At the halfway point of the 2014 NFL season, our analysts refresh their predictions on the winners of individual awards, playoff participants and Championship Sunday/SuperBowl XLIX outcomes.MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: PeytonManning, QB, Denver . There are probably more creative, original picks than , but really? Twenty-two touchdown pa ses, three interceptions, 69 percent completion rate (which would be the highest of his career). You can make an argument for or , but Manning is the single most critical piece on any team, and that is the definition of this award.: TomBrady, QB, New England . In his past four games, Brady's thrown 14 touchdown pa ses and zero interceptions -- and the have scored 158 points. Manning has more touchdowns and yards, but Brady is hitting his stride, and he's doing it with le s.: Manning. Who knows what will be after Manning is done? It certainly won't sit at 513 -- through Week 8, the 38-year-old is tied with for the league lead in scoring to ses (22).: Manning. There aren't many accolades that haven't been hurled at the five-time MVP over the years -- and now the veteran might be playing the best football of his career.: Manning. Another stellar season. You can argue for other guys, but I don't see anybody playing better week in and week out.: AaronRodgers, QB, Green Bay . I'll repeat what I first said in October 2010: Rodgers is the best QB in the league and has a chance to go down as the best ever.: Manning. Peyton narrowly defeats . Question is, can get back in the MVP race?: Rodgers. He was , and it still stands. Remember: .: Rodgers. Given that he's both and ridiculously good, there's no way I'm coming off .OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: DeMarcoMurray, RB, Dallas . You held by Jim Brown? You get a big award.: PeytonManning, QB, Denver . The veteran has 22 touchdowns against just three interceptions -- and yet, somehow he's still behind his of 2013.: Murray.He's the only player in NFL history to start a season with eight consecutive 100-yard rushing games. He's on track to become the eighth member of the 2,000-yard club. And he's come up huge for that Dallas defense -- by moving the chains and limiting the unit's minutes.: Murray. The back is worthy of consideration as the MVP, thanks to a spectacular string of 100-yard games that has helped propel Dallas to the top of the NFC East.: Murray.The fourth-year pro has put the on his shoulders, guiding this surprising bunch right into first place in the NFC East.: Murray/Dallas' offensive line. Ryan Braun Jersey This group has demonstrated historic levels of dominance, of the defending champion .: Murray. He might not stay healthy, but even if he plays just 13 games, he'll likely have more than 1,500 yards rushing ... not to mention a nice overall yards-from-scrimmage total.: Murray. He's been remarkable running the ball for Dallas, aiding and the offense and keeping the ' defense off the field.: AaronRodgers, QB, Green Bay . From the Department of Redundancy Department.DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: J.J.Watt, DE, Houston . Why even pretend this is a contest? Watt buries this award as easily as he does opposing quarterbacks.: Watt. He's the most disruptive player in the NFL, period. He does everything right -- .: Watt. Watt -- who has three touchdowns and seven sacks -- requires double- and triple-teaming by the ' opponents. He's a big reason why Houston has four wins.: Watt. Based on his sensational performance and production over the first half, Watt is also a viable MVP candidate.: Watt. Is there any question here?: Watt. I don't need to explain this, right?: Watt.He has so much going for him right now that I would be shocked if he doesn't win this award. He already leads the NFL in pre sures, and now he's got back.: Watt. It's 's world.: Watt. When he's not terrorizing opponents, he's clowning them. (Yes, , I'm .)OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: ZackMartin, OG, Dallas . Thank goodne s the card was , because Martin has been the final piece to a line that is powering the ' offense.: SammyWatkins, WR, Buffalo . Watkins is coming off back-to-back games of 100-plus receiving yards -- and he would be coming off back-to-back games with multiple touchdowns, had he not on an 84-yard reception . He now has exactly as many catches (38) and touchdowns (five) as fellow rookie , though Watkins has surpa sed the receiver in yards (590 to 571).: Martin. Dallas is averaging 400.6 yards per game on offense, and Martin is one of the driving forces behind that succe s.: KelvinBenjamin, WR, Carolina . Benjamin has certainly lived up to the Plaxico Burre s comparisons with his outstanding play on the perimeter for the . He is a matchup nightmare with a combination of size and length that is too much for most NFL corners. : Watkins. Tough call here. Watkins has posted good numbers with two different quarterbacks ( and ). And he's a better all-around receiver than or .: