The Steelers and Titans are the only teams to not have played a fourth game because of the outbreak in positive coronavirus tests on Tennessee's side. Other than that, we've seen every team play their scheduled four games without much hiccup.
As we get set to start the second quarter of the NFL season, I am going to hand out first quarter awards based on what I've seen over the first four games.
MVP
- RUSSELL WILSON- It's hard not to look at he's done throughout the first four games and have him as a legit MVP candidate. He's completing a league best 75% of his passes with 16 touchdowns to just two interceptions and third in passing yards. Wilson doesn't just throw little dink and dunk passes either as he has one of the best deep balls in the game. The Seahawks poor defense can be attributed to the inflation of Wilson's stats as they don't play any defense and Wilson has to put giant numbers, but he's doing it and doing it well while leading the Seahawks to a 4-0 record. How he's never even received an MVP vote in his career is beyond me, but this year that will absolutely change. This is what happens when you let Russ cook.
OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
- JAMES ROBINSON- Yes, this award typically goes to the quarterback and while Joe Burrow has played exceptionally well that was to be expected. I'm giving this award to James Robinson because he's earned it. An undrafted free agent out of Illinois State, all Robinson has done is average nearly five yards per carry on a team that was expected to be one of the worst in every aspect of the game. He's in the top 10 in rushing yards and has more rushing touchdowns than everyone's favorite rookie running back in Clyde Edwards-Helaire. He's also shown the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield as he's caught 14 of his 15 targets and caught multiple passes in all but his first game of the season. While he only has 60 carries through four games, it's mainly because the team falls behind and have to throw the ball but he's making the most of his opportunity and proving the Jags don't need to spend a first-round pick on a running back.
COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR
- CAM NEWTON- He missed the team's last game because he tested positive for COVID-19 but prior to that, he's been nothing short of spectacular. Nobody thought that he and Bill Belichick would work and all it's done is work. Cam looks like his former MVP self while completing his passes at a career rate. The Patriots easily could be 3-0 in his starts if not for a stop at the goal-line against Seattle. We all thought he was done, we all thought his injuries were too much to overcome but all he's done is prove people wrong and it's been exciting to watch him play. He's also second on the team in rushing yards while leading the team in rushing touchdowns.
COACH OF THE YEAR
- SEAN MCDERMOTT- He has this team playing some of the best football we've seen Buffalo play in a long time. Josh Allen is completing over 70% of his passes and has a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 12:1. The Bills are 4-0 and have one of the top offenses in the league despite averaging less than 100 yards on the ground. While the offense is clicking and the addition of Stefon Diggs has been exceptional, the defense hasn't lived up to the billing which is a strong suit of McDermott's which is a knock on him but it's too hard not to buy into this Bills team right now. This team is a real threat in the AFC and it's thanks to the coaching.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
- ALVIN KAMARA- This seems pretty easy. He is reminding people of what made him so special and why he was worth signing that $75 million extension earlier this offseason. Outside of maybe Christian McCaffrey, he is the most complete back in the NFL. He leads the Saints in receiving and has more receiving yards than rushing yards. He also has seven total touchdowns already through four games. The Saints have relied heavily on the production of Kamara in the absence of Michael Thomas and he has not disappointed. You could make a case for Kamara to be comeback player of the year but he's more suited for offensive player of the year.
PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES