Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles: Picking Patrick Mahomes to win a third one is too boring. And we all know this is really MVQ (Most Valuable Quarterback), so let’s double down on Hurts, the pick here last year, now that he has Saquon Barkley on his side.
Micah Parsons, LB, Cowboys: Picking Parsons is boring because he’s the most talented defender on the planet, but who cares? Let’s double down on last year’s pick for one reason that might irk Vikings fans: Hate him or hate him some more, Mike Zimmer can still c-o-a-c-h.
Tyreek Hill, WR, Dolphins: He had 1,481 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns through 12 games last year before getting hurt and losing this award to Christian McCaffrey. Don’t count the Cheetah out. Even if he did turn 30 in March.
Andy Reid, Chiefs: I’ll keep writing this until one of the best coaches in NFL history hopefully breaks from the pack of one-time NFL Coach of the Year winners like Matt Nagy and Jason Garrett: Poor overlooked and taken-for-granted Andy. In the past 11 seasons, he’s gone 132-51 (.721) with 16 playoff wins. He’s been to the last five AFC title games, won four of them, gone on to win three Super Bowls and … still has not won NFL Coach of the Year with a Chiefs team that was 76-100 (.432) with no playoff wins in the 11 seasons before it hired Reid a day after he was fired in Philly.
Xavier Worthy, WR, Chiefs: No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams has all the weapons at his disposal to win this award. But, sorry, just not going full buy-in on Williams. Worthy has the ultimate weapon (Mahomes) and the best coach (Reid) helping him.
Terrion Arnold, CB, Lions: The 24th overall pick from Alabama should feast off of Detroit’s pass rush.
Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals: I’ll see your Kirk Cousins, your Sam Darnold and your old man Rodgers and raise you one Joe Burrow, who’s back after missing seven games with a torn ligament in his right wrist.
Four new playoff faces: The NFL will have at least four new playoff teams for the 35th straight season. Congratulations Seattle, Atlanta, Cincinnati and the LA Chargers. Condolences Green Bay, the Rams, Buffalo and Cleveland.
