On the Road to Glory: Mid-season Favorites for the NFL's Superlatives

The NFL season is flying by at an amazing pace. It feels like it's only been a week since the Dallas Cowboys were the alleged best team in football, and the Cincinnati Bengals were supposed to be on the verge of turning their season around.

It's also been four weeks since the last time I took a look around the league in an effort to find the players most deserving of the NFL's most prestigious awards.

While fans of the NFL's former dominant teams hold fast to dreams of comebacks and miraculous turnarounds, the reality of the league tells a much different tale.

The NFL doesn't belong to Tom Brady and Peyton Manning anymore.

MVP: QB Drew Brees, NO

There's no point in trying to be cute. It might be fun to make a case for another candidate, but there's journalistic integrity at stake here. It would be completely irresponsible to consider anyone else for this award.

Brees is lighting up every opponent he faces in hopes that his defense can hold on to the leads he can establish. Sometimes they pull through—most times they don't. The defense is turning most games into shootouts, but Brees is making victory possible in every single game.

At the halfway mark, Dan Marino's single-season record for most passing yards is definitely in danger.

If the Saints were destroying all their opponents and were en route to a significant lead in their conference, then it would be safe to assume that Brees would be benched to get some rest before the playoffs.

However, the NFC South is too dangerous and tight to assume that New Orleans will get a breather. Brees will need to play all sixteen games to keep his team competitive.

So when the Saints are still playing significant games to stay alive in December, fans should expect Marino's record to fall.

For your consideration: NT Albert Haynesworth, TEN

The big guys don't get enough love when these awards roll around. But make no mistake about it—this is not a pity nomination. Haynesworth is having an MVP-caliber year for the Titans' defense.

Haynesworth has been having a good time in the offensive backfield, sacking the quarterback and pressuring the quarterback. It's his ability that's made the Titans one of the most dangerous defenses in the NFL. The attention he commands frees up the players around him to do better jobs.

His value should go unquestioned.

Comeback Player of the Year: QB Chad Pennington, MIA

Has anyone ever won Comeback Player of the Year twice in their career?

If not, Pennington is most definitely deserving of that distinction. Jets' fans know all too well how he responds to adversity, and now Dolphins' fans are enjoying it as well.

Pennington has brought stability to a young Miami offense that's needed an efficient QB that won't lose games for them. He's been the right man at the right time. Pennington is helping build much needed confidence for his young teammates, while NFL pundits across the board silently take seats on the bandwagon.

All of a sudden, he's no longer the weak-armed quarterback he was for the last few years of his career.

For your consideration: QB Kerry Collins, TEN

Collins is no statistical giant. In fact, he's had a fairly pedestrian season, effectively managing a team defined by a stifling defense and an incredible rush attack.

But fans have to consider this: would the Titans be playing as well as they have been with Vince Young at the quarterback spot?

Kerry Collins is no Drew Brees this season, but he's the man that's making Tennessee click. He's still a good enough quarterback to win games for his team when the running game struggles. Those dynamics he brings to the table are things that were lacking with Young.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: RB Chris Johnson, TEN

He's the Drew Brees of rookie running backs. There's no reason to even pretend that another rookie has had a season even close to being comparable. Johnson is gashing every defense he faces, and making it look easy in the process.

Most fans argue that being fast in the combine doesn't mean much to NFL success. I'm sure everyone that's tried to catch him wishes that were true. But he's more than just speed. He's elusive, and isn't afraid to go up the middle either.

His team is possibly the very best in the NFL, and as a rookie, he's probably the best offensive player the Titans have. Let the kid smack the bongos all he likes.

For your consideration: QB Matt Ryan, ATL

For all that was said about his astronomical contract and what his output would be like as a rookie QB, no one expected Ryan to play as well as he has. His inexperience has shown at times, but he's thrown more touchdowns than interceptions, and helped his team win games.

And truthfully, that's all that matters.

It's Ryan's ability to make quick decisions that makes him stand out the most. The Chicago Bears game immediately comes to mind.

For someone his age to have such presence and instinct when a game is on the line is phenomenal.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: DE Chris Long, STL

Something to smile about in St. Louis. The resurgent Rams have returned to some form of respectability in the NFL. Through the clouds and dust stands Chris Long and his four sack season, the best among all rookies.

His adjustment to the NFL is coming along nicely, but he was hindered by an inept team. The New England Patriots game was a coming-out party of sorts for the young man.

For your consideration: CB Brandon Flowers, KC

Brett Favre knows his name after taking an interception 91-yards for a touchdown.

Flowers has been part of an abysmal Chiefs' defense, but it's worked to his benefit. He's learning to play at a top level, and he's learning very quickly.

The young man can make tackles, and he seems to be around the ball when necessary. There are plenty of rookie mistakes he's made for fans to choose from, but Flowers has held his own against some of the best receivers the NFL has to offer.

Coach of the Year: Jeff Fisher, TEN

This is the only award that hasn't changed since the quarterly report. Jeff Fisher took a chance that could've placed him on the unemployment line if it backfired, but he came out looking like a genius.

He made the tough decision to bench the player his organization has so much invested in, and ran the risk of alienating his team and fans if the decision failed.

Through all of their victories in 2008, the Titans don't look like a team that's managing to win. They're an all-around football team that's defeating their opponents decisively.

All of that should be credited to Fisher and his commitment to winning. Choosing to disregard the contract doled out to an inexperienced quarterback, Tennessee is enjoying the kind of success they never came close to in previous years.

For your consideration: Jim Haslett, STL

The St. Louis Rams were supposed to be destined for doom after the first few weeks of the season. But then Scott Linehan was fired, and Jim Haslett stepped in.

The outlook was still fairly bleak, though. His time in New Orleans didn't inspire much confidence in his ability to turn the Rams around. The way Linehan had his team playing made people wonder if the talent in St. Louis was overrated.

When Haslett took the reins, he brought back the Marc Bulger and the Stephen Jackson everyone remembered from years before.

Two consecutive victories, and a hard-fought battle against the New England Patriots are the kind of confidence builders a team like St. Louis needs.

And if we're being absolutely honest, it's exactly what Haslett needs to be considered as something more than an interim head coach.

Angel Navedo is the Head Writer at NYJetsFan.com, boasting Jet Fuel Radio, frequently updated news and opinions, and a premier fan community. He is also the Community Leader for the New York Jets on Bleacher Report.