Bleacher Report's Week 14 NFL Awards

We're into the final month of the 2014 NFL season, and some truths are becoming evident.

For instance, it's a pretty safe bet that DeMarco Murray of the Dallas Cowboys is going to win the NFL's rushing title. With 1,606 rushing yards, Murray has more than 350 more yards on the ground than the next-closest back.

It's also becoming evident that San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick won't be earning any contract incentives based on playoff appearances or Pro Bowl nods. Kaepernick was awful in a Week 14 loss to the Oakland Raiders, and the fourth-year pro still hasn't thrown a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter this year.

As we bid adieu to another week of NFL action, the Division Lead and National Lead Writers here at Bleacher Report gathered to offer their takes on the best (and worst) of the week that was.

Here's what they had to say.

Team of the Week

Evan Habeeb/Getty Images

Winner: Seattle Seahawks (12 votes)

Don't look now, folks, but the Seattle Seahawks are back. If, that is, they ever left. After a Week 11 loss at Kansas City, the Seahawks' chances of repeating as both NFC West and Super Bowl champions were all but written off in many circles.

Since then, the Seahawks have rattled off three wins in a row, including a 24-14 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on the road Sunday. All three teams the Seahawks beat during that span won double-digit games in 2013, and the Seattle defense allowed only 20 total points over that stretch.

As Judy Battista of NFL.com wrote, to say that the Seattle defense was firing on all cylinders would be an understatement:

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The numbers are startling. The Eagles' point total was their lowest this season. The 139 yards gained were the fewest by any team -- ever -- that had Chip Kelly as its head coach, including his teams at Oregon. The closest a Kelly-coached group had come to producing this poorly previously was when the Ducks fell to Boise State, 19-8, in September 2009 -- in the very first game of Kelly's head-coaching career.

"

However, cornerback Richard Sherman cautioned that there's still work to be done defensively. "We've still got things to clean up," Sherman said. "We can't give up those scores in the red zone. In terms of energy and passion, though, it's definitely back."

The energy's back, the Seahawks are back and the heartburn those facts give the rest of the NFC are back.

Maybe Sherman should start pitching Tums. Just a suggestion.

Others receiving votes: St. Louis Rams (2 votes), Pittsburgh Steelers (1 vote)

Coach of the Week

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

Winner: Pete Carroll, HC, Seattle Seahawks (10 votes)

One of our panelists went the coordinator route with his vote for Coach of the Week in Week 14. That voter was NFL National Lead Writer Mike Tanier, who singled out Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Todd Haley after the Steelers' big AFC North win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

"

There is a striking contrast between what Todd Haley did for the Steelers this week and what Greg Roman did against the Raiders. Haley saw a downhill running play that worked against the Bengals and just stuck with it. It's primitive but effective football logic: If they did not stop the play the first two times you run it, why not keep running it until they stop it?

Roman found a similar Frank Gore off-tackle run that worked for the 49ers: Gore ran it twice in one drive, hammering out substantial gains each time. But the 49ers then switched to spread-formation tactics in the red zone, and the off-tackle Gore run disappeared for the rest of the game, even though the 49ers really didn't have to abandon the run until late. Just because a playbook has 200 formations and 500 wrinkles doesn't mean they all have to be used. The 49ers should have ran the ball down the Raiders esophagus all afternoon but outsmarted themselves. Haley kept it simple—which is sometimes a problem for him—but it worked.

And don't even get me started on that Dolphins game plan...

"

However, the vast majority of our experts sided with Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks, who has done a fine job of rallying his troops over the past several weeks.

Of course, while speaking with Clare Farnsworth of the team's website, Carroll deflected praise for his team's hot play of late:

"

We play our football. We have not changed for the last few years about how we do it. That’s one aspect of it. But it’s the guys playing it, and playing it with the intensity and the energy that they’re playing, that makes it work. It’s not just the scheme, at all.

"

It makes sense that the Seahawks haven't changed how they do what they do.

After all, if it ain't broke, why fix it?

Others receiving votes: Ron Rivera, HC, Carolina Panthers (4 votes); Todd Haley, OC, Pittsburgh Steelers (1 vote)

Goat of the Week

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

"Winner:" Jim Harbaugh, HC, San Francisco 49ers (12 votes)

It appears that the men in charge drew most of the puzzled looks from our panel in Week 14. The vote for Goat of the Week was dominated by head coaches.

