NFL Awards Predictions

With opening night right around the corner, it’s time for us to accurately predict who will be honored on the Thursday before the Super Bowl.

MVP: Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

The AFC North is notorious for being one of the toughest divisions in football year in and year out, but the Bengals have managed to win it in back-to-back seasons. This has largely been due to the play of former number-one overall pick and Heisman winner Joe Burrow.

Burrow has not only established himself as one of the league’s best quarterbacks, but he also possesses arguably the best offense of his career and is poised to put up massive numbers for Cincinnati this year. - Jakob Schnur

Offensive Player of the Year: Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets

The New York Jets are the team with the most buzz entering this NFL season and for good reason. The acquisition of future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers opens the door for many of the team's young weapons to break out.

Garrett Wilson will be the biggest benefactor of Rodgers’ arrival to the Big Apple. Wilson had a fantastic rookie season, taking home the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, and this was with spotty quarterback play. Now he has a chance to play with one of the all-time greats. - Ethan Bell

Defensive Player of the Year: T.J. Watt, OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers have high expectations as a team this season, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Their main centerpiece is outside linebacker T.J. Watt.

In 2021, Watt took home his first Defensive Player of the Year after tying the single-season sack record. If Watt stays healthy throughout the 2023 campaign, there is no question that he can break the all-time sack record and win his second Defensive Player of the Year award. - Ethan Bell

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts

The situation surrounding running back Jonathan Taylor has some doubting whether Anthony Richardson and the Indianapolis Colts will be able to find success this season. But with proven targets and a great offensive line, I believe Richardson’s natural talent will prevail.

The Colts drafted Richardson fourth overall and named him their starter shortly after their first preseason game. Richardson may not have looked stellar in his two preseason games, but his elite athleticism will make him stand out among the rest of this year’s rookie QB class. -Declan Stablow

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Houston Texans

Will Anderson Jr. was a monster at Alabama, totaling 37.5 sacks in three seasons with the Crimson Tide and becoming one of the best prospects we’ve seen in recent years.

New head coach DeMeco Ryans spent the last four years developing reigning Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa. After trading up to the third overall pick to draft Anderson, it appears he may have his next star edge rusher. - Declan Stablow

Coach of the Year: Sean Payton, Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos entered the 2022 season with playoff expectations but fell short as a combination of poor coaching, injuries and Russell Wilson led them to a 5-12 record.

The Broncos then traded a first-round draft pick for Sean Payton to come and fix this team. If the 59-year-old can lead the blue and orange to their first playoff berth since 2015, he’s a slam dunk to win Coach of the Year. - Ben Palillo

Jakob Schnur is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jks6463@psu.edu

Ethan Bell is a third-year majoring in public relations. To contact him, please email epb5391@psu.edu.

Declan Stablow is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email djs7159@psu.edu

Ben Palillo is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email bgp5079@psu.edu.