NFL MVP race matches ex-Alabama teammates Hurts, Tagovailoa November 11 Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa competed for the starting job at Alabama. Now theyre battling each other for the NFL's Most Valuable Player.In a season filled with surprises, predicting the NFL awards at the halfway point is challenging. Barring a tremendous comeback in the second half, Aaron Rodgers isnt going to three-peat as MVP.The Philadelphia Eagles (8-0) are the only undefeated team, so Hurts and coach Nick Sirianni deserve strong consideration for MVP and Coach of the Year, respectively.The Miami Dolphins (6-3) are 6-0 in games that Tagovailoa finishes and he leads the NFL in pa ser rating. His coincides with the arrival of Tyreek Hill a candidate for Offensive Player of the Year and also has a case for MVP.Heres are a look at leading contenders for The A sociated Pre s NFL awards at the midpoint of the season:MVPHurts and Tagovailoa are fresh names in a field that includes past winners Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson. Mahomes, the 2018 MVP, leads the league with 21 touchdown pa ses and B.J. Goodson Jersey is fourth in pa ser rating (103.6). His Kansas City Chiefs lead the AFC West at 6-2. Jackson, the 2019 MVP, has 16 TD pa ses, a 93.7 pa ser rating, 635 yards rushing and two scores. He has the Baltimore Ravens (6-3) leading the AFC North. Geno Smith also deserves consideration for his impre sive turnaround in Seattle, where the Seahawks are 6-3 and in first place in the NFC West. Smith is third behind Tagovailoa and Hurts with a 107.2 pa ser rating. Hill, who leads the league with 76 catches and 1,104 yards, has the Deandre Baker Jersey best odds among the non-quarterbacks. COACH OF THE YEARSirianni has to lead the field because the Eagles are unbeaten, but this will be a competitive race.Pete Carroll has the Seahawks third in the NFC in a season they were expected to rebuild after trading Ru sell Wilson. Two New York coaches who have their teams in the playoff mix could end up taking the award. Brian Daboll's New York Giants (6-2) are in position for their first playoff appearance since 2016. Robert Saleh has led the New York Jets to a 6-3 start despite not having quarterback Zach Wilson for the first three weeks. Minnesotas Kevin OConnell also has a real shot. Hes 7-1 in his first season with the Vikings. COMEBACK PLAYERItll be hard to top Smith. The 32-year-old QB has resurrected his career with his fourth team. Smith had started just five games in the previous six seasons before beating out Drew Lock for the starting job.Running backs Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley and Travis Etienne will challenge for the award if Smith falters in Antoine Bethea Jersey the second half.DEFENSIVE PLAYERT.J. Watt, the 2021 winner, has only played one game because of injury. Aaron Donald, who has won three times, isnt among the top 3.Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons leads the pack. New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon, who leads the NFL with 11 1/2 sacks, is a top contender. So is San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa. Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett belongs in the conversation. OFFENSIVE PLAYERCooper Kupp was the second wide receiver in three seasons to take home the award last season, but Minnesotas Justin Jefferson and Buffalos Stefon Diggs are ahead of Kupp at this point. The winner has been a non-quarterback the last three years but either Hurts or Jackson could snap that streak. If Josh Allens elbow doesnt send him to the sidelines, hes also a contender. Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb and Tenne see Titans RB Derrick Henry also have had excellent first halves.OFFENSIVE ROOKIESeahawks running back Kenneth Walker III is the frontrunner with Texans RB Dameon Pierce right behind.Walker has 570 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. Pierce leads all rookies with 678 yards rushing. Saints New York Giants Jersey WR Chris Olave leads all rookies with 43 catches and 618 yards receiving.Steelers QB Kenny Pickett needs to excel in the second half to have a shot.DEFENSIVE ROOKIESauce Gardner is a heavy favorite after an outstanding first half for the Jets cornerback. Seahawks CB Tariq Woolen and Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson are solidly in the top three of the race. ASSISTANT COACHThree a sistants on Siriannis staff could end up taking votes away from each other.Defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon and offensive coordinator Shane Steichen each lead the leagues third-ranked unit on both sides. Quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson has developed Hurts into an MVP candidate. San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans has the NFLs No. 1 defense and a strong shot to take the award. ___ Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter at robmaaddi___AP NFL: hub/nfl and AP_NFL in this topic National Football League Nick Chubb Travis Etienne Jr. Aaron Donald T.J. Watt Saquon Barkley Zach Wilson Myles Garrett Cooper Kupp Drew Lock Stefon Diggs Christian McCaffrey Matthew Judon Nick Bosa Ru sell Wilson Geno Smith Lamar Jackson Aaron Rodgers Tyreek Hill Derrick Henry Miami Dolphins San Kyle Lauletta Jersey Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks Cleveland Browns Philadelphia Eagles Spain or Morocco? 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