NFL Awards 2020: MVP, Offensive and Defensive POY, Rookies, Coach, and Comeback Player
In 2019 everyone assumed the Dolphins were “Tanking for Tua” as they gutted the roster. The little known former New England defensive assistant, Flores, was handed the definition of a rebuilding project. Last season, they ended up 5-11 and played unexpectedly competitive. The irony of it all is they ended up drafting Tua as he fell in the draft due to injury concerns.
Flores has guided Miami to a 6-3 record and 2nd in the AFC East this season. Few could have predicted this success, even with a Tom Brady-less Patriots team and the Jets in their division. Flores’ defensive unit has made tremendous strides. They sit fifth overall in the NFL, surrendering only 20.2 points per game. On top of that, Flores made a gutsy mid-season decision to bench QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and start the rookie Tua Tagovailoa. The team responded with wins versus the Rams, Cardinals, and Chargers.
In the Running:
Mike Tomlin- Pittsburgh Steelers
Much like the Comeback player award, this selection was difficult. The Steelers are the only undefeated team left, and Tomlin should have won last year. Guiding a franchise with two below-average quarterbacks to an 8-8 record was maybe his best coaching feat. The reason I put Flores ahead is the expectations for both teams. If before the season, someone told me the Steelers would have Big Ben for all nine games and would be 9-0, I wouldn’t have been overly shocked. Conversely, many never thought the Dolphins would be 6-3, including myself.
Kliff Kingsbury- Arizona Cardinals
Kingsbury seems underappreciated for his revitalization of the Cardinals franchise. Before his arrival, the Cardinals were 3-13 with potential draft bust Josh Rosen at QB. Selecting Kingsbury as the head coach was questioned due to his lack of success at the college level. After shipping Rosen to Miami and drafting Kyler Murray, Kingsbury went 5-11 last season. The Cardinals then added DeAndre Hopkins the past offseason. Currently, the team sits at 6-3 and on top of the NFC West division.