Cincinnati Bengals' midseason awards

Most Valuable Player

Jim Owczarski: Andy Dalton

What a difference a year makes. At this time in 2014, Andy Dalton was considered the team's most valuable player as the Bengals started the season 5-2-1, and he was off to a solid start, statistically. He was setting career highs, even, in completion percentage and yards per pass attempt even though the Bengals weren't throwing as much. Now, Dalton is in the league's MVP conversation along with New England quarterback Tom Brady as the unbeaten Bengals are in the Super Bowl conversation.

Dalton is having a career year, in every sense of the phrase. He ranks in the top five in the NFL in rating, touchdowns and yards per completion, while being tied for sixth from the bottom of the league in interceptions by quarterbacks with at least 100 attempts. The Bengals have the league's third-best scoring offense and are in the top 10 overall in total offense and total passing. He has led three game-winning drives and is on pace to shatter his old career-high marks in many key categories.

Paul Dehner Jr: Dalton

Who else? The fifth-year quarterback churned out the best eight-game stretch of his career by a wide margin. He enters the second half of the season on pace for franchise records in yards, touchdowns and passer rating. With a full cast of weapons, he not only made fantastic throws, but excelled at moving protections, play-calls before the snap to place Hue Jackson's attack into the right play.

Beyond all the numbers, he led three fourth-quarter comebacks when the Bengals were on the brink of defeat. Twice against Baltimore, he led the team down for late touchdowns, he overcame a 17-point deficit against Seattle, then tossed the game-winning touchdown to A.J. Green in Pittsburgh. Fans and coaches alike demanded more from Dalton. He's delivered and then some.

Defensive Player of the Year

Dehner: Geno Atkins

His return to dominant form wrecks game plans on a weekly basis. While a case could be made for others like Adam Jones and Carlos Dunlap, neither put as much of a scare into offensive coordinators as Atkins. He's racked up six sacks, 11 quarterback hits and a forced fumble. Much of Dunlap's success leading the team in sacks and pressures comes by virtue of double teams directed at the defensive tackle. When looking at the major difference between the 2014 pass rush that ranked last in the NFL in sacks and this version - which already surpassed last year's total - it all points back to No. 97.

Owczarski: Atkins

I was talking with Bengals defensive line coach Jay Hayes about the improved pass rush thus far in 2015, and specifically the growth of defensive end Carlos Dunlap. And he stopped himself halfway through the conversation to remind me that having No. 97 back at full strength had a lot to do with all of the success across the front four. Dunlap, currently in the chase for the league lead in sacks, is also quick to point out that Atkins is a big reason for that. The former All-Pro looks like he'll be in that conversation again through a half season, as Atkins is on pace for double-digit sacks. He's commanding double teams and beating them, disrupting run plays, and just generally destroying the interior of offensive lines. He's been the best player on the Bengals' defense.

Biggest surprise

Owczarski: Dalton

I don't know if anyone outside of Paul Brown Stadium saw this coming, and considering that it's year five, maybe even some inside that facility weren't entirely sure he would break out the way he has. As someone who came in expecting to see good-but-not-great play out of the quarterback, I have to say I'm surprised that I've witnessed an MVP-caliber season to this point.

Dehner: Health

Hard to imagine a storyline of surprise larger than the rise of Andy Dalton into the national MVP conversation, but the remarkable Bengals' health does just that. Somehow, the team went the entire first half of the season without placing a single player on IR (doesn't count those from preseason). They've only missed two starts due to injury (if not counting Vontaze Burfict), the lowest number in the league. The only roster move they've made actually was an addition of Burfict to the 53-man roster. Even minor injuries haven't persisted; the week prior to the game against Pittsburgh only Leon Hall missed any practice due to injury. That's nearly impossible midseason in this league.

Biggest disappointment

Owczarski: Dre Kirkpatrick

Like Hill, the expectations for the fourth-year former first-rounder were very high to start the year. He finally cracked the starting lineup after showing flashes of greatness the last two seasons in more limited roles, but thus far Kirkpatrick has struggled at times in coverage, communication and tackling. With Adam Jones playing at a high level opposite him, teams have targeted Kirkpatrick, and he has yet to come up with an interception or force a fumble. He does have five passes defensed, which is tied for second on the team with nickel corner Leon Hall.

Dehner: Jeremy Hill

Hard to point out any disappointment on an offense ranked in the top five in almost every relevant offensive category. Still, the expectations were so high for Hill entering the season. A thought was he could lead the NFL in rushing, and concern existed around how Giovani Bernard would find touches. Halfway through the year, Bernard averages an extra 2.3 yards per carry, and - in the season's most important games - took the majority of fourth-quarter snaps. Hue Jackson expressed optimism over Hill's return to dominance in the second half of the season, but for the first half, nobody fell further below expectations. Of 30 running backs this season with at least 75 carries, Hill ranks 29th in yards per rush (3.31).

Play of the Year

Owczarski: A.J. Green's 80-yard touchdown at Baltimore

There have been better individual efforts to score a touchdown or more spectacular catches in terms of difficulty, but this is the play of the year thus far for what it represented. On the road, in Baltimore, and it was the immediate answer to an Andy Dalton turnover that led to a defensive touchdown and a deficit with less than half of the fourth quarter remaining. This play came 12 seconds after the Ravens scored on a fumble return, and it was the first time the Bengals had trailed to that point in the year. And while the Bengals would have to come back again with another touchdown late in that game – this was the marker that something was indeed, different, about this group.

