The NFL playoffs are approaching a fever pitch with Super Bowl LIX right around the corner. The league will also recognize the best of this season’s individual talent at the annual “NFL Honors” awards show, which is scheduled for Thursday, February 6 in New Orleans, home of this year’s big game.
Meanwhile, the Associated Press has revealed the finalists for every major award category, including MVP and Comeback Player of the Year. Here’s who is eligible to take home hardware:
Most valuable player
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Allen and Jackson have long been considered the two favorites for the league’s top individual award. The former got the better of their head-to-head matchup in the playoffs, while Jackson was a bit more prolific throughout the season, totaling 45 touchdowns for Baltimore.
Offensive Player of the Year
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Burrow was dynamic for an otherwise disappointing Bengals team, tying Jackson with 45 total touchdowns. And Chase was nearly unstoppable as his top target, scoring 17 touchdowns. Barkley made even more history, however, by eclipsing 2,000 rushing yards to lead the contending Eagles.
Defensive Player of the Year
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Garrett and Watt are perennial contenders as off-the-limit standard-setters, but Hendrickson led the NFL with 17.5 sacks in Cincinnati, and Baun has enjoyed one of the unlikeliest breakouts, going from backup pass-rusher to tenacious off-ball starter in Vic Fangio. Defense of the Eagles.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
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Daniels is a clear favorite here, knocking on the door of a historic Super Bowl appearance after an effortless and eye-catching dual-threat debut for the Commanders. However, Thomas was a true number one in Jacksonville, and Bowers also made history for his high volume of pass catches in silver and black.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
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Verse made an instant impact as the Rams’ top running back, racking up 11 tackles for loss and 18 quarterback hits as a first-rounder. The Eagles have enjoyed veteran-level poise from their two first-year coverage men, with Mitchell in particular offering Philadelphia near-shutdown skills on the perimeter.
Comeback Player of the Year
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Burrow was one of the game’s best passers a year after missing seven games due to injuries. Dobbins and Gonzalez also missed most of the 2023 season while recovering from serious ailments. Darnold, on the other hand, emerged from the shadow of past failures with 35 goals.
Coach of the year
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- Dan Campbell (Lions)
- Kevin O’Connell (Vikings)
- Sean Payton (Broncos)
- Dan Quinn (Commanders)
- Andy Reid (Chiefs)
Campbell led Detroit to an NFL-best 15-2 record a year after advancing to the NFC title game. O’Connell helped oversee Darnold’s rejuvenation en route to a 14-3 finish in the highly competitive NFC North. Both Payton and Quinn engineered surprise postseason bids with rookie quarterbacks.
Assistant Coach of the Year
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- Bills OC Joe Brady
- DC Eagles Vic Fangio
- Lions OC Ben Johnson
- Lions DC Aaron Glenn
- Vikings DC Brian Flores
Two of these men have already landed head coaching jobs elsewhere: Johnson is now in charge of the Chicago Bears and Glenn is in charge of the New York Jets. It’s also possible that Brady and Fangio will face off in Super Bowl LIX, pitting one of the NFL’s best offenses against one of its stingiest defenses.