NFL Analysis
10/31/24
10 min read
The 33rd Team's Midseason 2024 NFL Consensus Awards: Who Is NFL's MVP?
The halfway point of the 2024 NFL season is the perfect time to check in on the leaders for every major award.
Nine members of The 33rd Team were surveyed to give their choices for each of the major awards, including MVP, Offensive Rookie of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, and all of the other major accolades. While there wasn't 100 percent consensus on any of the awards, there were some strong cases made for each winner.
Let's break down the consensus midseason award winners, from MVP to Coach of the Year.
The voting panel:
- Tyler Brooke: NFL Analyst
- Ian Valentino: NFL/NFL Draft Analyst
- James Foster: NFL Analyst
- Dan Pizzuta: NFL Analyst
- CH Herrmann: Fantasy Writer
- Kyle Crabbs: NFL Draft Lead
- Jeff Diamond: Former NFL Executive
- Dante Collinelli: Deputy Editor
- Ian Kenyon: Editor-In-Chief
🏆MVP: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens 
In one of the closer races of the poll, Lamar Jackson beat out Josh Allen by a single vote. Both quarterbacks are having terrific seasons, but the Baltimore Ravens offense firing on all cylinders might have been the deciding factor.
Jackson is on pace for the best season of his career as a passer, throwing for 2,099 yards, 17 touchdowns, and just two interceptions. His 8.9 yards per attempt and 115.4 passer rating are both career highs while leading the NFL in total EPA and success rate, according to NFELO.
"It's hard to imagine that Lamar Jackson is playing his best football despite already winning two MVP awards, but here we are. Jackson is the NFL's most dynamic quarterback this season, being whatever the Baltimore Ravens need him to be at any given moment. Derrick Henry has helped him a ton, but Jackson is still navigating a below-average offensive line and middling receiver group at an elite level.
Nobody is making high-level plays more often and with more style than Jackson right now. Ultimately, the only other player I considered for this spot was Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen, but I think Jackson has been ever so slightly better at this point." - Dante Collinelli, Deputy Editor
Others receiving votes: Josh Allen (3), Jared Goff, Jayden Daniels
🏆OPOY: Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
Derrick Henry ran away with the OPOY award, and for good reason. Despite being 30 years old with more than 2,000 career carries, the Ravens star is doing things no other modern running back has done.
"The Offensive Player of the Year Award has gone to a running back in five of the last 12 years. Heading into Week 9, Henry’s 145 carries, 946 yards, 6.5 yards-per-carry average, and nine touchdowns all lead the NFL among qualified running backs. Henry’s season pace of 2,010 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns would be the fifth 2,000-yard rushing season since the year 2000 and Henry’s second such season. All four instances resulted in that player winning Offensive Player of the Year. He also has the chance to become the first player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards twice.
Henry leads all running backs in total EPA (23.8) and is third in EPA per rush (0.14). His dominance extends beyond the boxscore, as his presence has also helped the Ravens’ passing game where Lamar Jackson looks like he may grab his third MVP award. " - Ian Kenyon, Editor-In-Chief
Others receiving votes: Justin Jefferson, Jared Goff, Tristan Wirfs
🏆DPOY (TIE): Xavier McKinney, Packers and T.J. Watt, Steelers
While there was near-consensus on OROY, virtually no one could agree on who the Defensive Player of the Year is this season. Only two players received more than two votes, resulting in a tie between Xavier McKinney and T.J. Watt.
McKinney leads the NFL with six interceptions and seven pass breakups. According to Pro Football Focus, he's allowed a passer rating of just 50.3 when targeted, with zero touchdowns allowed. Meanwhile, Watt continues to be one of the league's most dominant pass rushers, racking up 6.5 sacks to go along with four forced fumbles, tied for the most in the league.
"The Green Bay Packers completely overhauled their defense this offseason, with defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley and Xavier McKinney looking like the perfect pairing. Unlike the current meta with two-high safeties, Hafley loves to live in single-high looks, allowing McKinney to roam sideline to sideline by reading the QB's eyes and baiting them into bad throws. His impact in his first year in Green Bay has completely transformed a unit that's been talented but disappointing over the last few seasons." - Tyler Brooke, NFL Analyst
Others receiving votes: Brian Branch, Nick Bosa, Denzel Ward, Fred Warner, Dexter Lawrence
🏆Coach of the Year: Dan Quinn, Washington Commanders
In another close race, Dan Quinn squeaks by Matt LaFleur to win the midseason Coach of the Year award.