Dehner: Game-tying field goal vs. Seattle

So many offensive gems could've made this list, but the precision and execution of the field goal at the end of regulation during the dramatic comeback victory against the Seahawks more represented what's made this team great the first half of the season. To perfectly orchestrate the moment of awareness running off, sprinting on, setting and knocking the kick down the middle with the pressure of the entire game on the line gets my vote. The game-tying Mike Nugent kick marked the first time in the 13 seasons under special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons that the Bengals used the fire-drill kick.

Most underrated player

Dehner: Vinny Rey

During the first six games without Vontaze Burfict, Rey not only held down his spot at linebacker, but became the nerve center of the entire defense. The 2010 undrafted free agent out of Duke made every call the first six weeks, only missed three snaps and even pulled down the game-clinching interception against San Diego. He continues as a centerpiece with Rey Maualuga (calf) out. He played every defensive snap Thursday. Nobody doubted Rey could step up, but his value to the team early in the year couldn't be discussed enough.

Owczarski: Rey

I'm not quite sure how a guy who plays nearly the entire game on defense and special teams and leads the team in tackles could be underrated, but he is. He won't be in any defensive player of the year or Pro Bowl conversations, but Rey held the linebacking corps together as they waited for Burfict to return, and he's been a stabilizing force in two really good kick coverage units. He's so versatile, too, in that he can start at all three positions at linebacker if needed.

Most overrated player

Owczarski: Jeremy Hill

This has more to do with weight of outside expectation placed upon Hill in the offseason, in that many felt the second-year back would carry the load of this offense. Well, now he's just a role player looking to capitalize on his touches, just like anyone else. The Bengals have only had to run the ball to keep defenses honest, not to win games.

Dehner: Reggie Nelson

Nelson enjoyed a quality game against the Steelers and gets credit for pulling in those two interceptions, but the veteran safety struggled with tackling through the first half of the year. Multiple long runs came with a Nelson miss in the middle of it. He also found himself in the middle of miscommunications that allowed broken-coverage touchdowns as well. The Bengals expect more from a veteran safety with Nelson's track record of success.

Coach of the year

Dehner: Hue Jackson

As much credit comes from the work done over the first eight games as it does the work done over the offseason. Jackson dedicated himself to the continued development of Dalton and made major breakthroughs. He helped bring the leader and relaxed orchestrator of the offense out of No. 14. Toss in his offense - jumping to third in the NFL in yards per play - using an onslaught of unique formations, shifts and play wrinkles and you have a man who will reside atop the list of many head coach searches this offseason.

Owczarski: Marvin Lewis

Like Dalton, Lewis is now in the conversation for the league coach of the year honors. From the beginning of the season – way back in the offseason when he changed the team schedule and how they were going to keep players healthy, to setting the tone about selfless play despite so many contracts coming due – to how he's let his assistants run their respective units, Lewis has done a great job setting this team up for the success it's had. And, once that success has started to come, he's been able to keep the team focused on the very next game, rather than get caught up in the attention.

Most improved

Owczarski: Carlos Dunlap

The Bengals paid the rangy defensive end several years ago for what he could turn in, and they're seeing that this year. He cut weight, he turned the focus inward, and set a goal of setting the NFL single-season record in sacks. Now, he may not get to that level – but he's well on his way to becoming the first defensive end in several years to crack the double-digit mark. He's also playing solidly against the run and has become a complete end.

Dehner: Atkins & Dalton

This will be my only cop out of giving out a co-recipient, but both played football at a completely different level compared to last year. Atkins. driving the defense, has almost double the number of sacks he racked up all of last season. Dalton's drastically improved his completion percentage, yards per attempt and touchdown-to-interception ratio. Most players will point out his largest step came as a leader in the locker room. Both were criticized heavily coming out of last season and both are the most valuable players on the team this year.

Quote of the year

Dehner: "I ate three double-stuffed Chipotle burritos."

The quote comes from a sit-down I did with the offensive line and - when asked who of the five would be the team's participant in the Nathan's Hot Dog eating contest - the history behind Kevin Zeitler's feasting prowess came to the surface. Still can't wrap my brain around the concept. Amazing. Zeitler admitted those three burritos in one sitting happened a while back, and that doesn't happen anymore. To which Russell Bodine chimed in, "Those were dark days."

Owczarski: "That's what it's all about -- just run and homie go get it."

Wide receiver Marvin Jones on the mindset of the Bengals' vertical passing game. Pretty simple.

Comeback Player of the year

Owczarski: Tyler Eifert

After having a torn labrum and dislocated elbow repaired in the offseason, it was fair to wonder what kind of player Eifert would be this season, at least in the early stages. And aside from a hefty brace on that elbow, you would never know he suffered such serious injuries. Instead, he looks every bit like the difference-making tight ends you see elsewhere in the league.

Dehner: Eifert

Only played eight snaps all of last season, repaired his dislocated elbow and also underwent shoulder surgery. He started playing with a large brace covering his left arm during training camp. Yet, he's emerged from a middling rookie season to one of the most productive tight ends in football. With nine touchdown receptions, he's on pace to score the most receiving touchdowns by any player since 2007. All nine of his touchdowns have come in the red zone. Nine red zone touchdowns receptions at the midpoint in the season stands as the most in the last 15 years. He's transformed the Bengals' ability to convert touchdowns.