Offensive Player of the Year – RB DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys
It’s amazing to look at the rushing leaders list from 2014 and see just how much Murray outpaced everyone else: He has 80 carries more than LeSean McCoy – the 2nd ranked carrier, nearly 500 more yards than Le’Veon Bell – the 2nd ranked rusher, nearly 20 more yards/game than Arian Foster – the 2nd leading yards/game average and over 75 more touches than Le’Veon Bell – the 2nd most touches.
The Dallas Cowboys made the playoffs in 2014 for the first time in five years thanks almost entirely to the near-record setting pace of Murray, who also set an NFL record for consecutive games with 100+ rushing yards to start the season.
Sure, Beast Mode had more TDs and more “wow” plays, but Murray was the model of offensive efficiency that the Cowboys could rely upon to help set up the pass.
Defensive Player of the Year – DE J. J. Watt, Houston Texans
Not even a debate here. Finishing 2nd in the league in sacks with 20.5 sacks, an NFL-record 5 TDs by a non-offensive player (3 receiving, 1 pick-six, 1 fumble recovered for a TD), seven multi-sack performances and helping the Houston Texans go from 2-14 in 2013 to 9-7 in 2014 makes for not only one of the great defensive performances of all-time, but perhaps one of the great performances by any player ever.
It’s a damn shame his greatness emerged in the wrong year…
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