Preseason NFL Predictions: Individual Player Awards Predictions & Playoffs/Super Bowl Picks

Yeah, Bears fans, it's that time of year again. It's the time of year where you mark the dates of the Bears/Packers games your calendar, as the 2014-15 football season has again dawned upon us.

And, it's time for my NFL Individual Player Awards Predictions and Super Bowl Predictions!

Bum-ba-bum-buuuuum!!!

Later today, the Packers visit the defending champion Seahawks to officially kick off the NFL season.

I will be predicting the winner of the following awards:

• MVP
• Offensive player of the Year
• Defensive player of the Year
• Coach of the Year
• Offensive Rookie of the year
• Defensive Rookie of the Year
• Rookie of the Year
• Comeback Player of the Year
• Division Winners
• Playoff Results
• Super Bowl Winner

Let's get started with the MVP award prediction:

MVP: Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers has better weapons at WR and RB than any other elite QB in the league, and there is no way Peyton Manning is doing what he did last year. Drew Brees comes at a close secon

Offensive Player of the Year: Drew Brees

Brees has a much easier schedule than Rodgers, and his weapons are just as good. The team drafted explosive WR Brandin Cooks, and their backfield has greatly improved. Rodgers will win MVP because he'll beat the better teams this year; Brees will win Offensive POY because his numbers will be better.

Defensive Player of the Year: Lavonte David

Lavonte David has everything. He's got the upside, the youth, and the proven talent. Last year, he led his team in tackles and interceptions. And he's a linebacker. And now, with proven defensive coordinator Leslie Fraizer and one of the best defensive-minded head coaches in the game, David will flourish and surprise many, proving just how high this stud's ceiling is.

Coach of the Year: Marc Trestman

Think about it. Trestman took the Bears offense from near-rock bottom to the second best in the league (scoring wise) in just one year. Had the Bears at least made the playoffs last year (even with that atrocious defense), Trestman would've won the COY award last year. Now, with the improved defense, and the still high-flying offense, Trestman will take this award as the Bears at least a wild-card spot and take the award this year. Lovie Smith and Bill O'Brien come second.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Carlos Hyde

Now, please, please, please don't jump all over me. First, let me explain myself. I know the Hyde pick is very bold, and I may be one of the only ones out there who will put his money on Hyde. However, this year, the race for ROY is wide open. A lot of people will say Brandin Cooks, but he'll come second to the Ohio State product. What he did as a Buckeye and what he did in the preseason cannot be overlooked. In a run-first offense, expect Hyde to get his fair share of goal-line carries because of his size - but he can also run in the open space. Frank Gore is getting old, Gore's playing level is greatly decreasing. Hyde will get much more carries than expected, and he will surprise many this year.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jadevon Clowney 

This guy is a freak athlete with tremendous talent. His potential is amazing. Along with JJ Watt, Clowney will have monster numbers as a rookie. Offensive lines won't know who to focus on. What he did as a Gamecock and his play in the preseason show that he is worth just as much as he's advertised.  

Rookie of the Year: Jadeveon Clowney

Although Hyde will surprise many, he's not the athlete that Clowney is. Additionally, Clowney will put up better numbers than Hyde. Plus, Hyde will be a backup to begin with in Week 1 with San Francisco, but Clowney will be racking up sacks and tackles right from the get go.

Comeback Player of the Year: Rob Gronkowski 

If you think back to a few years ago, Gronk was the best tight end in the league, and it wasn't even close. Although some people may disagree with me, Gronk's 2011 campaign was better than even Jimmy Graham's season last year. Even though Gronkowski was unable to stay healthy last year, he's still young, and, with a full year to rest, will come back stronger than ever next year (he's ready for Week 1), surpassing the expectations of many. Gronk is Tom Brady's favorite target, especially in the red zone. Julio Jones comes at a very close second.


Playoff/Super Bowl Predictions next.

PLAYOFF PICKS:

Division Winners

NFC

NFC North

1. Packers (2 seed)

2. Bears (6 seed)

3. Lions

4. Vikings

NFC South

1. Saints (3 seed)

2. Panthers

3. Falcons

4. Buccaneers

NFC East

1. Eagles (4 seed)

2. Cowboys

3. Giants

4. Redskins

NFC West

1. Seahawks (1 seed)

2. 49ers (5 seed)

3. Cardinals

4. Rams

Playoffs

Wild Card:

- (3) Saints over (6) Bears

- (5) 49ers over (4) Eagles

Division:

- (1) Seahawks over (5) 49ers

- (2) Packers over (3) Saints

Conference:

- (2) Packers over (1) Seahawks

AFC

AFC North

1. Steelers (4 seed)

2. Bengals (5 seed)

3. Ravens

4. Browns

AFC South

1. Colts (3 seed)

2. Texans

3. Titans

4. Jaguars

AFC East

1. Patriots (2 seed)

2. Jets

3. Dolphins

4. Bills

AFC West

1. Broncos (1 seed)

2. Chiefs (6 seed)

3. Chargers

4. Raiders

Playoffs

Wild Card:

- (3) Colts over (6) Chiefs (yes, I'm smelling deja vu here)

- (4) Steelers over (5) Bengals

Divisional:

- (1) Broncos over (4) Steelers

- (2) Patriots over (3) Colts

Conference:

- (2) Patriots over (1) Broncos

Super Bowl

(NFC) Packers over (AFC) Patriots - Score: 34 - 30

I'm predicting Aaron Rodgers' Packers to win the Super Bowl this season. Believe me, as a Bears fan, that's a prediction I don't want to make. But I predict Rodgers will come back and have an MVP - and Super Bowl winning - season.