MVP: Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos

Manning came out firing on all cylinders in week one, and he’s spent the first half of the season cutting through opposing defenses like a hot knife through butter. The numbers are staggering: 2,919 yards, 29 TDs and a 71 percent completion rate. To put that into perspective, only five quarterbacks, including Manning himself, threw more touchdowns all of last season. He is currently on pace to break the NFL records for passing touchdowns and yards in a season and, even at 37 years old, shows no signs of slowing down.

Offensive Player of the Year: Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions

Johnson is very similar to LeBron James. Both have a rare combination of size, speed and explosiveness. Both have a vertical leap over 40 inches. Both demand double-teams and then routinely gouge the defense for at least three eye-popping plays a game anyway. All Johnson did last season was break the NFL record for receiving yards, and he could do it again. He already has 54 more yards than he did through eight games last year, not to mention coming within seven yards of the NFL record for receiving yards in a game in week eight.

Defensive Unit of the Year: Seahawks Secondary

Normally this award would go to a single player, but the entire Seahawks secondary has been outstanding this year. Seattle has the third-best pass defense in the league, allowing just over 184 yards a game. The vocal leader is Richard Sherman, whose penchant for trash-talking has won him few friends around the league. Nobody can deny the brash cornerback has the skills to back up the talk, though. Brandon Browner is one of the best cover corners in the league, and Earl Thomas is a ball-hawking safety who seems to be in on every play. The linebacker-sized safety Kam Chancellor rounds out this excellent unit.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Eddie Lacy, RB, Packers

Lacy is a big, bruising back with deceptive quickness who has provided huge value to the Packers by virtue of being a viable three-down running back. The Packers are currently fourth in the league in rushing, up from 20th last season, with Lacy emerging as a workhorse, averaging almost 19 carries a game. He’s also avoided fumbles, only losing the ball once so far while rushing for more than 74 yards a game, 11th in the league.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Kiko Alonso, MLB, Bills

This second-round pick out of Oregon has already become a leader on an admittedly subpar Bills defense. Alonso is the defensive signal caller, a sign that the coaching staff has a lot of trust in the young linebacker. His 81 tackles and four interceptions have him tied for the league lead in those categories. Alonso seems poised to anchor this Bills defense for years to come.