Watkins. Early leader still has a great shot, but he won't catch Watkins unle s the latter takes his foot off this gas. No reason to think that'd happen, though, ?: Martin. Dallas' offensive line has been getting lauded for weeks, partially because of Martin's immediate impact. He has provided Murray with some big holes.: Watkins. I had winning this one before the season, but now it's clearly . He's a freak.: Watkins. The QB switch from to has been good to him. He'll get out in front of this race and won't be .DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: KyleFuller, CB, Chicago . He replaced when the veteran went on injured reserve -- and all Fuller has done is force three fumbles and pick off three pa ses.: AnthonyBarr, LB, Minnesota . is going to be a popular answer here, but Barr deserves some recognition. He isn't playing behind the kind of defensive line Mosley is, and yet he has 54 tackles and three sacks -- not to mention returned for a touchdown on Sunday.: C.J.Mosley, LB, Baltimore . Mosley plays all downs and leads the with 76 tackles -- easily in the NFL this season.: Mosley. As the ' designated defensive playmaker, Mosley has quietly emerged as one of the top defenders in the NFL.: Mosley. A complete linebacker who can play the run and the pa s. Through the first eight games of his career, Mosley .: Mosley. Just as the were able to replace their Face of the Franchise with another dominant force at the same position, the have a hammer at MLB to fill the shoes of their greatest legend.:Mosley ... and JasonVerrett, CB, San Diego . One of our NFL NOW producers suggested the linebacker, and it's hard to disagree with him. That said, I'm calling for co-winners, with the outstanding Verrett sharing the award.: Mosley. Before the season, I chose over Mosley, but now I'm back to liking the Alabama product for this one.: Barr. Did you see Barr Sunday? He'll soon be sharing more than a Subway sandwich with .COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR: RolandoMcClain, LB, Dallas . McClain has pulled off one of the most remarkable resurrections in memory. He was out of football last season after retiring (twice) and being arrested (three times) since he was drafted eighth overall by the in 2010. Now he's viewed as a leader of one of the game's most surprising defenses.: ArianFoster, RB, Houston . Foster mi sed eight games last season thanks to . Now he ranks second in the NFL in rushing yards and is tied for first in rushing touchdowns.: Foster. Foster returned from an injury-marred 2013 to re-establish himself as one of the premier runners in the NFL.: SteveSmith, WR, Baltimore . The 35-year-old has rebounded from his final season with the -- in which he recorded a relatively pedestrian 64 catches for 745 yards and four scores -- to help quarterback rediscover his 2012 form. Smith has already matched his touchdown total from 2013 and has four catches of 40-plus yards -- the most he's had since 2011. : JulioJones, WR, Atlanta . One of the most talented receivers in the game today, Jones' bounceback effort is unfortunately getting lost in the ' troubled season.: McClain. Even in The Year of Crazy Storylines, the unlikely rise of the former (two-time) retiree is just plum loco.:MalcomFloyd, WR, San Diego . I know has been phenomenal thus far, but Floyd played just two games last year. The receiver is on pace for 940 yards on the season, too.: McClain. Back from the dead! What an incredible rebirth.: RobGronkowski, TE, New England . IF, that is, he can stay healthy for the ' final eight games.COACH OF THE YEAR: BruceArians, Arizona . Even while dealing with a slew of key personnel lo ses and a quarterback who has already mi sed time, Arians has the in first place in football's toughest division -- and with in hand.: Arians. The are 6-1 and leading the NFC West -- and their backup quarterback had to start three games.: Arians. He's very good at getting the most out of his players, even when it comes to the le ser talents. Consider that he collected 10 wins in his first season in the desert.: JimCaldwell, Detroit . Caldwell has quickly taught the how to play winning football despite dealing with a host of injuries on offense.: JasonGarrett, Dallas . Entering the season, most people saw Dallas as a bottom-dweller. Halfway in, this is the biggest surprise team in the NFL. Credit Garrett with changing the offensive philosophy and taking full advantage of an imposing O-line.: Arians. Here's another one that falls in the "obvious" category. The are in first place. Ahead of the . And the Niners. Is a hometown appearance a real po sibility?!:Arians. has done more with le s this year, having overcome player suspensions, guys going on IR and injuries we had . Give the man and his hat choices some due.: Garrett. was -- oy vey! is amazing and could go on to win the award, but at this point, the only answer is .: Caldwell. What was that about him riding the coattails of Tony Dungy and again? Dude can coach. Brent Suter Jersey