So far, we have ranked the top running backs, inside linebackers, outside linebackers, tight ends, defensive tackles, wide receivers, defensive ends, kick returners, running backs, linebacker duos, wide receiver duos, safeties and cornerbacks in the league.
With the end of the season approaching, we are switching gears this week. Let's take a look at which players are moving up and down in the major award races.
Peyton Manning is running away with the MVP trophy. Just when it appeared that Russell Wilson was gaining on him, Manning produced his most impressive two-game stretch of the season, dropping bombs on the Chiefs and Titans in cold weather. However, Manning threw an untimely fourth-quarter pick in Thursday's shocking loss to the Chargers.Â
In a week that saw Adrian Peterson and Rob Gronkowski go down with injuries, Jamaal Charles and LeSean McCoy bolstered their cases for the NFL's most valuable non-quarterback. Both backs have not only produced a handful of signature performances, but have also raised their games in the elements.
We're at the same place we were a week ago, with no clear winner. All six players atop Gregg Rosenthal's DPOY list were on the losing side of the Week 15 scoreboard. J.J. Watt may well end up being regarded as the most dominant defensive player of his generation, but his team's games essentially have been rendered meaningless over the past few weeks.
I would add Cameron Jordan of the Saints and Calais Campbell of the Cardinals to Gregg's list, but the primary takeaway is that we need the final three weeks to play out before a victor emerges from the pack.
Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon and Rams running back Zac Stacy turned in back-to-back underwhelming performances, leaving this as a three-horse race between Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen, Packers running back Eddie Lacy and Bengals running back Giovanni Bernard.
Allen has shown no signs of slowing down, scoring twice on the Giants while playing through a shoulder injury. He followed up that performance with a two-catch, two-touchdown game against the Broncos on Thursday. Lacy toughed out an ankle injury of his own, getting more than what was blocked for against the Falcons last week. Bernard was arguably the best player on the field in the Bengals' win over the Colts, totaling 148 yards from scrimmage. This is a tight battle.
Bruce Arians emphasized that it "will take two guys" to replace Tyrann Mathieu, whom the Cardinals coach believes has already earned the DROY award. Honey Badger topped our list a week ago, but there wasn't much distance between him and a handful of impressive young rookies.
Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson, Bills linebacker Kiko Alonso and Panthers defensive tackle Star Lotulelei all have strong cases as impact players. Saints safety and jack-of-all-tradesKenny Vaccaro is climbing the list with an impressive string of games.
Much like the defensive award, the top candidates on this list (Pete Carroll, Ron Rivera) lost their Week 14 games. The No. 3 candidate (Bill Belichick) will have to close out the season without his second-most valuable player.
Meanwhile, no team is hotter than Chip Kelly's Eagles squad, which is threatening to pull away from the Cowboys in the NFC East. Sean Payton deserves credit for resurrecting the Saints. By that measure, Arians belongs in the discussion after turning a franchise around for the second consecutive season. This award is too close to call.
*The latest "Around The League Podcast" recapped all the Week 14 games. *
