Midway through the NFL season, who has stood out the most?
The envelopes, please … .
MVP: Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes faced nine opponents for whom a Chiefs game was their Super Bowl. His best interior blocker opted out of the 2020 season, as did running back Damien Williams, who had a big Super Bowl in February. The team’s best blocker, right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, missed three games. Receiver Sammy Watkins went down, too.
Mahomes responded by leading the Chiefs to an 8-1 record with road victories against the Bills (7-2) and Ravens (6-2). The explosive passing game he established opened up screens and runs, speeding up the acclimation of rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (4.7 yards per carry, 28 receptions) and blockers pressed into duty. Despite all the attention, Mahomes threw only one interception.
Top coach: Mike Tomlin, Steelers
Tomlin’s background is on defense, and the Steelers (8-0) have been very good there in a year when defense became ever harder to play amid NFL efforts to curtail holding penalties on blockers.
Stopping Lamar Jackson and the Ravens (6-2) in the final minute maintained Pittsburgh’s inside track to the AFC’s only playoff bye. The pass defense wasn’t especially fast, more so after linebacker Devin Bush was lost to injury, but the Steelers were first in sacks, sack percentage and pressure percentage.
Top defensive player: Rams tackle Aaron Donald
Donald earned a tiny edge over Browns end Myles Garrett because interior pressure is more valuable than edge pressure. The two tied for the NFL lead in sacks with nine. Both commanded double teams.
Versatile Steelers edge defender T.J. Watt trailed only Steelers LB Vince Williams in tackles for loss with 12, had seven sacks, set the edge against the run and held up in occasional coverage.
Top rookie, offense: Bengals QB Joe Burrow
Burrow took too many hits, a factor in his eight fumbles, four of which he recovered. But he led the immature Bengals (2-5-1) to an upset of the Titans and managed to start and finish all eight games despite taking 28 sacks. Though he was second in pass attempts, he threw only five interceptions. He passed for 11 touchdowns and ran for three others plus 13 first downs.
A strong case could be made for Chargers QB Justin Herbert, who recorded a 110.9 passer rating, 15 TD passes and three interceptions in the past five games. His line, though not good, was less troublesome than Cincinnati’s.
Top rookie, defense: Washington end Chase Young
In seven games, Young assembled 5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble for a defense that ranked 11th in points.
Comeback Player: Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger
