New England Patriots: Tom Brady and Player of the Year Awards

The New England Patriots concluded their season last Sunday with a 38-7 victory over their division rival Miami Dolphins. 

The team ended up with a 14-2 record, which is good for league best. New England clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and has a perfect 8-0 record at home this year. 

New England was never expected to finish this high at the beginning of the season. So-called experts were making calls from 11-5 all the way to 7-9. Well, so much for those predictions.

The team has gone through a lot of adversity and they have prevailed. 

So, here are the three player of the year awards for the New England Patriots. 

Offensive Player of the Year: QB Tom Brady

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FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 21: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts after teammate BenJarvis Green-Ellis runs the ball in for a touchdown in the second half at Gillette Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/G

This has got to be a "no-brainer."

The New England Patriots' quarterback has played amazing this year; and what many people are saying his best year, even better than 2007. 

Tom Brady has thrown for 3900 yards and 36 touchdowns, while only throwing an impressive four interceptions Yes, only four. 

Brady broke a very incredible NFL record this year: TB12 has now gone 335 passes without an interception. Ever since the last time Brady has thrown an interception, quarterbacks Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, and Eli Manning have combined for 47. 

It's really amazing how well Brady has been playing this season. The offense and defense are currently rebuilding, they traded away wide receiver Randy Moss mid-season, and New England's two tight ends are both rookies. 

Brady has made rookie tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez look like NFL veterans. 

With all the tough defenses he has faced this year, there is no doubt that Brady is having his best season. 

Defensive Player of the Year: LB Jerrod Mayo

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 24: Jerod Mayo #51 of the New England Patriots on defense against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on October 24, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Linebacker Jerod Mayo has been the unsung hero of the defense this season. 

Mayo finished up the 2010 season with a league best and career high 175 tackles. 

With a young, inexperienced, and rebuilding defense, Mayo has stepped up and taken control of the team. When you watch him on the field, he almost looks like a field general, he is in complete command of the defense. 

Along with Mayo's impressive 175 tackles, he has also recorded two sacks and one forced fumble. 

This has definitely been Mayo's break-out year.

HONORABLE MENTION: Devin McCourty

You cannot leave out Devin McCourty. He is an NFL rookie, but he's playing like a five-year veteran. 

McCourty has stepped up and taken the role as the team's number one corner-back and has played phenomenal. The rookie has 82 tackles and an impressive seven interceptions. 

Special Teams: Matthew Slater

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: Brad Smith #16 of the New York Jets is tackled by Danny Woodhead #39 and Matthew Slater #18 of the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

This might come as a shock to some of you. However, wide receiver Matthew Slater has stolen a role on this team as the team's best special teams tackler. 

Slater has recorded a team best 21 tackles on the year for the Patriots. 

The second year pro out of UCLA was the team's 153rd pick in 2008 and has been hit with injuries hard. 

At the start of training camp this year, Slater injured his calf which put his roster spot in jeopardy. But, despite the injuries, Slater has made a name for himself on this team and has found a nice role. 

HONORABLE MENTION: Zoltan Mesko

Zoltan Mesko is the best rookie punter in the NFL. He has played tremendous for New England this year. Mesko averages 43.2 yards-per-punt along with 19 punts inside the 20-yard line with a season long a booming 65 yards. 

Mesko's best game was against the Baltimore Ravens where the Patriots won the game in over-time. The game was a battle of field position and Mesko punted the ball extremely well that Sunday.