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2017 NFL Week 9 Wrap: The Midseason Report

Rob Woodfork | rwoodfork@wtop.com

November 7, 2017, 1:30 AM

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 05: Running back Corey Clement #30 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates his touchdown with teammate running back LeGarrette Blount #29 during the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Lincoln Financial Field on November 5, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles won 51-23. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON — Well, folks. We’ve reached the official midway point of the 2017 NFL season. Which mean’s it’s time for my favorite NFL Wrap of the year. I’ll give you my picks for the best and the worst of the first half of the season and get on record with a few predictions for the second half of the regular season. We’ll also mourn the loss of the league’s most explosive rookie in decades (which basically forced me to rewrite like half of this). Without further adieu, let’s get to the Midseason Report. (And don’t forget the updated NFL Week 9 Recap.) (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
Los Angeles Rams' Sammy Watkins (12) celebrates with teammate Robert Woods (17) as Cooper Kupp (18) watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Most Surprising Team: Los Angeles Rams I predicted the Rams would be a six-win team this year. They’ve already hit that win total at the season’s midway point, the franchise’s best start since 2001. I gave L.A. the edge over New Orleans because the Rams’ +108 scoring differential is tops in the league and lead a division nobody gave them a chance to win. Honorable mention: New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 15: Chris Thompson #25 of the Washington Redskins runs for 49 yards after a catch to set up a field goal in the second quarter of a game against the San Francisco 49ers at FedEx Field on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Most Surprising Player: Chris Thompson For the sake of variety, I’m excluding the explosive rookies that will be outlined ahead. The diminutive Thompson has turned into one of the most explosive players in the NFL and one of the few bright spots of the Redskins’ lost season, leading the team with five total TDs and proving himself a worthy replacement for the departed DeSean Jackson. No running back — or ‘Skins receiver — has more than Thompson’s 453 receiving yards, which is a surprising development for a team that’s underutilized that position for years. Honorable mention: Alex Smith, Julius Peppers (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree signals a first down during action against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Oakland, CA. The Raiders won 35-32. (Daniel Gluskoter/AP Images for Panini)
Most Disappointing Team: Oakland Raiders Many would put the Giants here but I told you before the season they were no good and the Raiders were widely assumed to be a playoff team. That’s no longer widely assumed. The Oakland offense has regressed in a major way and the defensive formula from 2016 (i.e. Khalil Mack is great, everyone else either sucks or underachieves) has carried over to 2017. Going 3-5 in what was supposed to be the easy half of the schedule is a bad look for the Silver and Black. Honorable mention: New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers (Daniel Gluskoter/AP Images)
Daniel Gluskoter/AP Images
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 05: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens throws a pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
Most Disappointing Player: Joe Flacco This is one of the easiest picks so far. I’ve never thought Flacco to be elite, but I also never assumed him to be the worst QB in the NFL. That’s how he’s playing in 2017, posting career lows in yards per pass attempt (5.3) and QB rating (72.7) along with an upside-down 8:10 TD/INT ratio despite being the sixth-highest paid QB in the league. To put Flacco’s failure in perspective, Eli Manning (who I view as Flacco’s closest comp) currently has every excuse Flacco does: No offensive line and a lack of quality targets. Yet Manning sports an 85.4 QB rating and a 12:6 TD/INT ratio. Numbers like those should be the worst case scenario for a good QB. Flacco has only four games this season above an 85 QB rating. Honorable mention: Terrelle Pryor, Derek Carr (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images
KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 30: Running back Kareem Hunt #27 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs through a huge hole against the Denver Broncos during the first half of the game at Arrowhead Stadium on October 30, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. ( Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images )
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Kareem Hunt This was going to be Deshaun Watson because what he’s doing at QB is remarkable. But his season-ending injury makes Hunt the slam dunk choice. No rookie comes close to Hunt’s 1,131 yards of offense and only Leonard Fournette has more than Hunt’s six total TDs. His speed and playmaking ability have helped Kansas City’s offense reach the next level. What a great third-round steal. Honorable mention: Deshaun Watson, Leonard Fournette (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images )
Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images
NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 29: Marshon Lattimore #23 of the New Orleans Saints intercepts the ball against the Chicago Bears at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Marshon Lattimore Lattimore got a ton of attention (including NFC Rookie of the Month in October) for his game-clinching interception of fellow rookie Mitchell Trubisky last week but the Saints corner is actually having one of the best rookie seasons in over a decade. It’s no coincidence the New Orleans defense stopped being terrible when he arrived. Honorable mention: Tre’Davious White, Myles Garrett (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Offensive Player of the Year: Kareem Hunt I don’t care that Hunt is a rookie. Nobody has been more electrifying and consistent on offense than he has. His 800 rushing yards lead the league and he’s topped 100 scrimmage yards in all but two games this season. He’s the most dangerous rookie running back since Earl Campbell — who, ironically, was the last rookie to win OPOY. Honorable mention: Deshaun Watson, Carson Wentz, Antonio Brown (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
AP Photo/Michael Dwyer
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell (93) celebrates a sack against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Defensive Player of the Year: Calais Campbell I give Campbell the slight edge over Everson Griffen because Campbell switched teams and defensive schemes in the offseason, yet still is in the midst of his best season in the pros, registering double digit sacks for the first time and anchoring one of the best defensive fronts in pro football. Honorable mention: Everson Griffen, Demarcus Lawrence, Micah Hyde (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
AP Photo/Jeff Roberson
