Tom Brady is MVP as Rams and Saints Win Big
The NFL awards belonged to the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints, as well as Tom Brady.
Tom Brady earned his third NFL MVP award after leading the league in passing yards with 4,577 and tossing 32 touchdowns to just eight interceptions, but Saturday was just as much about the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints.
It was a day of sweeps at the NFL Honours ceremony at the University of Minnesota's Northrop Auditorium. The Rams took home both the offensive and defensive players of the year as well as coach of the year with Todd Gurley, Aaron Donald and Sean McVay claiming the respective awards. The Saints were awarded the offensive and defensive rookies of the year with Alvin Kamara and Marshon Lattimore.
McVay led Los Angeles from a 4-12 season in 2016 to an 11-5 record in 2017. He was the favourite to be named the league's best coach for a while. It helped him out that Gurley broke out with 2,093 yards from scrimmage which earned him the offensive player of the year award. Donald anchored the team's defense tallying 11 sacks and five forced fumbles on the way to being named the league's best defensive player.
As for the Saints, it was the first time since 1967 a team have swept the offensive and defensive rookie of the year awards. Saints quarterback Drew Brees was also named the Clutch Performer of the Year.
Here's the complete list of winners:
Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year: Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints
FedEx Air & Ground Players of the Year: Carson Wentz, QB, Eagles and Todd Gurley, RB, Rams
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Saints
AP Most Valuable Player: Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
AP Offensive Player of the Year: Todd Gurley, RB, Rams
AP Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Donald, DT, Rams
AP Comeback Player of the Year: Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year: J.J. Watt, DE, Texans
AP Coach of the Year: Sean McVay, Rams
AP Assistant Coach of the Year: Pat Shurmur, Vikings, Offensive Coordinator
Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award: Luke Kuechly, LB, Panthers
Salute To Service Award: Andre Roberts, WR, Falcons
Clutch Performer of the Year: Drew Brees, QB, Saints
Don Shula HS Coach of the Year: Robert Garrett (Crenshaw High School, Los Angeles)
Courtyard's "Greatness on the Road" Award: Deshaun Watson, QB, Texans
Game Changer presented by Secret Deodorant: Sam Gordon, Salt Lake City, Utah
Deacon Jones Award: Chandler Jones, OLB, Cardinals
Built Ford Tough Offensive Line of the Year: Eagles
Celebration of the year: Eagles Electric Slide
Bridgestone Performance Play of the Year: "Minneapolis Miracle"