NFL Awards Roundup: Watt unanimous DPOY, Murray wins OPOY
The NFL recognized its best players from the 2014 season at the fourth annual "NFL Honors" on Saturday night.
The two-hour prime-time awards show went down at the Phoenix Convention Center. Here are the results:
Most Valuable Player
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
Rodgers threw for 2,955 yards and 30 touchdowns with only two interceptions in a remarkable 10-game stretch. He guided the Packers to a perfect 8-0 record at Lambeau Field, posting a 133.2 quarterback rating, and throwing for 25 touchdowns without an interception.
Rodgers threw for 4,381 yards, 38 touchdowns, and five interceptions on the season, posting a 112.2 quarterback rating.
Offensive Player of the Year
DeMarco Murray, RB, Cowboys
Murray led the league in scrimmage yards, winning the rushing title with a career-high 1,845 yards. He set an NFL record by rushing for at least 100 yards in each of the first eight games of the season.
Murray is the first Cowboy to ever win the award.
Defensive Player of the Year
J.J. Watt, DE, Texans
Watt captures top defensive player honors for the second time in three seasons, becoming the first player in league history to be a unanimous selection for the award.
Watt recorded 20.5 sacks and four forced fumbles, scoring a total of five touchdowns, including his contributions on offense.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Giants
Beckham, drafted 12th overall out of LSU, made the most of his 12 games, hauling in 91 balls for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Aaron Donald, DT, Rams
Donald was a bright spot in what was mostly a down year for the Rams' defensive line. He had 47 tackles and nine sacks from his interior line spot.
Coach of the Year
Bruce Arians, Cardinals
Arians's Cardinals were able to weather countless injuries to qualify for the postseason with an 11-5 record, their second consecutive season with double-digit victories.
He won the award in 2012 while with the Indianapolis Colts.
Walter Payton Man of the Year
Thomas Davis, LB, Panthers
Davis recorded 100 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles on the field. Off the field, he and his wife Kelly founded the Thomas Davis Defending Dreams Foundation, a non-profit organization established to provide and promote programs that enhance the quality of life for underprivileged children and their families.
Comeback Player of the Year
Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots
Gronkowski played in only 18 games over the previous two seasons before playing in 15 this year. He racked up 82 receptions, 1,124 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns.
2015 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class
It's official! Congratulations to our #PFHOF15 Class! We can't wait for August. pic.twitter.com/BneZATo0BH
— Pro Football HOF (@ProFootballHOF) February 1, 2015
Eight men were elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the class of 2015: Junior Seau, Jerome Bettis, Tim Brown, Charles Haley, Will Shields, Bill Polian, Ron Wolf, and Mick Tingelhoff.