[nesn_embed service=springboard src="//cms.springboardplatform.com/embed_iframe/899/video/1577521/nesn039/nesn.com/10"]

It's hard to believe, but by Sunday afternoon, we've just about reached the halfway point in the 2015 NFL season.

It seems like just yesterday U.S. District Judge Richard Berman was vacating Tom Brady's four-game suspension, doesn't it?

This NFL season is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable seasons in recent memory. So far, all we really know is that the New England Patriots are really good. There are also about 15 teams who really aren't very good. Everyone else in the middle? Who really knows?

That will be figured out in the recent weeks and months, as there's still plenty of football to be played. With that being said, we've gotta get into some midseason NFL awards. Here's how things should shake out, if the NFL just decided to cancel the rest of the regular season.

(Please don't do that, NFL.)

MVP: Tom Brady, New England Patriots

Duh. Honestly, is there any other pick at this point? If you were to cast a vote and did so for anyone other than Brady, you either hate him and/or the Patriots. There honestly can't be any other explanation. Brady's playing the game and the position at an all-time high level. This is like watching Michael Jordan or Babe Ruth in their primes. Not only is Brady playing out of his mind, it's not like anyone else in the league is really staking a claim for MVP, at least not through the first eight weeks. Aaron Rodgers looked like a possibility before throwing for just 77 yards Sunday against Denver. This is Brady's award to lose.

In contention: Rodgers, Andy Dalton, Carson Palmer

Offensive Player of the Year: Tom Brady, New England Patriots

I mean, what else are we supposed to do? Brady has completed 68.9 percent of his passes and is on pace for 40 touchdown passes and just two interceptions. And even that two-pick pace is high when you consider the only interception came on a Julian Edelman drop. His passer rating tops the league, and he's averaging more passing yards per game than anyone else. Additionally, it's not like anyone else is having a monster offensive year. Todd Gurley's the only running back averaging more than 100 yards per game, and none of the stud wideouts have done enough to stand out above Brady.

In contention: Julio Jones, DeAndre Hopkins, Rob Gronkowski, Devonta Freeman

Defensive Player of the Year: J.J. Watt, Houston Texans

This thing is still very much wide open. But for now, we're going with the familiar face. As ESPN.com pointed out earlier this week, Watt's actually ahead of his ridiculous 2014 pace. Don't forget: Watt was in the MVP conversation for a portion of the 2014 season. It feels like Watt's either approaching or already has entered the level where your achievements aren't heralded as much as they should be because expectations are so high. If you want a couple of darkhorse candidates, look no farther than Foxboro. Both Jamie Collins and Chandler Jones could make a case for the award when it's all said and done.

In contention: Collins, Jones, Charles Woodson, Aqib Talib, Josh Norman

Comeback Player of the Year: Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals

Carson Palmer entered the season as a 35-year-old coming off of a major knee injury that ended his 2014 season after just six games. He's picked up right where he left off, throwing 20 touchdown passes and leading the Cardinals to a 6-2 record to start the season. He had arguably his best game of the season Sunday, throwing for 374 yards and four touchdowns in a convincing win over Cleveland. The only problem with this pick is the uncertainty as to whether Palmer can stay healthy the rest of the season.

In contention: Adrian Peterson, Eric Berry, NaVorro Bowman

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Todd Gurley, St. Louis Rams

This is going to be one of the best races to watch in the season's second half. The Rams have to be considered a legitimate playoff contender now, and the biggest reason is the defense. The second-biggest reason? That would be Gurley. Now fully healthy, Gurley has been hell for opposing defenses. In his four full games this season, he's averaging 146 yards per game. He's averaging 6.4 yards per carry. Unsurprisingly, the Rams are 3-1 in those games, their only loss coming on the road in Green Bay.

In contention: Amari Cooper, Jameis Winston, Stefon Diggs

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Marcus Peters, St. Louis Rams

This has been an impressive crop of rookie defensive players, and there's a case to be made for multiple players here. We're gonna go with Peters, though, based on pretty balanced production. Peters is first among rookies with three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. He's second among rookies in passes defended with 14. He's also been in on 38 tackles. Basically, he's stepped in and become a legitimate force on the outside for Kansas City and figures to do so for a very long time.

In contention: Ronald Darby, Bud Dupree, Hau'oli Kikaha

Coach of the Year: Mike Zimmer, Minnesota Vikings

There are going to be a lot of folks who say Dan Quinn, and this isn't to take anything away from what Quinn's done in his first year with the Atlanta Falcons. However, we're giving the nod to Zimmer, who's gone under the radar to make the Vikings a playoff contender. The Vikings don't do one thing extremely well, but they've turned in consistent efforts for much of the season (save for a Week 1 stinker in San Francisco) and they seem to be well-prepared each week. Even while enduring the ups and downs of a young quarterback like Teddy Bridgewater, the Vikings continue to find ways to win.

In contention: Quinn, Bill Belichick, Ron Rivera, Gary Kubiak

Thumbnail photo via Stew Milne/USA TODAY Sports Images