The Wladimir Klitschko Award for beating everybody but not really beating anybody
Winner: Kansas City Chiefs
OKAY, THE CHIEFS are a good football team — you have to be to reach 8-0 — but they’ve been blessed with such an easy schedule it’s very difficult to see them as genuine Super Bowl contenders. Their opponents’ combined record for the season is just 20-41 and the Dallas Cowboys (4-4) are the only team they’ve played without a losing record. With the second half of their season involving five divisional games, the Chiefs’ real tests are yet to come.
The Trent Dilfer Award for unlikely quarterback competence
I’m probably showing my Raiders bias here but Pryor has been incredibly exciting to watch and, with a legit defence starting to emerge behind him, Oakland would be genuine playoff contenders in almost any other division in football this year. With over 1,100 yards passing and nearly 400 rushing, Pryor is slowly making the case for himself as the franchise quarterback.
The Manchester United Award for being full of talent but really bad at football this year
Winner: Houston Texans
Injuries, like the one suffered by Brian Cushing, haven’t helped but the Texans were legitimate Super Bowl contenders before the season started and yet, despite players like JJ Watt, Arian Foster and Andre Johnson, they sit third in the AFC South with a 2-5 record. Indeed, the only ray of hope for the Texans is that they still have to play the Jaguars twice.
The Calvin Johnson Award for being Calvin Johnson
GIF: CJZERO
Winner: Calvin Johnson
I’d still argue he’s not as good as Jerry Rice but Calvin Johnson makes the Detroit Lions likeable and, when he makes ridiculous catches like the one above, you just have to stand up and applaud; after picking your jaw up off the floor of course.
The Timmy McCarthy award for over-the-top yet still brilliant commentary
YouTube: ICEDJM
Winner: Bob Socci and Scott Zolak
When the Patriots beat the Saints with a last minute touchdown drive, the 98.5 local announcers lost their minds. Unicorns! Show ponies! Where’s the beef?
The Chris Ashton Award for I’d punch you in the face if you celebrated like that against me
GIF: CJZERO
Winner: Golden Tate
The best part of this touchdown is that it was called back for an offensive foul so Golden Tate looked very silly indeed. Moral of the story, don’t show-boat kids.
The Cam Cameron Award for having an elite running back but trusting a rubbish quarterback instead
Winner: Bill Musgrave
In the three games before the Minnesota Vikings bye week, Adrian Peterson carried the ball 74 times for 328 yards and three touchdowns. In the three games since, despite the Vikings starting a different quarterback in each game, he has 36 carries for 150 yards and one touchdown. Great gameplan there Vikes.
The AFC West Award for being the worst division in football
YouTube: Adamiec David
Winner: NFC East
When a team can start the season with six straight losses, make little children cry and still be in the hunt for a playoff spot, you’re doing something wrong. Must try harder.
