With week eight of the NFL season having wrapped up with Monday night's Broncos v. Chiefs game, it is officially the halfway point of the year. This means that it is time to bestow mid-season awards among deserving players and find out who should take home MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and other major awards.

MVP: Alex Smith

While Alex Smith and the Kansas City Chiefs have cooled off a bit in recent weeks, he still barely edges out Carson Wentz for league MVP. He has the best quarterback rating in the league (115.4) and averages the most yards per attempt (8.42).

He is also second in the league in passing yards (2,181) and third in both completion percentage (69.1) and touchdown passes (16).

Smith is on pace to set career highs in every passing category except for completion percentage. He already has more passing touchdowns in seven games then he did last year in 15 games and is the only qualified quarterback to have not thrown an interception this season.

Last season, the Chiefs were 20th in yards per game (343) and 13th in points per game (24.3). This season, under an improved Alex Smith, Kansas City averages the second most yards per game (377.9) and the third most points per game (29.5). At 6-2, they are tied for the best record in the AFC and have the second-best record in the league.

OPOY: Todd Gurley

This season, Todd Gurley is fifth in rushing attempts (145), rushing yards (645) and tied for second in rushing touchdowns with five.

The Los Angeles Rams running back is averaging 4.3 yards per carry and 89.6 yards per game compared to the 3.2 yards per carry and 55.3 yards per game he averaged last season.

This season he is also sixth in the league among running back for catches (27) and yards (293) and is tied for second in receiving touchdowns with three.

He is on pace to have his best season in terms of rushing yards, touchdowns, receptions and receiving yards, while already having the most receiving touchdowns he has had in a season.

Last season, the Rams had the worst offense in the league, as they were dead last in yards per game (262.7), average points scored (14) and third-down conversion percentage (31.5 percent). This season, Todd Gurley has been a major key in their stunning turnaround on offense. The Rams are ninth in yards per game (369.1), second in points per game (30.3), and have the best third down conversion rate (49 percent).

DPOY: Calais Campbell

Veteran defensive end Calais Campbell is having arguably the best season of his career in his first year with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In seven games, the 31-year-old has 32 total tackles, a career-high 10 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He is currently tied for the second most sacks in the league and is well on his way to making his third Pro Bowl appearance.

However, he has also been a key player in helping to transform the team's defense. Last year, Jacksonville was 25th in points allowed (25 per game). This season, they are number one in the league, allowing only 15.7 points per game. In 2016, they were tied for 19th in sacks with 33.

OROY: Deshaun Watson

At the start of the season, it seemed that Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt would run away with the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, but Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has been amazing since taking over for Tom Savage in the second half of week one.

In six-and-a-half games, Watson is completing 61.8 percent of his passes for 1,699 yards and 19 touchdowns against only eight interceptions. He has a 103 quarterback rating, which is currently fifth best in the league and he is averaging 8.33 yards per attempt, the second most in the league.

He is also making plays with his feet, as he has 269 yards (7.5 yards per attempt) and two touchdowns. Houston is 3-3 with him as the starter and they average the most points per game (30.7). They also heavily rely on Watson, as their defense has lost two of their best players for the season and starting running back Lamar Miller is only averaging 3.6 yards per carry.

DROY: T.J. Watt

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J.

Watt started the season strong, recording six tackles, two sacks and an interception in the season opener against the Cleveland Browns. So far, he has 27 total tackles, four sacks, and an interception in seven games. Watt has the second most sacks among rookies and is one of only two rookies (Tyus Bowser) with at least two sacks and an interception.
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