Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was named the Associated Press Coach of the Year during Thursday night’s NFL Honors program in New Orleans. In his third season as Minnesota’s coach, O’Connell guided the Vikings to a 14-3 record. With new additions in quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Aaron Jones added to the fold to join wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, O’Connell guided the team to a 5-0 start. After two losses over a five-day stretch in October, the Vikings then racked up nine wins in a row. Minnesota stayed in the hunt for the NFC North title and No. 1 seed in the NFC until Week 18 when they lost the last game of the regular season to the Detroit Lions.
In the biggest surprise of Thursday night's NFL Honors ceremony in New Orleans, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen overcame the prevailing trend to beat Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson for The Associated Press' NFL Most Valuable Player award. Allen is the first player in 21 seasons to win MVP without being selected first-team All-Pro. Since MVP was first handed out in 1957, the only other players to win the award despite not being a first-team All-Pro were Broncos quarterback John Elway (1987, when Joe Montana was first-team All-Pro) and Titans quarterback Steve McNair (2003, Peyton Manning).
The Buffalo Bills quarterback was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player for the first time on Thursday. Fans wondered what Allen would do after the Bills traded Stefon Diggs in the offseason. Well, he clearly was just fine. Allen threw 28 touchdowns against a career-low six interceptions while also scoring a dozen touchdowns with his legs. Allen’s 77.4 QBR was the NFL’s best, which is more impressive considering he didn’t exactly have household names to throw to – Khalil Shakir led the team in targets (100), receptions (76), and yards (821). Allen got the benefit of a rather subpar division, clinching the AFC East on Dec. 1. But, it became very clear that as long as Allen is in the fold, the Bills will have a chance to compete.
