NFL Week 3 Aftermath: Early Season Awards

46 games have been played in the NFL so far, and their have been a lot of surpises, and great performances by a lot of players and teams. 

I am handing out NFL early season awards.

Is it premature? Maybe, but I think that once you see what I've put together you might forget that I am doing this 3 games into the season.

I am handing out awards based on performance by players and the performance of their team.  

Early Season NFL MVP: Peyton Manning

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts takes the field to run the offense against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on September 26, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Colts defeated the Broncos 27-13.

Some of you were probably expecting Michael Vick. 

But here is the thing, they both have the same record, but Manning has better stats. Manning is actually off to the best start of his 13 year career. 

He has thrown for 1013 yards, nine touchdowns, and zero interceptions. The Amazing thing is he has only played 3 games.   

Vick is having on on pace to having the best season of his career, but Manning may is on pace to having one of the best seasons in NFL History. 

Honorable Mention: Michael Vick

Early Season NFL Offensive Player Of The Year: Michael Vick

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on September 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Eagles defeated the Jaguars 28-3. (Photo by Doug

I did say Michael Vick is on pace to having the best season of his career, right? 

The Thirty Year old quarterback is not only making plays with his legs, but he is making plays inside the pocket. 

I would define Vick's play as electrifying. 

It's amazing that he wasn't even suppose to be playing right now.  Vick has a passer rating of 110.2, which is #2 in the NFL behind Peyton Manning.

It's too bad that Michael Vick won't be an Eagle uniform... but that's a whole different topic.  

Honorable Mention: Peyton Manning

Early Season NFL Defensive Player Of The Year: Clay Matthews

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 19: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers chases down a Buffalo Bills runner at Lambeau Field on September 19, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bills 34-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Clay Matthews is the definition of a beast.  

He has six sacks in three games this season.  There are 15 teams in the NFL that don't have 6.0 sacks. 

If you look at Clay Matthews, you see that he plays with effort like no other player in the NFL. He gives offensive coordinators (and quarterbacks) headaches.  

Matthews is a first round pick, but he plays like he needs to prove something to everybody. Matthews has proved to me that he is definitely the front runner for the defensive player of the year.  

Honorable Mention: Troy Polamalu 

Early Season NFL Comeback Player Of The Year: Michael Vick

Leon Halip/Getty Images

DETROIT - SEPTEMBER 19: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles scrambles for a first down during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 19, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Eagles defeated the Lions 35-32. (Photo by Leon Halip/G

Here is a prediction for you, Michael Vick will win the NFL comeback player of the year award in a landslide. 

Michael Vick was locked up for two years. When he got out there was some questions, whether or not he might change positions in the NFL, or whether or not a team would be willing to pick him up.  

Michael Vick then signed on with Eagles, where he was the third string quarterback. 

He was supposed to be the primary backup for Kevin Kolb this year, but then Kolb got hurt and Vick went in as the Eagles starting quarterback and he ended up playing well enough for the Eagles to stick with him as the Starting quarterback for the rest of this season.  

Honorable Mention: Troy Polamalu

Early Season NFL Offensive Rookie Of The Year: Jahvid Best

Leon Halip/Getty Images

DETROIT - SEPTEMBER 19: Jahvid Best #44 of the Detroit Lions scores on a 75 yard pass from Shaun Hill #14 during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Ford Field on September 19, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Hali

When the Lions traded up in the first round to get Jahvid Best, it was a surprise to many. 

Best was projected to be a 2nd or 3rd round pick.  So far Best has shown that he was worth a first round pick.  He leads all rookies in rushing yards and receptions.  

He has been everything for the Lions so far. But he did get hurt vs the Vikings and Kevin Smith, who was the teams starter last year is getting closer to return, which means they might cut down the number of carries Jahvid Best gets. 

Honorable Mention: Mike Williams

Early Season NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year: Earl Thomas

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 26: Earl Thomas #29 of the Seattle Seahawks returns an interception against the San Diego Chargers at Qwest Field on September 26, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Chargers 27-20. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty I

I think Ndamakong Suh will end up winning the Defensive Rookie of the year award. But right now I have to give this award to Earl Thomas, who is the best defensive rookie statically in the NFL.  

He has been everything people has said he would be and more.  If he keeps doing what he is doing, he might even make the pro bowl this year. 

Honorable Mention: Nate Allen

Early Season NFL Coach Of The Year: Mike Tomlin

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 12: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers watches his team play against the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL season opener game on September 12, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/

If you told me that the Steelers would be 3-0 with Dennis Dixon & Charlie Batch starting for them, I would of told you that you were crazy. 

If I knew that was actaully going to happen, It will be because Mike Tomlin is a great head football coach. I have been told that Mike Tomlin won a superbowl because he inherited a great team with a great quarterback.  

The Steelers were supposed to be 1-2 at this point in the season, but thanks to their defense the Steelers are 3-0 despite being down to their 4th string quarterback.  

I don't want to hear any crap about how Mike Tomlin doesn't have anything to do with the Steelers success, his team is 3-0 without their starting quarterback.  

Honorable Mention: Todd Haley

Early Season NFL Assistant Coach Of The Year: Mike Martz

People said that Mike Martz & Jay Cutler wouldn't be able to work together. So far that hasn't been the case.  

Martz has been able to control the gunslinger within Cutler who has only thrown 2 INTS this season, which is less than he had at this point of the season. 

Thanks to Martz, Cutler is now the third rated passer in the NFL behind Vick & Manning. 

The offensive guru is not helping Cutler's stats, but he is helping the Bears in the win column. 

Honorable Mention: Dick LeBeau 

Early Season NFL Executive Of The Year: Scott Pioli

The Chiefs have become the biggest surprise in the NFL and a lot of credit goes to Scott Pioli.  Last year the Chiefs were a franchise going threw the rebuilding process, now they might be a playoff team just that quick. 

The Chiefs have went from 30th ranked defense last year in the NFL to 13th ranked defense in the NFL this year.  

Matt Cassel struggled the first two games of the season, but he seems to be getting his confidence back. The Chiefs also have the #1 ranked running game in the NFL.  

Scott Pioli has put a great team together with a great coaching staff, it will take a couple of years, but the Chiefs could be holding up the Lombardi trophy before you know it. 

Honorable Mention: Mike Tannenbaum