In the opinion of AFC East Lead Writer Erik Frenz, it's Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin who deserves to be fitted for a dunce cap:

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Not only did the Dolphins fail to generate any pressure on Joe Flacco; they also completely abandoned the run despite taking an early 10-0 lead. Ryan Tannehill continues to not throw any passes deeper than 20 yards downfield, with only 12 attempts in the past six games and only one on Sunday. The defense continues to not create enough pressure on quarterbacks, and the coaches aren't turning up the heat despite generating only six sacks in their past four games. The Dolphins are scratching and clawing for a playoff spot, but their coaching staff could be the ones that hold them back.

"

However, the leading vote-getter this week was a coach who was once the toast of the NFL.

That seems like a million years ago, however. Now, Jim Harbaugh of the San Francisco 49ers looks like a coach who has resigned himself to the inevitable.

Sunday's listless 24-13 loss to a one-win Oakland team did nothing for Harbaugh's job security, but Harbaugh told Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times that he isn't interested in discussing his future with the 49ers.

"I don't worry about my future," Harbaugh said. "I haven't participated in any of that speculation. I think I have a recessive gene for worrying about my own future."

Of course, he may not want to talk about it because Harbaugh knows just as well as we do that he doesn't have a future in San Francisco.

Others receiving votes: Joe Philbin, HC, Miami Dolphins (2 votes); Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco 49ers (1 vote)

Rookie of the Week

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Winner: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Minnesota Vikings (8 votes)

Teddy Bridgewater may not have begun the 2014 season as the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, but since an injury to Matt Cassel thrust Bridgewater into the starting lineup, the former Louisville star has wasted no time making his stamp on the team.

In fact, after Bridgewater threw for 309 yards and two scores in a 30-24 overtime win over the New York Jets, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer told Andrew Krammer of 1500ESPN.com there's little question who Minnesota's offensive leader is:

"

I think when Teddy decides to be the leader of the football team, because right now he's still feeling his way a little bit and his personality is just do what you do and do what you have to do. This franchise is Teddy's. I know that was a good headline for you. That's what he needs to do, he needs to take it over. This is his team now.

"

Yes, there have been bumps in the road, and the Vikings aren't a playoff contender. However, the Vikings have already exceeded most expectations for 2014, and a large part of the credit for that rests with their young signal-caller.

Others receiving votes: Derek Carr, QB, Oakland Raiders (4 votes); Andre Williams, RB, New York Giants (3 votes)

Best QB Performance

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Winner: Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (11 votes)

It hasn't been a good year for quarterback Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers. Newton began the season by missing the first game of his career and was clearly hampered by ankle and rib injuries.

Were it not for the fact that Carolina plays in the dismal NFC South, the 4-8-1 Panthers would be playing for nothing but pride.

Still, it would be remiss of us not to offer credit where it's due, and in Week 14, Newton looked like the Pro Bowler who led the Panthers to a division title a year ago.

Newton had his way in a blowout win over the New Orleans Saints, throwing for three touchdowns and running for another while posting a passer rating of over 100 for the first time since Week 2.

After a six-game losing streak, Newton told reporters that if felt good to get back on track, although he cautioned that one win isn't going to turn things around.

"Victory is always a sweet feeling, but we can't be complacent about this," he said. "We were doing the things that we are supposed to do."

That's true. And Newton may turn back into Clark Kent when he next returns to the field, but there's no guarantee that will happen in Week 15. He was injured in a car accident Tuesday, suffering two transverse process fractures in his lower back, casting his availability for Sunday in doubt, per Joseph Person of The Charlotte Observer.

Still, Newton's Week 14 performance had to have been an encouraging sign for Panthers fans longing for him to spring back into form to finish out the 2014 season. 

Others receiving votes: Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (2 votes); Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (1 vote); Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders (1 vote)

Best RB Performance

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Winner: Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers (15 votes)

Ask not for whom the bell tolls. It tolls for Le'Veon.

It's been lost somewhat in DeMarco Murray's assault on 2,000 rushing yards, but Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell is having a phenomenal second season in the NFL.

Bell gashed the Cincinnati Bengals with 185 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries in a Week 14 win, adding 50 receiving yards and another score on six catches.

Bell's big game also marked the third straight game that Bell has eclipsed 200 total yards, the first time a back has accomplished that feat since Walter Payton over three decades ago.

Bell told Kevin Kaduk of Yahoo Sports it was an honor to be mentioned in the same breath as a player who many consider the best to ever tote the rock.

"It's an honor to be mentioned with a guy like Walter Payton," said Bell. "I've heard a lot about him. Obviously I haven't seen a full game of how he runs, things like that, but I've seen a lot of highlights."

Mind you, it's a tad premature to start clearing space for Bell's bust in Canton, but one thing's for sure: The growth that Bell has shown as a ball-carrier, receiver and blocker in Year 2 has been as remarkable as it's been impressive.