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay washes his team play against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Coach of the Year: Sean McVay No matter what, I’m giving this award to a rookie coach named Sean Mac. I give McVay the nod over McDermott because the 31 year-old wunderkind has turned the Rams’ sewer water offense into fine wine (or a video game), scoring more points in eight games this year (263) than they did all of last year (224) and transforming Jared Goff from a bust into a Pro Bowler overnight. What we’re seeing in Los Angeles is truly special. Honorable mention: Sean McDermott, Doug Pederson (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack
Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas, second from left, avoids a tackle-attempt by Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) after intercepting a pass from Watson in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in Seattle. Thomas returned the interception 78 yards for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Comeback Player of the Year: Earl Thomas There really isn’t a close second here. Thomas was so disheartened by his season-ending leg injury last December that he pondered retirement. Last week he showed he’s back in a big way by running back an even bigger pick-six that was basically the difference in Seattle’s shootout victory over Houston. Thomas missed the loss to the Redskins with a hamstring injury but I’m sure he’ll return and double his two interceptions this season — which might be enough to get him in contention for Defensive Player of the Year. Honorable mention: Rob Gronkowski (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
AP Photo/Stephen Brashear
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 05: Quarterback Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against outside linebacker Shane Ray #56 of the Denver Broncos during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 5, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
MVP: Carson Wentz I was originally going to take Deshaun Watson here, an upset pick that would have made him the first rookie MVP nearly 40 years after Earl Campbell did it for Houston in 1978. But that damn ACL injury… So Wentz is the obvious choice. There are several reasons the Philadelphia Eagles are off to their fifth 8-1 start in franchise history, but Wentz is tops on that list. He already has three 4 TD games (including Sunday against Denver’s “No Fly Zone”). He’s the first Eagles QB to toss 23 TDs in his first nine games of a season (with just five picks). And his 104.1 QB rating ranks fourth in the league. Oh, by the way…the previous four times Philly started 8-1 they advanced to the championship game. The Eagles look poised to make it 5-for-5 and Wentz is the driving force behind it. Honorable mention: Alex Smith, Tom Brady, Deshaun Watson (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 29: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins walks off the field following the Redskins loss to the Dallas Cowboys at FedEx Field on October 29, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Second half predictions: The Redskins finish 7-9 in Jay Gruden’s best coaching job yet. I have no reason to deviate from my original preseason prediction for the ‘Skins, and Sunday’s inspiring win in Seattle justifies my belief. Kirk Cousins is still playing well behind a turnstile offensive line ravaged by injuries and the NFL’s age-old “next man up” credo has actually been somewhat prophetic on defense. Just keeping this team competitive should earn Gruden a few Coach of the Year votes. The Browns go 0-16. It’s really the only indignity this franchise has yet to suffer. Cleveland is winless through eight games for the second straight year and they really only have two good chances to steal a win, both on the road in consecutive weeks: November 26 at Cincinnati and then at the Los Angeles Chargers (who granted them their lone victory last season). There’s decent shot at an upset of the mediocre Ravens on December 17 but it just feels like another rock bottom campaign at the Factory of Sadness. Carolina will fall apart down the stretch. The Panthers just inexplicably traded away Kelvin Benjamin — their best receiver — at a time when they may or may not get Greg Olsen back healthy this season. That’s reportedly caused a rift within the locker room, the last thing an already struggling offense needs to deal with. Carolina’s defense will keep them competitive but they have divisional rematches with the Falcons and Saints on the road (the Panthers barely beat Atlanta Sunday and got blown out by New Orleans in Week 3). I get the sense the rift within the locker room grows larger and there’s a big shakeup in Charlotte come January. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images
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PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 05: Running back Corey Clement #30 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates his touchdown with teammate running back LeGarrette Blount #29 during the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Lincoln Financial Field on November 5, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles won 51-23. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Rams' Sammy Watkins (12) celebrates with teammate Robert Woods (17) as Cooper Kupp (18) watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 15: Chris Thompson #25 of the Washington Redskins runs for 49 yards after a catch to set up a field goal in the second quarter of a game against the San Francisco 49ers at FedEx Field on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree signals a first down during action against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Oakland, CA. The Raiders won 35-32. (Daniel Gluskoter/AP Images for Panini)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 05: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens throws a pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 30: Running back Kareem Hunt #27 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs through a huge hole against the Denver Broncos during the first half of the game at Arrowhead Stadium on October 30, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. ( Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images )
NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 29: Marshon Lattimore #23 of the New Orleans Saints intercepts the ball against the Chicago Bears at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell (93) celebrates a sack against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay washes his team play against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas, second from left, avoids a tackle-attempt by Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) after intercepting a pass from Watson in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in Seattle. Thomas returned the interception 78 yards for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 05: Quarterback Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against outside linebacker Shane Ray #56 of the Denver Broncos during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 5, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 29: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins walks off the field following the Redskins loss to the Dallas Cowboys at FedEx Field on October 29, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Rob Woodfork

Rob Woodfork is WTOP's Senior Sports Content Producer, which includes duties as producer and host of the DC Sports Huddle, nightside sports anchor and sports columnist on WTOP.com.

rwoodfork@wtop.com

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