The fact that the NFL awards are driven mostly by flash plays and highlights is likely to be proven yet again in February when Aaron Donald doesn’t win Defensive Player of the Year. After all, the only reason to explain his omission would be either his “lack” of highlight-reel plays or the AP simply growing bored with giving him the award every year. However, those are the kind of mistakes that PFF will not make.
Aaron Donald was once again the best defender in football this season, even if we can acknowledge that the gap between him and the field was closer this year than in seasons past.