J.J. Watt: No MVP; Wins Defensive Player of Year Award

Houston Texans fans — what we had been waiting for what seemed like eons to find out is finally a reality.

The announcement of the NFL honors was made and J.J. Watt was honored.

He just received the wrong award.

Last night, Watt received accolades as being the Associated Press’ Defensive Player of the Year.

KHOU’s Daniel Kotera reports:

#Texans DE J.J. Watt has been named NFL Defensive Player of the Year. It's the first time in league history the vote was unanimous
— Daniel Gotera (@DTGotera) February 1, 2015

It also marks the first time the vote was unanimous for one player — he received all 50 votes.

We all knew he was a shoo-in for Defensive Player of the Year; but honestly, as a Texans’ fan, I wanted more because I felt he deserved more.

He deserves that MVP award.

I can’t think of a player who made such a difference on the football field than he has.

He certainly a huge reason why the Texans finished the season 9-7 because his high level of play affected both sides of the football field.

Watt finished 2nd in the MVP voting behind the Green Bay Packers’ gunslinger Aaron Rodgers.

Gotera also reported on how the votes were broken down:

Aaron Rodgers receives 31 first place votes. J.J. Watt finishes 2nd with 13 votes #Texans
— Daniel Gotera (@DTGotera) February 1, 2015

That’s quite a distinction — that means that Watt received nearly 26 percent of the total votes meaning that there were many voters who thought he deserved the award as well.

I honestly feel that if the Texans would’ve made the playoffs, he candidacy would’ve been a lot greater but who knows?

He still might have lost to Rodgers.

He plays a defensive position and it’s tough competition against quarterbacks to which in writer’s eyes are more important in terms of total effect of team play.

But you know what?

I’m positive that he will win the award eventually in his career because he’s just too damn talented for his own good.

The Houston Chronicle’s John McClain, who voted for Watt, provided a optimistic prediction for next season:

If he stays healthy next year, Watt can win MVP and join Taylor as only 3-time winners of Defensive Player of the Year Award.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) February 1, 2015

I certainly hope that’s the case because he has the opportunity to make next season just as historic as this one.

Watt, 25, finished the 2014 season with 20.5 sacks, 78 combined tackles, 10 passes defended, five fumble recoveries, four forced fumbles , one safety and five touchdowns.

Three of those those touchdowns were receiving, one off a fumble and the last one was off an interception for an 80-yard return that was heard ’round the world!

It also marks the first time a defensive player was able to record multiple 20-sack season since the stat became officially record in 1982.