Best WR Performance

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Winner: T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts (8 votes)

2014 has been a coming-out party of sorts for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton.

The 25-year-old was certainly partying Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. The third-year pro reeled in 10 catches for 150 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including the game-winner.

As Tyler Brooke of Bleacher Report wrote, given how Hilton has played this year, it was just another day at the office:

"

This season has been an especially impressive one for Hilton. Through 13 games, he currently ranks second in the NFL in receiving yards (1,295), eighth in receptions (78) and tied with Emmanuel Sanders for second with catches of at least 20 yards (20).

After another huge performance, it looks like Hilton should be on his way to his first Pro Bowl, and the advanced statistics back that up. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) has Hilton as the third-highest-graded receiver in the league behind just Antonio Brown and Demaryius Thomas. Meanwhile, Football Outsiders has Hilton as the sixth-best receiver in terms of defense-adjusted yards above replacement, or DYAR.

"

It was also a showing that got Hilton the nod from our experts as the NFL's top wide receiver of Week 14.

Others receiving votes: Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons (4 votes); A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals (3 votes)

Best TE Performance

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Winner: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (8 votes)

When it comes to tight ends in the NFL, Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots and Jimmy Graham of the New Orleans Saints get all the love. If there's any left over, Julius Thomas of the Denver Broncos catches it, usually in the end zone.

Well, the little guy's getting some run this week, by golly!

Granted, at 6'5" and 260 pounds, Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs isn't really a little guy. And unfortunately, the play from Kelce that everyone will remember in Week 14 is the late fumble that cost the Chiefs their game with the Arizona Cardinals.

Of course, as Eric Edholm of Yahoo Sports noted, there's still more than a little argument over whether Kelce fumbled at all:

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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce caught a pass and ran 19 yards to the Arizona 22-yard line, appearing to convert a huge third down in a game the Cardinals were leading by three points with just over five minutes remaining.

But Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians challenged that Kelce started to fumble the ball as he was being tackled by Cardinals safety Deone Bucannon. After a lengthy review — and some doubt about when the ball came loose — the refs agreed with Arians and awarded the ball to the Cardinals.

The Cardinals then sucked more than four minutes off the clock, and though they missed a 34-yard field goal, the Cardinals held on and beat the Chiefs.

Back to the fumble. You can see it start to move before Kelce is down, but the ball also appeared to be in his hands with his back on the ground. (But did he control it?) Kelce got up after the play, and Cardinals safety Justin Bethel recovered the ball.

"

Fumble or no, one gaffe doesn't completely erase Kelce's seven-catch, 110-yard effort against the Redbirds, and the second-year pro continues to emerge as a reliable pass-catcher for a Chiefs team desperate for reliable pass-catchers.

Others receiving votes: Mychal Rivera, Oakland Raiders (4 votes); Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots (3 votes)

Best Defensive Performance

Patric Schneider/Associated Press

Winner: J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans (11 votes)

What can you really say about Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt that hasn't already been said?

The 25-year-old was at it again in Houston's Week 14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, racking up three more sacks. Watt now leads all defensive linemen in that category.

As Peter King of The MMQB wrote, another huge game from Watt did nothing to hurt his candidacy for the NFL's highest individual honor:

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Now to raise the ire of fandoms from New England to Green Bay, and then deep in the heart of Texas: Who deserves this year’s MVP?

“If all positions were created equal, J.J. Watt’s the best player in football by a mile, and it isn’t close,” said Neil Hornsby, the founder of Pro Football Focus, which judges every player on every snap.

Aaron Schatz, the president of the long-running football analytics group Football Outsiders, agreed: “Watt is by far the best player as his position compared to the average of his position.”

In many ways, Watt’s season is historic. He has scored five touchdowns, the first defensive lineman to have that many since 1944. Three have come as a tight end moonlighting on offense, one of them a diving circus catch. Against Buffalo in September he hit quarterback E.J. Manuel nine times and returned a nifty interception 80 yards for a touchdown. And on and on.

"

Watt may be hard-pressed to beat out the likes of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers for MVP, but the fourth-year pro had little problem winning the title of Week 14's top defender from our voters.

Others receiving votes: Darrelle Revis, CB, New England Patriots (3 votes); Mychal Kendricks, ILB, Philadelphia Eagles (1 vote)

Best Decision

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

Winner: Teddy Bridgewater's overtime audible (4 votes)

As noted earlier, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater went over 300 passing yards in Sunday's win over the New York Jets.

However, Bridgewater's last play of the game was by far his best.

