest that has been flexed to Sunday Night Football, making it the final game of the season due to all 16 games being played on Sunday. As it stands now, both teams are 9-6, and the winner of the Colts/Titans matchup will earn the #6 seed in the AFC playoff picture, making this game effectively a play-in game. With it coming in primetime in the final week of the season, this game will have a true playoff feel to it as the 2 AFC South teams are in a “win or go home” situation.
Superlatives
With the final week of the season approaching, we are going to take a look at the 7 major NFL awards and give a subjective ranking as to how we would vote if given the opportunity.
MVP
- Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes
- Chargers QB Philip Rivers
- Rams DT Aaron Donald
- Saints QB Drew Brees
- Seahawks QB Russell Wilson
Offensive Player of the Year
- Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey
- Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill
- Rams RB Todd Gurley
- Saints WR Michael Thomas
- Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott
Defensive Player of the Year
- Rams DT Aaron Donald
- Seahawks LB Bobby Wagner
- Bears FS Eddie Jackson
- Chiefs DT Chris Jones
- Bears EDGE Khalil Mack
Offensive Rookie of the Year
- Browns QB Baker Mayfield
- Giants RB Saquon Barkley
- Broncos RB Phillip Lindsay
- Jets QB Sam Darnold
- Ravens QB Lamar Jackson
Defensive Rookie of the Year
- Colts LB Darius Leonard
- Chargers S Derwin James
- Dallas LB Leighton Vander Esch
- Broncos EDGE Bradley Chubb
- Browns CB Denzel Ward
Comeback Player of the Year
- Colts QB Andrew Luck
- Packers QB Aaron Rodgers
- Texans QB Deshaun Watson
- Texans EDGE J.J. Watt
- Redskins RB Adrian Peterson
Coach of the Year
- Colts Frank Reich
- Bears Matt Nagy
- Seahawks Pete Carroll
- Chargers Anthony Lynn
- Saints Sean Payton
Injury Report
ATL RB Tevin Coleman (groin) – questionable
CAR DT Kawann Short (calf) – questionable
CAR QB Cam Newton (shoulder) – doubtful
CHI FS Eddie Jackson (ankle) – questionable
CIN WR Tyler Boyd (knee) – questionable
CLE CB Denzel Ward (concussion) – questionable
DAL CB Anthony Brown (back) – questionable
DAL DT Tyrone Crawford (neck) – placed on IR
GB WR Randall Cobb (concussion) – questionable
GB DT Kenny Clark (elbow) – questionable
HOU RB Lamar Miller (ankle) – questionable
HOU WR Demaryius Thomas (Achilles) – placed on IR
IND TE Eric Ebron (concussion) – questionable
JAX CB A.J. Bouye (toe) – questionable
KC CB Kendall Fuller (thumb) – questionable
LAR RB Todd Gurley (knee) – questionable
LAR S Lamarcus Joyner (ankle) – questionable
MIA CB Xavien Howard (knee) – questionable
MIN CB Xavier Rhodes (groin) – questionable
NYG WR Odell Beckham Jr. (quad) – questionable
PHI QB Carson Wentz (back) – out
PIT RB James Conner (ankle) – questionable
SF WR Marquise Goodwin (calf) – questionable
SF RB Matt Breida (ankle) – out
TEN DT Jurrell Casey (knee) – placed on IR
TEN QB Marcus Mariota (elbow) – questionable
WAS TE Jordan Reed (foot) – questionable
Once again Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas to you! Enjoy your day and check back Thursday for an updated injury update, playoff scenarios, and some more storylines around the league. Cheers!