# 2026 NFL Midseason Awards: Expert Picks

> Experts predict Bengals QB Joe Burrow wins MVP as NFL season hits halfway.
- Title: 2026 NFL Midseason Awards: Expert Picks · CBS Sports
- Summary: Experts predict Bengals QB Joe Burrow wins MVP as NFL season hits halfway. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is named MVP by NFL experts for his strong…
- Keywords: nfl, bengals, joe burrow, mvp, super bowl, coach of the year, offensive player of the year, defensive player of the year, offensive rookie of the year, defensive rookie of the year, comeback player of the year, protector of the year
- Source: CBS Sports — https://cbssports.com/nfl/news/2026-nfl-midseason-awards-expert-picks-super-bowl-mvp-coach-of-year-opoy-more
- Published: 2026-11-12T16:52:56+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nfl, bengals, joe burrow, mvp, super bowl, coach of the year, offensive player of the year, defensive player of the year, offensive rookie of the year, defensive rookie of the year, comeback player of the year, protector of the year
## NFL Season Midway
The NFL season is halfway through with Week 10 starting tonight.
## Super Bowl Favorites Shift
The Rams entered as Super Bowl favorites but now lag in playoff chances with injuries.
## Giants Lead NFC East
The Giants lead the NFC East despite using three different starting quarterbacks.
## Chargers Winless
The Chargers are the league's only winless team after back-to-back 11-win seasons.
## MVP Picks
Bengals QB Joe Burrow leads with 11 votes for MVP after four games with at least four touchdowns each.
## Offensive Player of the Year
Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads with 6 votes for Offensive Player of the Year after 1,036 receiving yards.
## Defensive Player of the Year
Texans EDGE Will Anderson Jr. leads with 6 votes for Defensive Player of the Year after 9.5 sacks.
## Offensive Rookie of the Year
Browns WR Denzel Boston leads with 7 votes for Offensive Rookie of the Year after 507 receiving yards.
## Defensive Rookie of the Year
Giants LB Arvell Reese leads with 9 votes for Defensive Rookie of the Year after 65 tackles.
## Comeback Player of the Year
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes leads with 9 votes for Comeback Player of the Year after returning from ACL/LCL injury.
## Protector of the Year
Lions T Penei Sewell leads with 12 votes for Protector of the Year after seamless transition to left tackle.
## Coach of the Year
Giants coach John Harbaugh leads with 7 votes for Coach of the Year after 5-2-1 record.
## Key takeaway

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is named MVP by NFL experts for his strong first-half performance in the 2026 season.