Mid-season NFL awards

Comeback Player of the Year:

J.J. Watt

When I did my season predictions before the opening game, I said that there would be multiple candidates with huge names, but none would be more apparent than a three-time Defensive Player of the Year who had played just eight games over the last two years. J.J. Watt is back. The Texans defensive lineman started the year a little slow for his standards, but when you consider what he has gone through to get back to his usual self since first going under the knife it is all the more fulfilling to see one of the game’s biggest stars return to form.

Despite limited numbers in the first two games of the season, Watt is now tied for second in sacks with eight and first with four fumbles forced. He is also top five in quarterback hits and tackles for loss. With that being said, his impact goes far beyond numbers. All you have to do is compare games. First watch the season-opener versus New England, when he wasn’t even up to speed but Belichick has never allowed Watt to wreck the game and always has given him extra attention. The few times he did face single-blocking he was in Brady’s face.

Then you look at the Giants game when the Big Blue decided they would leave Watt one-on-one with former undrafted free agent Chad Wheeler and Houston’s defensive end made that guy look like he wasn’t even an NFL player. So what do I mean when I see J.J. is back? The quickness of the line is back, as he can go backdoor against running plays and create negative yardage as well as beat tackles off the snap and get the edge immediately as a pass-rusher. His power is back to ride offensive linemen back into the quarterback’s lap. And the motor is back to keep working and make an impact when other guys would already think about the next play.

Also considered: Andrew Luck, Adrian Peterson, Odell Beckham Jr.