The 2015-16 NFL awards show preview and predictions

SAN FRANCISCO — The NFL will hand out its major awards at its annual “NFL Honors” show on Saturday, and even though the NFC champion Carolina Panthers can’t attend (they’re busy with a game on Sunday), they’ll be a big part of the show.

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The Panthers will be represented well when the NFL hands out the awards. A certain quarterback seems to be a lock to get his first NFL MVP, to go with his Heisman Trophy. Here are the breakdowns of all the major awards:

NFL MVP

Candidates: Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton, Arizona Cardinals QB Carson Palmer, New England Patriots QB Tom Brady

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Candidates: Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton, Arizona Cardinals QB Carson Palmer, New England Patriots QB Tom Brady

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Candidates: Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt, St. Louis Rams DT Aaron Donald, Carolina Panthers LB Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers CB Josh Norman

The predictions are ….

COACH OF THE YEAR

Candidates: Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera, Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick

The prediction is …

COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Candidates: Kansas City Chiefs S Eric Berry, Arizona Cardinals QB Carson Palmer, San Francisco 49ers LB NaVorro Bowman

The prediction is …

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Candidates: Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston, Tennessee Titans QB Marcus Mariota, St. Louis Rams RB Todd Gurley, Oakland Raiders WR Amari Cooper

DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Candidates: Kansas City Chiefs CB Marcus Peters, Buffalo Bills CB Ronald Darby, New York Jets DE Leonard Williams

The predictions are …

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