Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who suffered a horrific on-field cardiac arrest in 2023 and miraculously returned to action this year, will now win the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year award. He has become the most likely frontrunner…but should he? Nare?
The odds for Hamlin to win the award are currently -165. fan duel, is far ahead in this field. Current runner-up Joe Flacco signed with the Cleveland Browns and led the team to four straight wins and a playoff berth.
Flacco's odds are now +125, a big jump from last week's odds of +400. according to To Sports Illustrated.
Kudos to Hamlin, who should be an inspiration to all of us just by his presence on the field, but as a player this year he was just a special teams contributor. Flacco, on the other hand, was a revelation.
This tweet from YouTuber Just Max Productions highlights just how ridiculous Hamlin's Comeback Player of the Year case really is.
This is a tough race, both men make good points.
Joe Flacco – Bad last year, bad this year.
Damar Hamlin – deceased, not currently deceased https://t.co/feHWNnmKk9
— just max Productions (Hou Chronicle contributor) (@jmproductionsyt) December 29, 2023
Max satirically argues for both players. He tweeted, “Joe Flacco was bad last year, but he's bad this year. Damar Hamlin was dead, but he's not dead now.” (Related article: NFL cancels 'Monday Night Football' midway through game, players cry as defensive lineman suffers cardiac arrest)
It's clearly meant as a joke, but Max makes his point. Flacco was terrible for the Jets last year, but he's really been great this year.
The Browns replaced injured quarterback Deshaun Watson with Flacco, and he had a solid performance in the loss to the Rams. And the Super Bowl MVP did what no one thought was possible. He led the Browns to a four-game winning streak en route to their first and only playoff berth since 2020. The third In this millennium.
Flacco, who I and many others rate as a reserve at best and who will likely play in the NFL, has averaged over 323 yards per game in five contests. For comparison, the Miami Dolphins offense, currently the most explosive and productive passing attack in the league, averages over 273 passing yards per game. around teamranking.com. Flacco is nothing short of prolific.
Hamlin, on the other hand, has missed all but five of the Buffalo Bills' games this year, and the team often lists him as a healthy scratch player. Resilient safety is record He has two tackles during the season.
Obviously, Hamlin's stats are secondary to the obstacles he has overcome. His tenacity to overcome such a devastating health event and find his way back to the sport he loves is nothing short of miraculous. Truly, I would give him all the flowers in the world. But if we believe the NFL is still a meritocracy, we have to give awards to the people who deserve them.
Flacco's comeback was more than remarkable and truly epic. Just ask any Browns fan.
