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The end-of-the-season awards won't be handed out for six months, but you don't have to wait to find out the winners. Here's who we expect will carry home the big prizes.
MVP:
Mark Brunell, quarterback, Jaguars.
You have to love a guy who, though battered and bruised last season, played every snap in each of his team's 19 games and who each week played better than he had the previous week. In Jacksonville's first 12 regular-season games, Brunell threw 20 interceptions; he had none in the last four as he carried the Jags into the playoffs. This season Brunell will throw 35 touchdown passes and end Brett Favre's two-year streak as league MVP.
Offensive rookie of the year:
Antowain Smith, running back, Bills.
The burden of being Buffalo's backfield workhorse has taken its toll on Thurman Thomas, who hasn't averaged 4.0 yards per carry in a season since 1992. New offensive coordinator Dan Henning needs a big, durable mail carrier, especially with a pass offense that will be horrible. Smith, a mature, 25-year-old rookie out of Houston, is the man for the job.
Defensive rookie of the year:
Jason Taylor, defensive end-outside linebacker, Dolphins.
Miami coach Jimmy Johnson, who doesn't hesitate to play rookies, is dying for a fluid pass rusher. He'll quickly turn this University of Akron product into a 12-sack player.
Comeback player of the year:
Neil Smith, defensive end, Broncos.
Smith had an off year for Kansas City in 1996, which allowed Denver to get him as a free agent for a relatively paltry $1.5 million for one year. "All I know," says Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, "is that every time we played the Chiefs, even last year, he was the first guy we accounted for. If you don't block him, you've got no chance."
Coach of the year:
Dennis Erickson, Seahawks.
The Seahawks will win 11 games and one playoff matchup, making Seattle the hot free-agency locale of 1998.
Other predictions:
The 1997 scoring leader will be the Packers' rookie placekicker, Brett Conway. San Francisco quarterback Steve Young will top the passer-rating chart. Atlanta's Jamal Anderson will lead the league in rushing. Jags wideout Keenan McCardell will catch the most passes. Cardinals end Simeon Rice will take the sack crown. And Shawn Springs, the Seahawks' rookie corner, will lead the league in interceptions.
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