No Section

Mark Craig's midseason NFC North awards

By Mark Craig

November 3, 2018 at 10:32PM

Green Bay Packers cornerback Kevin King (20) and linebacker Blake Martinez (50) close in on Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson (33) on Oct. 7. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

MIDSEASON NFC NORTH AWARDS

MVP: Aaron Rodgers, Packers quarterback

Without his fourth-quarter heroics against the Bears and 49ers, the Packers are 1-5-1.

Offensive Player of the Year: Adam Thielen, Vikings receiver

His eight consecutive 100-yard receiving games matches the NFL record set by Calvin Johnson in 2012.

Defensive Player of the Year: Khalil Mack, Bears linebacker

Has missed two games because of an ankle injury, but his impact on the Bears has been immense.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Kerryon Johnson, Lions running back

The second-round pick, pictured above, is 12th in the league in rushing (466) and averages 6.1 yards per attempt.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Roquan Smith, Bears linebacker

Second on the team in tackles (41) and has two sacks for a unit that's top eight in points and yards allowed.

Coach of the Year: Matt Nagy, Bears

He has the Bears in first place and just one win from matching last season's total.

Biggest surprise: Lions beating Patriots 26-10 in Week 3.

Biggest disappointment: Vikings losing to Buffalo 27-6 in Week 3.

about the writer

Mark Craig

Sports reporter

Mark Craig has covered the NFL nearly every year since Brett Favre was a rookie back in 1991. A sports writer since 1987, he is covering his 30th NFL season out of 37 years with the Canton (Ohio) Repository (1987-99) and the Star Tribune (1999-present).