The holidays are approaching, the temperature is dropping, and the NFL playoffs are quickly making its way to a television near you. With January and February around the corner, football fans have watched and analyzed a lot during the new season. From rookie phenoms to comebacks made by special players, it’s hard not to notice what’s new about this sport every year. To show some well-deserved recognition to a handful of these athletes, the NFL holds an awards show about a week before the Super Bowl to commend some of the game’s brightest stars.

MVP

The Most Valuable Player Award, arguably the most prestigious accolade, has been debated amongst multiple possibilities this year. Some of the candidates include Dak Prescott, Tom Brady, Matt Ryan, and Derek Carr.  It’s pretty rare to see a rookie win the MVP title (the last time it occurred was in 1978 with Earl Campbell). This year, it’s definitely a possibility with Dallas Cowboys running-back Ezekiel Elliott in the mix. Fresh out of Buckeyes Nation, this #4 overall selection from last year’s NFL Draft has not disappointed his fans at all in his rookie campaign. Averaging over 100 yards a game and about 4-5 yards per carry, it’s hard to imagine him not winning this award, if a person takes into account that he has claimed the Dallas rookie-rushing record in just 10 games. Elliott is also the rushing king, as of Week 13, with 1,392 yards in 2016 (so far). A lot can argue that #21 wouldn’t be this successful if it weren’t for the offensive line the Cowboys possess, but keep in mind, this O-Line went 4-12 with a different backfield last year. Nonetheless, feeding Zeke the ball and the MVP award is what we need to see once February arrives.

Comeback Player of The Year

A comeback is only as good as the second chance that ignites it. This second chance came when running-back Le’Veon Bell fully recovered from an MCL tear that would cripple him, just under one year after he suffered an ACL tear. To make matters worse, Bell was suspended 3 games out of this season, due to missing a crucial (and mandatory) drug test by the league. Hoping to bounce back stronger than ever, Le’Veon put on a clinic so far in 2016, setting defenses ablaze with his running. Presenting himself as one of the most versatile backs right now, Bell has rushed for an average of about 105 yards and averages about 4-5 yards per carry. Versatile isn’t an understatement either, as Le’Veon racks up an average of about 56 receiving yards per game and averages a good 6-7 yards on all of his catches so far. This 1-2 Punch tailback has gained about 1,053 yards on the year, which makes him a top 5 RB, as of Week 13. Whether or not he keeps it up, Le’Veon Bell’s story is surely one fans will not pass up on.

Defensive Player of The Year

Every year, time and time again, J.J. Watt is usually crowned as the NFL’s best defensive player. And you can’t blame the guy: he’s 6’ 5”, 289 pounds, eats about 9,000 calories a day, and works out like a freak. He’s said to be the next Lawrence Taylor, a revolutionizing player, but definitely not the best this year. With Watt out for a lot of the year due to back issues, a new candidate has emerged as a clear front-runner when the 2016 season is all said and done: Khalil Mack. He has been the focal point of the Oakland Raiders’ defense since stepping into the league, providing a well-balanced pass rush in his play. Mack is probably the best choice for this award because of his ability to fly under the radar with most experts. Von Miller, Luke Kuechly, and Dont’a Hightower are all seen as the future for their respective teams, and while they all are, Khalil is underrated when it comes to his skill and talent. This linebacker-turned-defensive end has managed to record 11 sacks, along with an impressive 44 tackles (with 17 assisted as well). As his reign of terror continues to flourish, this Buffalo alumni has recorded five forced fumbles, recovering three of them himself this year so far. Also, keep in mind that the season isn’t over, and that Oakland is indeed playoff-bound. With not a lot of honorable choices, the only beast that remains is Khalil Mack.