Bridgewater hit wide receiver Jarius Wright with a wide receiver screen early in overtime that Wright turned into an 87-yard, game-sealing catch-and-run.

The best part? As Brian Hall of Fox Sports North pointed out, Bridgewater made the call on the fly:

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On third-and-5 -- after New York punted on the opening possession of overtime - Bridgewater was in the shotgun and used a silent count. Bridgewater saw New York ready to blitz and checked out of a play before the snap.

Minnesota had a built-in check for its rookie quarterback and Bridgewater used the opportunity to get Wright the ball on the outside. The Jets indeed brought pressure with seven defenders and Bridgewater's pass went out quick to Wright who jumped to snag the pass and had open field in front of him.

"

And so grows the legend of Teddy B.

Others receiving votes: Carolina Panthers using more zone-read looks (2 votes), Seattle Seahawks' defensive game plan (2 votes), Pittsburgh Steelers' run-heavy offense (2 votes), Steelers' deep shot to Martavis Bryant (1 vote), Baltimore Ravens getting back to the running game in the second half (1 vote), New England Patriots' defensive game plan (1 vote), Indianapolis Colts sticking with Dan Herron late (1 vote), Arizona Cardinals continuing to establish the run despite injuries (1 vote)

Worst Decision

David Richard/Associated Press

"Winner:" Sticking with Brian Hoyer (5 votes)

In addition to my job as an NFL analyst here at Bleacher Report, I also happen to be a lifelong Cleveland Browns fan, and I'm letting that part of me out of the cage for a minute.

Mike Pettine cost the Browns any shot at a playoff spot in 2014 with his stubborn refusal to bench Brian Hoyer against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 14.

There, I said it.

Granted, we don't know if Johnny Manziel would have led the Browns to victory. We don't even know if he can play quarterback in the NFL.

What we do know is that for the last month, Hoyer has been God-awful. He was God-awful again against the Colts, failing to find the end zone (again) while throwing multiple interceptions (again).

The defense scored more points than the Hoyer-led offense.

The Browns had a golden chance to upset the Colts, stay in the AFC playoff race and send a message along the way that the team is a pushover no more.

Instead, Pettine and Hoyer choked on that chance, and it's business as usual in Cleveland.

Others receiving votes: Chargers' punt on 4th-and-4 down nine with six minutes left (4 votes), Kansas City Chiefs' play-calling on final drive (2 votes), covering Rob Gronkowski in the end zone with a cornerback (1 vote), Bill Leavy's flag on Brandon Browner (1 vote), San Francisco 49ers' offensive game plan (1 vote), Miami Dolphins abandoning the run (1 vote)

Player of the Week

John Grieshop/Getty Images

Winner: Le'Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers (11 votes)

I've already gone over Bell's huge game against the Cincinnati Bengals, as well as his recent three-game tear.

However, as Tristan Cockcroft of ESPN.com wrote, Bell's outburst hasn't just gotten the Steelers back into the thick of the AFC North race.

It's also helped innumerable fantasy football teams make the playoffs:

"

We are witnessing a magical transformation, from Le'Veon Bell, consistency king, to Le'Veon Bell, winner of fantasy league championships.

By mid-November 2014, during Bell's seventh month as an NFL player, the second-year running back had been widely described as neither a "workhorse" nor a "big-play back"; from Week 4 of 2013 (his NFL debut) through Week 10 of 2014, he had averaged 17.7 rushing attempts per game and 4.0 yards per carry, a number exceeded by 27 qualified running backs during that span.

What Bell had done up to that point was serve as one of the most consistently reliable fantasy running backs, even if his weekly numbers weren't necessarily the type that carried your team. Through Week 10, he had a career Consistency Rating of 0.383; that was the best number by any running back since the start of 2012. His 76.9 percent rate of team games that resulted in his having been "start-worthy" (top-25 weekly score among running backs) -- and remember that he missed three Pittsburgh Steelers games to begin his NFL career, which counts against that number -- ranked second only to LeSean McCoy (80.5 percent).

Then Bell scored 27 fantasy points in Week 11, setting a new personal best. Then, after a restful bye week, he scored 30 fantasy points to set another personal best. Then on Sunday, he scored a whopping 41 fantasy points, crushing his previous high of just a week earlier.

What's more, Bell totaled 80 rushing attempts, 24 targets and 16 receptions during that three-game span, and he averaged 6.1 yards per carry. The result: a three-game fantasy point total of 98, which ranks him 22nd at any position (since 1960).

"

Cue Bell's fantasy owners (and Steelers fans) nodding enthusiastically.

Others receiving votes: J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans (2 votes); T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts (1 vote); Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons (1 vote)