Judge's awards: Jets' Revis takes off with defensive honors

Prisco's 2009 awards: Johnson runs away with Offensive POY

Normally, we reserve our end-of-the–year awards until -- uh-huh, the end of the year. But this year there's no use waiting around for another Curtis Painter fumble before making our decisions. The jury is in, and the verdicts are here.

So let's get on with the show:

MVP: Colts QB Peyton Manning. This is becoming as common in December as another Philip Rivers victory. Manning does more with less than anyone out there. So he loses Marvin Harrison. No sweat, he has Austin Collie. So he loses Anthony Gonzalez, too. Big deal. He has Pierre Garcon. There are some quarterbacks out there who couldn't have navigated those speed bumps, but Manning isn't one of them. He makes everyone around him better, and isn't that the definition of an MVP?

Runners-up: Saints QB Drew Brees and Chargers QB Philip Rivers.

Offensive Player of the Year: Titans RB Chris Johnson. This one was easy, too. Johnson probably breaks 2,000 yards rushing Sunday and may threaten Eric Dickerson's single-season record of 2,105, but we're just getting started. He leads the league in yards from scrimmage and in first downs. He's third in touchdowns. And he's numero uno in videotape highlights. There is nothing Chris Johnson hasn't done this season that hasn't been marvelous. So his team is 7-8 -- don't blame him. Remember the Titans? Not this year. I'll remember Chris Johnson.

Runners-up: Manning and Brees.

Defensive Player of the Year: Jets CB Darrelle Revis. This was the toughest decision on the board. It was Revis or Charles Woodson, but Revis is the closest thing I've seen to a shutdown cornerback in an age where there aren't any because of rule changes. The guy throws more shutouts than Orel Hershiser, and the list please: Andre Johnson did nothing against him. Neither did Marques Colston. Or Reggie Wayne. Or Randy Moss -- twice, no less. Revis is the surest thing in NYC outside of another transit hike, and he's one reason the Jets are not the "M-E-S-S, Mess! Mess! Mess!" they were a year ago at this time.

Runners-up: Woodson and Broncos LB Elvis Dumervil.

Coach: Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati. He didn't have the best record, but he did have the toughest mountain to climb. The wife of his defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer, died in October. His second-best receiver, Chris Henry, died this month. Lewis changed his offensive philosophy. He relied on a running back no one wanted. He overhauled his offensive line. And yet he won, and he won a division that includes the two conference championship game participants and the defending Super Bowl champion. Who dey? Who dey? Who dey think gonna beat dem Bengals? All together now: Nobody.

Runners-up: Norv Turner, San Diego and Jim Caldwell, Indianapolis.

Assistant coach: Zimmer. This is not a sympathy vote, yet I don't see how someone maintains the composure and strength that Zimmer showed in the wake of his wife's sudden death. Not only did he keep working, he kept himself and his defense together in one of anyone's worst moments. Three days after his wife, Vikki, died, Zimmer and his defense stuffed Baltimore en route to a 17-14 come-from-behind win. "Emotion is the name of the game," said linebacker Dhani Jones. There was plenty in the Bengals locker room this season.

Runners-up: Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers and Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine.

Offensive rookie: Vikings WR Percy Harvin. Every time this guy touches the ball, something explosive happens. He returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, produced scores in four of five games and had trouble with almost nothing other than recurring migraines. Harvin can run, he can catch, he can return kickoffs and he can score. More important, he's the big-play threat the Vikings were looking for -- that is, before Brett Favre discovered Sidney Rice. Anyway, Harvin's versatility and his explosiveness make him an invaluable asset and a building block for years to come.

Runners-up: Ravens T Michael Oher and Colts WR Austin Collie.

Defensive rookie: Texans LB Brian Cushing. He was the first USC linebacker chosen in this year's draft, and now you see why. He makes plays, and he makes a lot of them. Not only does he lead the Houston Texans in tackles, he leads the AFC. Nine times this season, he either led the Texans or tied for the team lead in tackles. He leads his team in interceptions, too, and has four sacks -- and all that after missing the preseason with a sprained knee and playing with a sore foot most of this season. Cushing is so good he has more stops than teammate DeMeco Ryans, and all he did was lead the club the past three seasons. Someone in Houston knows how to draft linebackers.

Runners-up: Bills S Jairus Byrd and Redskins LB Brian Orakpo.

Comeback player: Patriots QB Tom Brady. He didn't just suffer a horrible knee injury. He suffered through complications in his recovery, with skeptics wondering if he'd recover in time to suit up for this year's season opener. He not only was there, he was there leading New England to a come-from-behind victory. Yep, nothing much has changed around Foxborough. Brady was named to the Pro Bowl, and he should have been. If he's not the quarterback he was before the injury, he's close. All I know is that as long as Tom Brady is in the lineup the Patriots are Super Bowl threats. Welcome back, Tom. The NFL missed you.

Runners-up: Titans QB Vince Young and Bengals QB Carson Palmer.

Best free-agent pickup: Vikings QB Brett Favre. OK, so he's not been all that hot the last four games. There was nothing wrong with him Monday night in that loss to Chicago. In fact, if you closed your eyes to avoid the purple haze you would have thought you were witnessing vintage Favre from six or seven years ago. And it was vintage Favre, something we've seen a lot of that this season -- in fact, more than I ever expected. At 40, Favre is having one of his best years ever, with the most startling figure his interceptions. He only has seven. Moreover, he has Minnesota on top of its division and back in the Super Bowl conversation, and let me ask you: Could Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels have done that? I think we all agree on the answer.

Runners-up: Saints S Darren Sharper and Broncos S Brian Dawkins.

Most surprising team: Cincinnati. The Bengals play in a division with Pittsburgh and Baltimore, the two teams that met in last season's conference championship game, and they play in the same division as the defending Super Bowl champion. Yet Cincy not only overcame them, it sailed through the AFC North without losing a division game. Pittsburgh and Baltimore are known for their rough, tough, we-take-no-guff approach to football, but it was the Bengals -- not the Ravens or Steelers -- who were the most physical team in their division. Marvin Lewis, we salute you.

Runners-up: New Orleans and Dallas.

Most surprising player: Cowboys WR Miles Austin. He leads the NFC in receiving yards. He leads the Cowboys in touchdowns. He averages 16.6 yards a catch, which is more than Andre Johnson, Randy Moss and Brandon Marshall. In short, it is Austin -- not Roy Williams -- who is the Cowboys' best receiver, and no wonder Dallas didn't hesitate to cut Terrell Owens loose. It had Austin, and don't tell me he caught the Cowboys by surprise. He didn't, and I know because I listened to Jerry Jones at the winter league meetings. "The art of the deal," he said, "is deciding if Miles Austin is right there with a Terrell ... relative to what he can do for your offense. If he's close you're ahead of the game because of where they are in their careers. And he's close." Austin has 74 catches for 1,230 yards and 11 TDs. Owens has 51 receptions for 761 yards and four TDs. Game, set, match to Jerry Jones.

Runners-up: Jaguars WR Michael Sims-Walker and Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles.

Poll Who is the 2009 NFL MVP? 42% Peyton Manning   17% Chris Johnson   15% Philip Rivers   14% Drew Brees   5% Darrelle Revis   8% Charles Woodson   Total Votes: 12168

Most disappointing team: New York Giants. Two years ago, they were the Super Bowl champs. One year ago, they were the best team in the NFC. Now, they're just another bunch of guys who can't tackle, can't rush the quarterback and can't make the playoffs. There is a lot wrong with this club, and you can start with the defense. It flat-out stinks, and Hall of Fame linebacker Harry Carson said something along those lines after the club was destroyed by Carolina. Defense is to the Giants what oxygen is to you and me. Without it, they're dead ... and they're DOA, folks.

Runners-up: Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans.

Most disappointing player: Bears QB Jay Cutler. Don't say you weren't warned. I never liked the pickup of this guy, and now you know why. He doesn't fit the Bears. He didn't have a great offensive line, he didn't have outstanding receivers and, too often, he didn't have a clue. So he looked good the other night -- big deal. He leads the league in interceptions, and he's 6-9 this season and 23-29 for his career. I don't question his ability. He has more of it than most big-time quarterbacks. I question his leadership. There's a reason he hasn't won since high school, and it's not his defenses, his offensive lines or his receivers. It's him. Time to grow up, Jay, and start acting like a winner.

Runners-up: Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell and Owens.

Most improved player: Bengals RB Cedric Benson. Another uplifting story out of Cincinnati, where careers and reputations were reborn this season. Benson was cut by the Bears after he floundered as a running back and struggled with off-the-field issues. OK, so that happens. But this doesn't: The former first-round pick wasn't picked up by anyone until the Bengals called in late September 2008 -- and then it was only because they had to replace an injured back. Benson promised his new teammates he wouldn't disappoint them, and he hasn't. Not only did he become a starter, he became a force -- the AFC's fifth-leading rusher and the first impact back in Cincinnati in years. If you're looking for reasons to explain the Bengals' turnaround, start here.

Runners-up: Vikings WR Sidney Rice and Patriots LB Tully Banta-Cain.

Most unsung player: Ravens RB Ray Rice. Too bad the Ravens weren't more successful. Rice might have gotten some MVP attention ... that is, after the Peyton Manning bandwagon left town. And Rice should. The guy has done everything but carry the Ravens' banners into the stadium. He leads the team in rushing, receiving and first downs and is second only to Tennessee's Chris Johnson in yards from scrimmage. Rice averages more than 5 yards a carry. He was the first back in 33 games to run for 100 yards against Pittsburgh, and he produced 204 yards from scrimmage in one half against Detroit. Once upon a time, the city of Baltimore rallied behind a slogan that read, "Baltimore is Best." Bring it back, people, only make it Ray Rice.

Runners-up: Chargers WR Vincent Jackson and Broncos QB Kyle Orton.

Best game: The Colts' come-from-behind defeat of New England. When they sent around Christmas cards, I hope the Indianapolis Colts made sure to reserve one for Bill Belichick. Sure, they won this one fair and square, but they won with a little help -- correction, a lot of help -- from their friend, Mr. Belichick. It was his decision to go for it on fourth-and-2 that opened the door for Peyton Mannning & Co. and that puzzled his strongest supporters. "This is the worst coaching decision I've seen Coach Belichick make," said NBC's Rodney Harrison, a former starting safety for Big Bill. Couldn't agree more, Rodney.

Runners-up: Tennessee's last-second defeat of Arizona with a 99-yard drive and Pittsburgh's last-second defeat of Green Bay.

Best moment: The Lions' defeat of Washington, ending a 19-game losing streak. When Detroit wanted a bailout, it turned to Washington, and hail to the Redskins. Their first six opponents had no victories when they met them, yet they produced a 4-2 record vs. Washington. Ah, yes, Washington: First in war, first in peace and last in the NFC East. When Jim Zorn gets fired his team's loss to Detroit will be high in the story. And it should. This was the best thing to happen to Detroit since Denny McLain won 31 games.

Runners-up: Favre's last-second TD pass to beat San Francisco and Young's last-gasp touchdown pass to beat Arizona, climaxing a 99-yard drive that featured three fourth-down conversions and one on third, all with Young passing.

Worst moment: The death of Cincinnati wide receiver Chris Henry. We start the season with the death of Steve McNair, and end it like this. Once upon a time our biggest concerns with players were injuries. Now, it's someone getting caught in the wrong spot at the right time, with a funeral to follow. By all accounts, Henry was trying to turn his life around. I didn't know much about Henry, but I saw what effect his death had on his teammates. Sad.

Runners-up: The passing of Vikki Zimmer, wife of Cincinnati defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and Tennessee owner Bud Adams reminding Buffalo fans who's No. 1.

Best trend: The NFL waking up to the severity of concussions and acknowledging that they're more than "dings," as coaches used to term them. Concussions are serious head injuries, and it's about time the league did something to protect its players from suffering them again and again. Admitting that there might be a correlation between recurring concussions and dementia is a start. Revising the NFL's policy toward concussions is another step. Now the league is trying to educate everyone in and around the game that pro football is a violent, physical sport that can and does produce serious head trauma, and too bad someone didn't pass the message on to Mike Leach.

Runners-up: Sanity in Oakland (and I'm talking about the benching of JaMarcus Russell) and parity in one conference, with any of the six NFC clubs capable of making it to the Super Bowl.

Worst trend: Firing offensive coordinators before the season. There were three, and I can't remember a demolition derby like that since the last time Seattle took the field. Firing them was supposed to make their clubs better, but let's look at the evidence: Kansas City, Tampa Bay and Buffalo are a combined 11-34. Worse, no offense ranks higher than 26th in yards or 25th in points. Next time, people, either practice a little patience or don't hire these guys at all.

Runners-up: Interviewing coaching candidates before your head coach has been fired (yes, I'm talking about you, Daniel Snyder) and the enormous disparity between the haves and have-nots in the NFL.