Despite low expectations heading into the year, Quinn has led the Washington Commanders to a 6-2 record and an outright lead in the NFC East. His most recent win came on a miraculous Hail Mary against the Chicago Bears.
"There are many excellent Coach of the Year candidates at midseason, including Andy Reid, Sean McDermott, Mike Tomlin, Dan Campbell, Kevin O'Connell, and Matt LaFleur. I put Dan Quinn at the top with his 6-2 Commanders surprisingly leading the NFC East after he inherited a 4-13 team. Quinn hired a fine staff, including offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
Quinn has a rookie phenom at quarterback in Jayden Daniels, who he has entrusted and empowered as the offense has dramatically improved from 24th in 2023 to third through eight games. He has a defensive background and has led the Washington defense that was last in the league in 2023 to a respectable 13th this season despite losing Pro Bowl DT Jonathan Allen for the season (torn pec). Quinn was a big part of recruiting and coaching up an outstanding group of free agents on defense, including the team's top two tacklers — Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu — and the top of the team's top three sackers (that includes Luvu) — Dante Fowler and Dorance Armstrong. There are two other free agent starters on defense — Jeremy Chinn and Clelin Ferrell." - Jeff Diamond, Award-Winning NFL Executive
Others receiving votes: Matt LaFleur (3), Kevin O'Connell, Andy Reid
🏆OROY: Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
The biggest runaway winner of the midseason awards goes to Jayden Daniels, who received all but one vote for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Caleb Williams received zero votes, mostly due to Daniels' consistent dominance throughout the year.
Daniels is completing 72.4 percent of his passes for seven touchdowns and two interceptions while rushing for another four scores. Per NFELO, he's second behind only Lamar Jackson in total EPA (95) and just ahead of Josh Allen, another MVP candidate.
Quinn has a rookie phenom at quarterback in Jayden Daniels
Jeff Diamond
"For as tight of a race as the OROY will be, I've got to hand it to Jayden Daniels. In addition to his excellent contributions as a passer this season (0.25 EPA per dropback ranks second among QBs in 2024 to date), the former LSU signal-caller is pacing to finish his debut campaign with 901 rushing yards. Such a total would break the rookie QB rushing yardage record (815) set by former Commanders QB Robert Griffin III in 2012 and exercise many of the proverbial demons the franchise has faced in the decade-plus since then. They've finally found their quarterback for the future.
Expectations for the Commanders were pretty low entering the season, so watching this all unfold to the tune of a 6-2 record as of this writing has been a pleasant surprise. It's even wilder when you remember that the team traded away Jahan Dotson to the Eagles before the year began — the Commanders subtracted weapons, and they're still thriving!" - C.H. Herrmann, Fantasy Writer
Others receiving votes: Brock Bowers
🏆DROY: Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams didn't take Jared Verse until the 19th pick in the first round of the 2024 draft, but he's already looking like an absolute steal.
Verse earned Defensive Rookie of the Month honors in September and continues to play at a high level. Along with 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble on the year, he's already generated 32 pressures this season, according to PFF.
"Jared Verse has the second-highest pressure rate in the NFL and has been the most productive rookie edge rusher by far. He pairs an overwhelming bull rush with a violent chop move to win around the outside shoulder. His sack total (3) doesn’t match his overall effectiveness as a pass rusher, although he does need to clean up the missed tackles. Verse's early success is a good reminder that power rushers have a much easier transition from college to the NFL than speed rushers." - James Foster, NFL Analyst
Others receiving votes: Edgerrin Cooper, Quinyon Mitchell
🏆Comeback POY: Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons
Another close race to wrap things up, but Kirk Cousins just snuck by J.K. Dobbins to win Comeback Player of the Year.
The value of the quarterback position, along with Cousins' level of play, likely played a key factor in the decision. Less than a year after tearing his Achilles, the 36-year-old quarterback has thrown for more than 2,100 yards with 14 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a strong 7.8 yards per attempt.
"After a shaky Week 1, Cousins has been one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the league. The Falcons have leaned into his inability to move — a league-high 93.7 percent of his plays have come from the pocket — and the quick-hitting pistol offense has worked. Cousins is using anticipation and accuracy to have the eighth-best EPA per play among quarterbacks through eight weeks despite the physical limitations, and he’s sixth in completion percentage over expectation. It’s one of the better first halves of his career, just ignoring the context of his situation. He’s also been significantly better than the other quarterback coming off an Achilles injury. " - Dan Pizzuta, NFL Analyst
Others receiving votes: J.K. Dobbins (3), Joe Burrow, Sam Darnold
