Well, folks, you have almost made it through the bye week, an important time for the players but often an excruciating time for the fans. A week without Denver Broncos football in the middle of the season is never easy for the Orange & Blue faithful.

With the bye winding down, though, and the team back to work on Monday, we decided to give out our team awards for the weeks that led up to the break.

Check it out!

MVP

T.J. Ward

This award could go to a lot of players but one Bronco who has really stuck out and played arguably the best football of his career is T.J. Ward. Ward has been everywhere—literally—for the Denver Broncos this season. He has played free safety, strong safety and even linebacker for the staunch defense and had success in all three positions. No. 43 been strong in coverage, helped stuff the run game and pierced the backfield as a blitzer.

The seventh-year veteran even earned himself a spot as one of three newly- appointed midseason captains with his play. Play that has included a team-leading 66 tackles, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception.

Ward has found a way to exceed the high expectations put on him before the season and broguht the Broncos arguably the best safety play in the league.

Honorable mention: Aqib Talib (without the injury, this very well may have gone to him)

Rookie of the Year

Will Parks

While other rookies, such as Devontae Booker,  have seen more action on the field than Will Parks, few have been as impactful and strong in their time.

Parks, who says one of his biggest influences is the player listed above, is already looking to be the next in a long line of John Elway’s late-round draft steals. The sixth-rounder out of Arizona has notched 14 tackles and an interception on the year, while playing in just 17 percent of the defensive snaps.

Parks has also played in 69 percent of the team’s special teams snaps and done exceptionally well in that phase, even without the play you’ll see win an award next.

Devontae Booker has a great chance to take this award from Parks in the last six games but No. 34’s play, compounded with his value has him in the lead right now.

Honorable mention: Andy Janovich

Play of the Year

The Block in the Bayou

This was a no-brainer. The play of the year—and maybe the craziest play since Brandon Stokley’s tip-six—goes to Justin Simmons, Will Parks and, of course, special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis for their game-winning play in New Orleans.

With the Saints an extra point away from beating the Broncos, DeCamillis made the call, Simmons jumped the line and blocked the kick and Parks scooped it up and took it the length of the field to give the Broncos a two-point conversion and a two-point win.

Asked if there was a contest to see who best jump the line, Simmons told BSN Denver that DeCamillis had just appointed him to the job of “leaper” the week of the game due to the previous leaper, Kayvon Webster, nursing a sore hamstring.

Honorable mention: Riley Dixon’s 68-yard punt at the end of the Chargers game. The rookie delivered his best play in his biggest moment. Another game winner.

Coach of the Year

Wade Phillips

This honor could truly go to a multitude of coaching staff members. It could be argued that the coaching staff is the strength of this team, but it would be tough not to, once again, put the praise on the Broncos’ defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips.

Much like last season, Phillips has his defense at or near the top of a plethora of defensive categories. The Broncos rank first in the league in net passing yards allowed per game, third in net yards allowed per play, fifth in net yards allowed per game, all while giving up less than 19 points per game.

The longtime coach has been a genius for two years in Denver, putting his talented players in a position to succeed over and over again. While it’s still a long ways away, another magical Broncos’ run could give Wade Phillips a great argument as the best defensive coordinator of all time.

Honorable mention: Joe DeCamillis. DeCamillis has been pushing the right buttons on special teams and, despite the loss, handled things very well in his role as interim coach.

Underrated Player of the Year

Darian Stewart

Darian Stewart may not be underrated in Denver anymore, but across the country he still doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Stewart’s play has reached such a high level that he should seriously be mentioned in any conversation about the best safeties in the league.

The seventh-year player ranks fourth on the team in tackles, but it seems all 43 of his takedowns have sent a message. Stewart has also added four takeaways on the season.

The Broncos defense is so full of stars that is seems sometimes the shine of the brightest can blind people from the shine of others. Stewart, who Gary Kubiak knew from his days in Baltimore, may be one of the best value signings in the NFL over the past few years.

Honorable mention: Andy Janovich. Fullbacks never get the love they deserve. As evidenced by Janovich narrowly missing out on two of these prestigious awards.

Position Group of the Year

This is actually just a test to see if you’re paying attention. If you read the 900 words before this, you know who wins this one.

With six weeks left in the season, there is still plenty of time for these players and coaches to be unseated for the final awards, but right now they are on the right track. We’ll revisit our awards when the Broncos wrap up their season.