2022 NFL Awards: Top Philadelphia Eagles in Each Major Category Including Jalen Hurts MVP
As the 2022 NFL awards season approaches, the Philadelphia Eagles have been the best and most consistent team in the NFL throughout the year. They have the best record in the league at 11-1, a legitimate MVP candidate in Jalen Hurts, and a roster loaded with Pro Bowlers. As the current No. 1 seed in the NFC, the Eagles have a great chance to finish the season with a Super Bowl trophy in their hands.
But that’s not the only piece of hardware this talented team is eyeing.
Let’s take a look at Philadelphia’s best candidates to win every major season-long award offered by the NFL, starting with Hurts’ MVP case.
Jalen Hurts is the Philadelphia Eagles’ MVP and has the best chance among the team’s 2022 NFL awards candidates
I mean, duh.
Jalen Hurts’ massive third-year jump is the main reason why the Eagles are 11-1 through 12 games, and the star quarterback is neck-and-neck with Patrick Mahomes in the MVP betting market. On FanDuel, Mahomes is still the favorite at +125, but Hurts is right behind at +150.
So, since it’s the highlight of the 2022 NFL awards, let’s dive into his MVP case.
Hurts entered the 2022-23 season with the reputation of a run-first QB who had plenty of work to do to improve his arm strength, accuracy, and decision-making. Well, consider all three phases improved.
Through 12 games, Hurts ranks ninth in passing yards (2,940), second in yards per attempt (8.2), fourth in completion percentage (68.1%), seventh in touchdown passes (20), and third in quarterback rating (108.3). The only every-week starter with fewer interceptions than Hurts (three) is Tom Brady (two).
The 24-year-old is putting up career-high numbers in nearly every statistical passing category and silencing the many doubters in the process.
Oh, and the rushing stats? They’re even better, too. Hurts currently ranks third among quarterbacks in rushing yards (612) and first in rushing touchdowns (nine). He ran for a franchise-record 157 yards against the Green Bay Packers last week, which also marked the fifth-highest rushing total for a QB in a single game in NFL history.
Maybe most importantly, Hurts is the starting quarterback of the team with the best record in the NFL. Philadelphia’s schedule is fairly easy down the stretch, so the worst-case scenario might be a 14-3 record in the regular season. If Hurts continues to put up these monster numbers and leads the Eagles to the best record, it’d be hard for the MVP voters to choose someone else.
Hurts is the clear MVP of this Eagles team, and he may very well be the MVP of the league right now.
A.J. Brown is the team leader for Offensive Player of the Year
Let me preface this pick with something first. If Hurts doesn’t end up winning MVP, there’s a good chance 2022 NFL awards voters will award him the consolation prize of Offensive Player of the Year. The QB is currently second on the OPOY odds board at +250, behind only Tyreek Hill at +200.
Because I do believe Hurts is in the driver’s seat to win MVP, I’ll have to go elsewhere with my Eagles Offensive Player of the Year pick. That leads me to A.J. Brown.
You could argue Hurts’ third-year jump is directly correlated to Brown’s arrival in Philadelphia. Last year, Hurts wasn’t especially efficient as a passer, in large part because DeVonta Smith, a rookie at the time, was the team’s most talented wide receiver. With Brown taking over as the No. 1 target, Hurts is having an MVP-caliber season.
But the former Tennessee Titan is also having his best year as a pro.
Brown is putting up a career-high 79.2 receiving yards per game, and he’s on pace to set career highs in catches, yards, and touchdowns. Through 12 games, Brown ranks seventh in receiving yards (950), fourth in receiving touchdowns (nine), and sixth in 20-yard catches (15). He’s unlocked an explosive element to an offense that ranks second in points per game (28.2).
Brown is currently 100-1 to win Offensive Player of the Year, but a strong finish to the season would put him right in the mix.
Darius Slay’s shutdown contributions make him the Philly Defensive Player of the Year
Enough about the offense. Time to switch gears in our look at the 2022 NFL awards to Philadelphia’s shutdown defense, which is allowing just 18.8 points per game.
Leading the way all season has been the secondary — Darius Slay especially.
Slay has been tasked with marking the opponent’s No. 1 wide receiver all year, and he’s the MVP of what’s been the best passing defense in the NFL. Through 12 games, the Eagles have allowed the fewest passing yards per game (178.5) in the league.
Slay is second on the team in both interceptions (three) and passes defended (10). Only nine players in the NFL have recorded more PDs. The star cornerback is in line to be named a Pro Bowler for the fifth time in the last six seasons. He’s one of the best in the business at the CB position, and the Eagles wouldn’t be where they are today without him.
It’s still highly unlikely that Slay, or anyone else for that matter, will be able to catch Micah Parsons (-400 favorite) to win DPOY.
Miles Sanders is the unexpected candidate for Comeback Player of the Year
Miles Sanders? Miles Sanders!
Through three seasons in the NFL, Sanders was considered nothing more than a mediocre running back who could easily be replaced. There were questions circulating in the offseason about whether he would keep the starting job in 2022.
Well, it’s safe to say he’s answered those questions.
The Penn State product has been exceptional in Year 4. Sanders has already notched career highs in carries (187), rushing yards (924), and rushing touchdowns (nine). He also ranks sixth in rushing yards and fifth in rushing touchdowns.
His breakout campaign comes after a 2021 season in which he missed five games, rushed for a career-low 754 yards, and didn’t score a single touchdown. Not one!
Sanders has gone from a decent-at-best running back to one of the most productive starters in the NFL in just one year. The 25-year-old won’t win the award, mostly because Geno Smith is the overwhelming favorite at -750, but he’s been the Eagles’ Comeback Player of the Year all season long.
Grant Calcaterra is the reluctant choice for the Eagles’ Offensive Rookie of the Year
OK, we can pretty much skip this one.
Grant Calcaterra, a sixth-round pick out of SMU and Oklahoma, has only played 16.8% of Philadelphia’s offensive snaps this season, but that’s the highest percentage on the team among rookies.
The rookie tight end has caught all three of his targets for 57 yards. The receiving stats are minimal, but Calcaterra’s impact has been felt with his blocking in the run game. It’s safe to say the Eagles have no Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates who can challenge Kenneth Walker (+150), Garrett Wilson (+260), and Christian Watson (+380).
Jordan Davis’ impact is highlighted as the Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate
Again, the Eagles don’t have a contender to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. They don’t have a single player listed on the odds board where Ahmad Gardner is the -600 favorite to win. But if I’m forced to pick one, as is the case for all of the major 2022 NFL awards, I’ll go with Davis.
During the eight games in which Davis has played, the Eagles have allowed just 111.25 rushing yards per game. Over the four games in which he hasn’t played? Philly has given up 131.25 rushing yards per contest.
At 6-foot-6 and 340 pounds, the Georgia product can clog up the line of scrimmage better than most nose tackles around the NFL. Davis’ impact won’t show up in the individual stats, but the Eagles can only reach their peak as a defensive unit when he’s healthy.
