Quarterback Joe Flacco, who came off the couch to lead Cleveland to the playoffs, was named the AP Comeback Player of the Year. Kevin Stefanski beat Houston’s DeMeco Ryans for AP Coach of the Year by one vote. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz won AP Assistant Coach of the Year after coaching the No. 1 unit in the league.”It was a special year for a special team,”
Garrett said of the Browns. “I think next year will be our year.”Despite his disappointment at missing out on the AFC title, it was also a special year for Jackson.The first MVP vote he didn’t get was Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Jackson threw for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns and ran for 821 yards and five scores to lead Baltimore to a record 10 wins against winning teams. He helped the Ravens eliminate Houston in the divisional round, but lost to the Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC title game.
McCaffrey, San Francisco’s All-Pro coach, received 39 of 50 first-place OPOY votes, edging out Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill. A consensus All-Pro selection, McCaffrey led the NFL with 1,459 rushing yards and 14 rushing TDs. He also had 564 yards on seven scores.“I’m so lucky to be part of the best organization on the planet, so thank you for believing in me, andquot; McCaffrey said.Garrett was just as dominant on the other side of the ball. He received 23 first-place votes and 165 points to surpass Watt for DPOY. Despite constant double teams, Garrett had 14 sacks, 30 quarterback hits,
17 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and forced offensive coordinators to avoid his field.Stroud received 48 of 50 first-place OROY votes, with Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua receiving the other two. The No. 2 overall pick, Stroud threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, five interceptions and a 100.8 passer rating, third best among rookies. He helped the Texans go from worst to first in the AFC South and led them to a playoff victory in the wild card round.”I’m the type of person who thinks about what’s next and what I can do better,
but I think through it, being the first, it’s special just to be in the NFL, let alone a winning team, andquot; Stroud said .Anderson and Stroud are the fourth teammate to win the offensive and defensive player awards in the same season, with Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner winning the awards last year for the New York Jets.”It means the absolute world,” Anderson said of his and Stroud’s win. “It’s special to see him come to work every day and watch him prepare and rebuild the culture and be our rookie captain of the year.”Flacco beat out Bills safety Damar Hamlin and Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield for the comeback award. He received 13 first-place votes, 26 second-place votes and eight third-place votes for 151 points.Hamlin returned to the NFL this season after collapsing on the field and requiring CPR following cardiac arrest on January 2,
2023. He played in five regular season games. Hamlin received 21 first-place votes but appeared on 42 of 50 ballots, while Flacco had 47. He received seven second-place votes and 14 third-place votes out of 140 points.Flacco, a 39-year-old former Super Bowl MVP, was at home with his family in New Jersey when Cleveland called him up in November. He went 4-1 in five starts and passed for over 300 yards with 13 touchdowns in four straight games.Stefanski led the Browns to their third playoff appearance since 1999 despite losing quarterback Deshaun Watson, star running back Nick Chubb and right tackle Jack Conklin to season-ending injuries and starting five QBs.Cleveland#039;s Schwartz received 25 first-place votes and finished with 160 points, easily edging out Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald.___.
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