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TFG Midseason NFL Awards: MVP, Best Game, Worst Fashion

After weeks of painful football the quality is starting to improve just as the first half wraps up. Talk about sport imitating life! Still, we’re more than ready to see what the second half beings so let’s wrap up a ho-hum first half by handing out some fake TFG hardware.

The winners of the NFL’s first half are….

MVP: Alex Smith, Chiefs QB

It’s a two-man race between Smith and Carson Wentz. Both are having career years but Smith bests Wentz in almost every significant category including completion percentage (Smith: 69.1, Wentz: 61.0), yards (Smith: 2181, Wentz: 2063) and average yards per completion (Smith: 8.4, Wentz: 7.8). But the most convincing argument is in Smith’s remarkable ability to protect the ball. He has yet to throw a pick this season, while Wentz has thrown five. Smith is a completely different animal and the only reason this is close is because people can’t get the image of him as conservative game manager out of their brains.

Defensive Player of the Year: Jalen Ramsey, Jaguars CB

Ramsey has followed up a strong rookie campaign with a bonecrushing second season. His teammate Calais Campbell with 10 sacks gets much of the accolades but it is the force that is Ramsey and how much field he can brilliantly cover that now scares the bejeezus out of opposing offensive coordinators.

Coach of the Year: Sean McVay, Rams

McVay is a magician for the way he quickly turned Jared Goff from potential draft bust into franchise quarterback. McVay has transformed an offense that was dead last in 2016 into no. 9 this season.  The entire Rams offense is explosive under McVay despite the lack of  an elite WR corps. At 5-2 they are legitimate contenders for the NFC West crown – and should be for years to come.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Deshaun Watson, Texans QB

Watson has electrified with his swagger, pocket presence and mindboggling numbers. He’s put up 16 touchdowns in his last four starts and is the first rookie with at least three touchdowns a game over that span. Watson has beat the teams he’s supposed to and almost pulled off a massive upset in Seattle last week. What was Bill O’Brien thinking starting Tom Savage ahead of this kid? UPDATE: Watson tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the 2017 season because life is terrible.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Marshon Lattimore, Saints CB

Lattimore already plays like a shutdown corner. His two interceptions, seven passed defended and a score have heavily helped this Saints defense transform from laughingstock to highly respectable.

Game of the Year: Week 7 – Chiefs at Raiders

It’s hard to eschew last week’s Houston-Seattle thriller because both quarterbacks played like legends. However, there were seven lead changes in this one and an unbelievable final :08 seconds for the ages. The last second touchdown to Michael Crabtree secured the 31-30  win and for a moment it felt like the Raiders were finally on an uphill trajectory. Spoiler: They got crushed the next week in Buffalo. But this game could be framed as a classic and gets extra points because it involved division rivals.

Touchdown Celebration of the Year: JuJu Smith-Schuster’s Hide and Seek

Most Idiotic Statement: Cam Newton “It’s funny to hear a female talk about routes.”

This easily could have gone to Texans owner Bob McNair who told his fellow owners that they “can’t let the inmates run the prison” in regard to the anthem protest. But Newton wins because his comment was uttered in a public media setting, he’s been asked a zillion footballs questions by the reporter and other female journalists throughout the league and his smirking emphasized the failed attempt at condescension.

Tony Romo’s Best Prediction: A million of them from Week 1

Ok, we’re cheating a bit. But Romo makes accurate predictions so fast and furious we now expect it. In his broadcasting debut on color for the Raiders-Titans he blew everyone with his ability to intricatly know both teams’ playbook.

Most Bizarre Storyline: Andrew Luck’s timetable for return

Is there one? Nine months after shoulder surgery, Luck finally threw a football, only to have a regression in pain. After cortisone shots didn’t work Luck just went to see more specialists. How has this issue not been properly diagnosed by now? Luck is only a generational quarterback. Also the Colts  have been far too vague with both the media and their fanbase about Luck’s recovery. UPDATE: The Colts announced that Luck has been placed on IR and will miss the remainder of the season.

Worst Cam Newton Postgame Outfit: Week 7

Sure, Bolivian secret policeman at the airport, I’ll follow you in to your secret room of potions.

Cam Newton dresses up after the Panthers played the Bears.
(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
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Melissa Jacobs