NFL: Quarter season awards

As the first month of the NFL season wraps up, the frontrunners for the league’s top awards are beginning to emerge.

Coach of the Year: Kevin O'Connell

Kevin O'Connell has transformed the Minnesota Vikings into one of the most efficient teams in the NFL. After helping the Rams win Super Bowl LVI as offensive coordinator, he has since carried his schematic and play-calling philosophies to the Vikings, and they have more than reaped the benefits.

The Vikings' offense leads the league in passing touchdowns, with potential comeback player of the year Sam Darnold pacing the NFL at 11 under O’Connell’s leadership. He also brought in defensive coordinator Brian Flores who has helped propel Minnesota into a top-five scoring defense in the league.

O’Connell is the clear-cut favorite for coach of the year after September, as he has his team sitting at a perfect 4-0, with wins over three 2023 playoff teams, and the team that eliminated them in the 2022 postseason.

MVP: Josh Allen

Josh Allen and the Bills are off to one of the best starts of his career, showcasing an offense firing on all cylinders. Allen ranks second in the league in passer rating, and Buffalo has scored the third most points in the NFL, despite dropping last week’s Sunday Night Football matchup 35-10 to the Ravens.

Even without the presence of former All-Pro receiver Stefon Diggs, Allen is arguably playing at an even higher level than in previous seasons. He’s spreading the ball more evenly across his offensive weapons, embracing a team-oriented, run-first philosophy that still takes full advantage of his mobility and arm strength.

This balanced approach has kept defenses on their heels, knowing Allen can strike through the air or on the ground, making him a matchup nightmare. For that reason, he is September’s MVP, and he’s done it without the help of Stefon Diggs.

Offensive Player of the Year: Saquon Barkley

Saquon Barkley has been outstanding for the Eagles, putting together a month that decisively has him as the top contender for Offensive Player of the Year. His combination of speed, power, and vision has been the key factor in the Eagles' minimal offensive success.

Barkley has been a powerhouse for Philadelphia, amassing over 500 yards and scoring five touchdowns through the first four games. His 120+ all-purpose yards per game is good for third-most in the league. And his ability to break off long runs, including a 70-yard run in Week 3, has again proven him a constant threat to opposing defenses.

With Jalen Hurts struggling and a receiving corps riddled with injuries, Saquon Barkley has been the lone bright spot in an otherwise lackluster offense, solidifying himself as the league’s top individual offensive player heading into October.

Defensive Player of the Year: Aiden Hutchinson

Aiden Hutchinson has ascended as a dominant force not only leading the Detroit Lions' defense but making his presence felt across the entire NFL. With a league-leading 23 pressures and 6.5 sacks early in the season, Hutchinson has become a game-wrecker, frequently disrupting opposing offenses.

Hutchinson has driven the Lions to a top-five rushing defense and a top-10 scoring unit, thanks to his relentless motor and ability to impact both the run and pass game. His inability to be blocked one-on-one has firmly placed him in the top spot for Defensive Player of the Year.

With three months to go in the regular season, the journey ahead promises to be as exhilarating as the opening chapters. It remains to be seen whether the coming weeks will echo the same success as the first handful.

Joseph Granton is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email jlg6619@psu.edu.