NFL Honors 2015: TV Schedule, Live Stream Coverage, Final Predictions

As the appetizer to the Super Bowl, the 2015 NFL Honors might be more difficult to figure out than the big game itself.

Go ahead, name the MVP. A superb year from a quarterback, or one of the most dominant defensive performances of all time on a bad team? The Aaron Rodgers-J.J. Watt debate will receive a conclusion, with no real wrong answer.

What about Offensive Rookie of the Year? A couple of elite receivers on bad teams—Odell Beckham Jr. and Mike Evans—or a great running back by the name of Jeremy Hill on a postseason squad?

The defense is tough, too. Khalil Mack put together a magical campaign on a horrific unit in Oakland, while Aaron Donald in St. Louis dominated in the middle like few pros truly can.

Going down the list, all candidates deserve some hardware. For observers, the broadcast is a way to close the door on the 2014 season before the top two teams dance.

When: Saturday, Jan. 31

Time: 9 p.m. ET

TV: NBC

Live Stream: NBA Sports Live Extra

Host: Seth Myers

NFL Honors Award Predictions

Award	Prediction
Most Valuable Player	J.J. Watt (HOU)
Coach of the Year	Bruce Arians (ARI)
Offensive Player of the Year	Aaron Rodgers (GB)
Defensive Player of the Year	J.J. Watt (HOU)
Offensive Rookie of the Year	Odell Beckham Jr. (NYG)
Defensive Rookie of the Year	Khalil Mack (OAK)
Comeback Player of the Year	Rob Gronkowski (NE)

A full list of the awards is at NFL.com.

Toughest Calls

Coach of the Year

Mike McCarn/Associated Press

For some, this is automatic.

A popular name is Jason Garrett, he of much controversy as the head of the Dallas Cowboys and the handpicked golden boy of owner Jerry Jones. Garrett delivered, but better names exist.

How about Bill O'Brien in Houston? Many were quick to scoff at the first-year coach for his decision to pass on a quarterback at No. 1 overall in last year's draft. His No. 1 overall pick, Jadeveon Clowney, appeared in four games.

Yet the Texans posted a seven-win improvement on the year prior and fell one game short of the postseason.

Patric Schneider/Associated Press

While impressive, O'Brien's feats pale in comparison to what Bruce Arians accomplished in Arizona.

Carson Palmer is the first name that comes to mind when one thinks of the injuries Arians' roster suffered.

Palmer only started six games, but backups behind him were hurt, too, as was star defensive lineman Darnell Dockett. Running back Andre Ellington hobbled through the season. A gaudy 15 players who appeared in more than 10 games in 2013 did not reach the 10-game mark this season.

Yet the Cardinals still won 11 games in the toughest division in football.

There is no trumping what Arians accomplished. It is one thing to have the schematic mind to overcome deficiencies. But playing four different players at the most important position of all and still encouraging his players to fight until the bitter end?

Arians wins in a landslide.

Prediction: Bruce Arians wins.

Comeback Player of the Year

How in the world does anyone figure this award out?

Start with Rolando McClain. Remember him? The guy who retired early, only to come back and live up to his potential? The Dallas Cowboys took a major risk and hit the jackpot with the No. 8 overall inside linebacker in football, per Pro Football Focus.

Don't forget Justin Forsett, either. The career journeyman joined the Baltimore Ravens, received an unexpected amount of work and turned it into 1,266 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on a 5.4 yards-per-carry average.

For Forsett, he hopes the outburst translates to a bigger commitment, per Garrett Downing of BaltimoreRavens.com:

"

These guys are familiar with me and they gave me my first real shot, but there's also a business side of it where unfortunately I've been in the 'friend zone' for most of my career. Hopefully we can get into a deeper commitment somewhere down the road and get some stability.

"

Remember Julio Jones? Sure, the Atlanta Falcons stunk it up, but one of the game's best receivers bounced back from a five-game campaign in 2013 with a whopping 104 catches for 1,593 yards and six touchdowns.

Nobody seems to talk about Philadelphia Eagles wideout Jeremy Maclin, either. He missed all of 2013 and then caught 85 passes for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2014—with Mark Sanchez as the primary starter.

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

While impressive, the award figures to go to New England's Rob Gronkowski.

Gronkowski hobbled his way through the 2013 campaign, arriving late due to injury, then leaving before the season concluded for the same reason. The team hardly used him in its first four games this year, but then he exploded on the way to 82 grabs for 1,124 yards and 12 scores—not to mention seven catches for 108 yards and a score against Baltimore in the divisional round.

The fact is that Gronkowski has the perfect tandem of numbers, sheer dominance that makes him the best at his position and team success to take home the hardware.

Prediction: Rob Gronkowski wins.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com. Advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus.