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2018 NFL Honors: Early front-runners for MVP and other awards

By Erik Lambert

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 16: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on during warmups before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 16, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 16: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on during warmups before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 16, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 9: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks is hit by linebacker Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos after recovering a fumble off of a bad snap in the fourth quarter of at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 9, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 9: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks is hit by linebacker Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos after recovering a fumble off of a bad snap in the fourth quarter of at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 9, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Defensive Player of the Year

  1. Von Miller (Denver Broncos)
  2. Khalil Mack (Chicago Bears)
  3. Kiko Alonso (Miami Dolphins)

This seems to be a two-man race at the moment. Von Miller and Khalil Mack have had a great rivalry going for the past three seasons and even though they’re in different divisions now, it hasn’t stopped. Miller leads the league with four sacks and two forced fumbles through two games. He’s as unstoppable as he’s ever been.

Mack? There isn’t much to say. He fits Chicago like a glove and is already terrorizing quarterbacks with two sacks, two forced fumbles and a pick-six touchdown. The dark horse that people haven’t noticed so far is Kiko Alonso. Miami’s defense has played really well to open the season and he’s a big reason for it with 19 tackles, an interception, and two forced fumbles.

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