This is an article version of the CBS Sports HQ AM Newsletter, the ultimate guide to every day in sports. Nine of the NFL's 18 weeks are in the books. The halfway point is still far too soon to tell the whole story of the season, but we do have a good idea as to which teams will make the strongest Super Bowl pushes and which players will define the campaign.
Our NFL staff took everything that unfolded in the first half of the season to issue team report cards and also to look forward to the award races and championship picture. Picks are in for MVP, Coach of the Year, the Super Bowl and more. The biggest landslide among our panel of voters came in the Protector of the Year deliberations.
Of the 15 voters, 12 selected Lions tackle Penei Sewell as the top offensive lineman. Our Zach Pereles explained why he is the runaway favorite. Rookie of the Year is a dead heat on both sides of the ball.
Defensively, there are only two real candidates: Arvell Reese and David Bailey. But on offense, it's still a much more open race. Each of these players received votes: 1.
Browns WR Denzel Boston (7 votes) 2. Broncos RB Jonah Coleman (3) T3. Titans WR Carnell Tate, Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza (2) 5.
Browns WR KC Concepcion (1) As for the Super Bowl picture, the Jaguars are the staff's favorites while the Bears and 49ers are the strongest contenders. Our John Breech has his eyes on someone else, though. Take a look at his full playoff projections and his championship pick.
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