2026 NFL midseason awards: Expert picks for Super Bowl winner, MVP, Coach of the Year, OPOY and more

Key Points:

• The NFL season is at its midpoint, with notable surprises including the Giants leading the NFC East despite quarterback instability, the Rams struggling with injuries, and the Chargers remaining winless.
• Joe Burrow is the leading MVP candidate, dominating key passing statistics, while Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba is favored for Offensive Player of the Year and Texans' Will Anderson Jr. leads Defensive Player of the Year voting.
• Browns' Denzel Boston and Giants' Arvell Reese are front-runners for Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year respectively, with Patrick Mahomes favored for Comeback Player of the Year after returning from injury.
• John Harbaugh is the top Coach of the Year candidate for guiding the Giants to a strong record, while Vikings' Brian Flores is the clear choice for Assistant Coach of the Year due to Minnesota's defensive excellence.
• Playoff projections favor the Bills, Bengals, Jaguars, and 49ers as division leaders, with the Jaguars receiving the most votes to win the Super Bowl, followed by the 49ers and several other teams as potential finalists.