NFL Third-Quarter Awards

This NFL season is running away quicker than a Chris Johnson touchdown.

Seems like only yesterday Pittsburgh and Tennessee were kicking off the year in a 13-10 OT thriller. It couldn't have really been three months ago that Green Bay and Chicago looked absolutely clueless on the first Sunday night game.

It's true, the NFL is at the three-quarter pole, and the playoffs are just around the corner. Here at Bleacher Report (and over at CBSSports) the crew is getting a jump on the awards game, and handing out some hardware.

Offensive Rookie of the Year—Percy Harvin

Unless you're in New York, this shouldn't even be a discussion.

Percy Harvin leads the NFL in rookie receptions (48), receiving yards (681), receiving touchdowns (six), receiving first downs (37), and catches over 20 yards (12).

Oh, and by the way...he returns kicks too—at a 29-yard per attempt clip. His two returning touchdowns brings his total to eight, also leading all rookies.

Honorable Mentions: Hakeem Nicks, Johnny Knox, Knowshon Moreno, Austin Collie

Defensive Rookie of the Year—Brian Cushing

Again, sincerest apologies to the state of New York.

Statistically, Jairus Byrd wins this fight every time. His eight interceptions are great for a rookie, and he deserves mention.

Realistically, Brian Cushing is the only option.

102 tackles is fifth among all NFL defensemen and leads all rookies. His five total turnovers forced (three interceptions and two fumbles) is second only to Byrd.

He is also second among rookies with 1.5 sacks, and is one of only two rookies to have recorded a safety.

Statistically, it is easy to say Byrd, but not many NFL defensemen—rookie or veteran—have been as disruptive as Brian Cushing.

Honorable Mentions: Jairus Byrd, Louis Delmas, Jacob Lacey, James Laurinaitis, Vontae Davis

Comeback Player of the Year—Cedric Benson

There could be three candidates for this award, Tom Brady, Brett Favre and Benson, who had this award locked up at the halfway point.

When Bernard Scott and Larry Johnson got the carries in back-to-back weeks while Benson was out of commission, pundits started to wonder if C.B. was really doing as much work as everyone thought.

However, the comparison between he and the other possibilities make this an easy award to hand to the former Chicago Bear.

Tom Brady had the most difficult comeback of the three, having a horrific injury last season. However, Brady's Patriots are only 7-5 compared to Cincinnati's 9-3.

Brett Favre has the best record at 10-2, but didn't "comeback" from anything, except his umpteenth retirement. The level of talent around him is also superior to the other two candidates.

Much of what Cedric Benson struggled with in seasons past was mostly of his own doing. But with his demons seemingly behind him, he has overcome as much as anyone, and is still a top rusher despite missing action.

Coach of the Year—Jim Caldwell

In the end, he's simply done more, with less.

Sean Peyton deserves serious props for taking a pay cut to bring in Gregg Williams, and Brad Childress get's some credit for personally shopping for Brett Favre and Percy Harvin.

But, Jim Caldwell is guiding his team through some pretty rough waters. Yes, he has Peyton Manning to help him, but Peyton doesn't look over the defense when injuries happen. Peyton doesn't deal with the team-wide pressure of being undefeated.

Honorable Mention: Norv Turner

Offensive Player of the Year—Chris Johnson

With all due respect to Brett Favre, Drew Brees, and Peyton Manning—this is Chris Johnson's award.

Anytime your name is mentioned with Eric Dickerson, you deserve some hardware, and Johnson still has a chance to near, or even break Dickerson's record.

Johnson is going on seven-straight games with over 100 yards rushing, and has four games this year of over 150.

Kerry Collins is actually the only NFL player able to hold him down. Johnson's worst performances were in games Collins started, and threw multiple interceptions.

Simply put, Chris Johnson is the single-best offensive player in the league.

Honorable Mentions: Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Phillip Rivers

Defensive Player of the Year—Charles Woodson

This award also has a lot of competition.

Thankfully for Chuck, he's used to dominating most competition.

Woodson is one of the last vestiges of the "shutdown corner"—long an endangered species. The Green Bay Packers have one of the top pass defenses in the league—mostly in thanks to Woodson.

His seven interceptions are tied for second in the league, as are his two interception returns for touchdowns. He also has four forced fumbles, and one recovered fumble.

He is tied for seventh with 18 pass deflections, and is the only person on that list with the ability to pressure the QB in more ways than one—he has two sacks as well.

Honorable Mentions: Darren Sharper, Jared Allen, Curtis Lofton, Elvis Dumervil

Most Valuble Player—Peyton Manning

The same case that is made for Caldwell earlier is made for Peyton Manning now.

Brett Favre and Drew Brees have more help than Manning and Manning is doing just as much, if not more. His 307 yards/game leads the league, and his 25 touchdowns are tied for third.

The most impressive stat is 10 sacks. Normally 10 sacks mean that an offensive line is performing up to snuff—not the case in Indianapolis. Peyton Manning has evaded every single pass rusher that Charlie Johnson and Tony Ugoh have let through.

Oh yeah...the Colts are 12-0

Michael Schottey is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and the producer and host of The Average Joe Sports Show on 860AM KNUJ (New Ulm, MN). He is also an NFL Analyst and Senior Writer for DraftTek.com.