2004 NFL Awards

Heading into the season the Chargers were a mess picked by most to lose 10 or more games. However much like their QB Drew Brees it was a season of redemption for the Chargers who were the biggest surprise in the AFC winning the West with a 12-4 record, as Marty Schottenheimer who most had fitted for an axe at the start of the season had one of his finest season as Coach.

What more could Big Ben have done 13 starts 13 wins, Roethlisberger hardly looked like a rookie leading the Steelers to a 15-1 record, putting up steady numbers along the way while showing veteran ability at avoiding the big mistake. In just his first year Ben Roethlisberger is already a Pittsburgh legend with a sandwich named after him.

Last year Peyton Manning shared the MVP this year he stands alone sweeping the top 2 offensive awards. With 49 TD passes and a 121.1 QB rating with 4,557 yards passing Manning had one of the best seasons for a QB in NFL history. So dominate was Manning that 3 different receivers had more then 10 TD receptions, and over 1,000 yards, as the Colts ran away with AFC South with a solid 12-4 record, as the Colts offense amassed 522 points 76 more then any other team in the NFL. In one stretch alone Peyton Manning had 5 consecutive games with 4 or more TD passes with 6 games over 300 yards passing. Along the way Manning threw just 10 interceptions and was sacked only 13 times, as he had a QB rating over 90 in every game with exception of the finale in which he only played the first series of the game.

Last year the weakest part of the Jets was their soft defense against the run, with first round pick Jonathan Vilma the Jets strength became their defense, as 7 times this season they held a team scoreless after halftime led by vastly improved run defense. If his rookie year is any indication Vilma is going to be an All-Pro for years to come.

In a year where there was not a true standout performance on defense the award goes to the best defensive player on the best team and that is James Farrior. The Steelers defense won several games for them this year shutting down completely the Patriots and the Eagles in consecutive week, as the Steelers defense allowed just 251 points on the season on the way to a 15-1 record.

Last year Peyton Manning shared the MVP this year he stands alone sweeping the top 2 offensive awards. With 49 TD passes and a 121.1 QB rating with 4,557 yards passing Manning had one of the best seasons for a QB in NFL history. So dominate was Manning that 3 different receivers had more then 10 TD receptions, and over 1,000 yards, as the Colts ran away with AFC South with a solid 12-4 record, as the Colts offense amassed 522 points 76 more then any other team in the NFL. In one stretch alone Peyton Manning had 5 consecutive games with 4 or more TD passes with 6 games over 300 yards passing. Along the way Manning threw just 10 interceptions and was sacked only 13 times, as he had a QB rating over 90 in every game with exception of the finale in which he only played the first series of the game.