We have reached the halfway point of the NFL season and it’s time to hand out some midseason awards for Detroit, Minnesota, Green Bay and Chicago. The division remains the best in football as the only one with all four teams boasting a .500 record or better.
DETROIT
Record: 7-1
MVP: QB Jared Goff
Goff is on some kind of heater as he’s led the Lions to six straight wins and first place atop the division and the NFC conference. He’s No. 1 in the NFL in completion percentage (74.9) and second behind only Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson (120.7) with a 115.0 passer rating.
Defensive player: S Kerby Joseph
Joseph is having a monster year in his third season. He’s tied with Green Bay’s Xavier McKinney with six interceptions, but Joseph has returned one of those for a touchdown, a huge play at the end of the first half in Detroit’s 24-14 win over Green Bay last Sunday.
Most improved: LB Jack Campbell
He recorded his second double-digit tackle game Sunday in Green Bay and has been really playing the MIKE linebacker role at high level. Campbell leads the team with 62 tackles after eight games.
Rookie: CB Terrion Arnold
Arnold has stepped in as a starter from Day 1 and looked the part. He’s settled into the role nicely at the midway point and plays a physical brand of football in the run game that fits this defense.
MINNESOTA
Record: 6-2
MVP: WR Justin Jefferson
Jefferson leads the NFL with 783 receiving yards and has five touchdowns despite the fact that his 69 targets rank just ninth most. He’s averaging 16.3 yards per reception.
Defensive player: LB Jonathan Greenard
Greenard leads the Vikings with 7.0 sacks and 12 quarterback hits, and his seven tackles for loss are second most. He’s a big part of why the Vikings’ defense is much improved.
Most improved: QB Sam Darnold
It’s amazing what the right system and supporting cast can for do for a seven-year player like Darnold. He’s completing 69.5 percent of his passes for 1,900 yards with 17 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 107.8 passer rating.
Rookie: K Will Reichard
Prior to his recent injury, the sixth-round pick out of Alabama had been pretty steady for the Vikings, making 14-of-16 field goal attempts and all 23 of his extra point tries.
GREEN BAY
Record: 6-3
MVP: RB Josh Jacobs
He’s been a terrific free-agent addition as he’s currently third in the NFL in rushing yards (762), behind only Saquon Barkley (925) and Derrick Henry (1,052).
Defensive player: S Xavier McKinney
McKinney is tied with Joseph for the league lead in interceptions with six and is one of the best ball hawks in the league, playing the deep part of the field.
Most improved: WR Jayden Reed
Reed is just 173 yards away from his receiving total from last year (16 games) in nine games so far this year. He’s quickly becoming quarterback Jordan Love’s favorite target.
Rookie: LB Edgerrin Cooper
The second-round pick out of Texas A&M has been an early playmaker for the Packers’ defense. He has 44 tackles (26 solo) with five tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and two passes defended.
CHICAGO
Record: 4-4
MVP: QB Caleb Williams
The statistics don’t jump off the page with Williams but quarterbacks and head coaches are ultimately evaluated on wins and losses, and the No. 1 pick has the Bears at 4-4 to start. Williams is completing better than 60 percent of his passes (61.4) and has a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 9-to-5, which isn’t bad for a rookie.
Defensive player: CB Jaylon Johnson
Johnson’s two interceptions lead the Bears and he continues to be a lockdown corner. Opponents have a 53.8 completion percentage and 41.3 passer rating when throwing his way.
Most improved: DT Gervon Dexter
Dexter (6-6, 312) has become a nice young player for the Bears in his second season. He has 4.0 sacks, 12 quarterback hits and 24 tackles in eight games from the interior. He had 2.5 sacks and 20 tackles in 17 games as a rookie last year.
Rookie: WR Rome Odunze
To avoid using Williams twice, Odunze is having a nice first season, leading the Bears in receptions (25) and receiving yards (391).
