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11/12/2026 - College football delivered another weekend of seismic national shockwaves as No. 4 Notre Dame outlasted top-ranked Miami 31-24 in a thrilling top-tier showdown. The Fighting Irish built a commanding early lead in South Bend before desperately holding off a furious late-game charge by the Hurricanes. Meanwhile, No. 2 Georgia capitalized on the chaos by hammering No. 12 Mississippi 42-7, completely upending the projected College Football Playoff race as November heating up.

I asked Gemini for its thoughts on who who are the front runners for dpoy and opoy in the NFL this season and why. Here are its thoughts.

Entering Week 10 of the 2026 NFL season, both Player of the Year races have narrowed into clear multi-candidate battles. On defense, an early-season knee injury to reigning unanimous DPOY Myles Garrett blew the field wide open. On offense, non-quarterbacks continue to own the OPOY race as three skill-position stars separate themselves from the pack.

🛡️ Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) Front-Runners

1. Will Anderson Jr. (DE, Houston Texans) — The Clear Favorite (+162 to +175)

After finishing as the DPOY runner-up in 2025, Anderson has taken full control of the race.

The Numbers: Leads the NFL with 9.5 sacks through eight games, paired with 35 total tackles and 12 tackles for loss.
Why He Leads: As the centerpiece of Houston’s defensive front, Anderson has been nearly unblockable off the edge, generating steady weekly pressure and wrecking opposing game plans on early downs.

2. Fred Warner (LB, San Francisco 49ers) — The Top Non-Edge Challenger (+500 to +550)

Inside linebackers rarely win DPOY in the modern era, yet Warner remains Anderson’s closest challenger.

The Numbers: 77 total tackles (36 solo) through nine weeks, highlighted by a 17-tackle eruption against Arizona in Week 3.
Why He’s in the Mix: Warner’s sideline-to-sideline range in pass coverage, run-fit discipline, and role as the defensive orchestrator for a dominant 49ers unit keep him firmly in the top two.

3. Dallas Turner (EDGE, Minnesota Vikings) — The Rising Pass-Rush Threat (+750 to +825)

Minnesota took the training wheels off Turner in Year 3 by expanding his defensive snap share to 85%, and the production followed immediately.

The Numbers: 25 total tackles alongside high-impact sack and pass-deflection production in Brian Flores' aggressive front.
Why He’s Surging: Turner’s closing speed and third-down disruption have turned him into one of the league's most dangerous edge rushers down the stretch.

4. Jeffery Simmons (DT, Chicago Bears) — The Trade-Deadline Mover (+850 to +900)

Simmons was the headline acquisition of the 2026 NFL trade deadline, moving from Tennessee to Chicago in exchange for multiple first-round picks.

The Numbers: 48 total tackles, 6.0 sacks, and 6.5 stuffs/tackles for loss through nine weeks.
Why He’s Climbing: Generating that level of interior disruption while transitioning onto a contending Bears roster gives Simmons strong late-season narrative momentum.

(Other notable contenders include Bills DE Greg Rousseau with 8.0 sacks and heavy pressure volume, and Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt at 7.5 sacks.)

⚡ Offensive Player of the Year (OPOY) Front-Runners

1. Jahmyr Gibbs (RB, Detroit Lions) — The Betting Favorite (+165)

With David Montgomery traded away during the offseason, Gibbs inherited bell-cow duties in Detroit and has delivered historic dual-threat efficiency.

The Numbers: Leads the NFL with 1,132 scrimmage yards (847 rushing, 285 receiving) and is tied for the league lead with 11 total touchdowns (9 rushing, 2 receiving).
Why He Leads: Gibbs is the primary offensive engine for a 6-2 Lions squad, combining explosive perimeter runs with high-volume receiving production out of the backfield.

2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR, Seattle Seahawks) — The Triple-Crown Threat (+220)

The reigning 2025 OPOY is mounting a legitimate bid to become the first wide receiver ever to win the award twice—and the first repeat winner since Marshall Faulk (1999–2001).

The Numbers: Leads the NFL in receiving yards (1,036) and receiving touchdowns (9) while ranking second in receptions (71), topping 100 receiving yards in six of his first eight games.
Why He’s Right Behind: If Smith-Njigba closes out the receiving triple crown for Seattle, voters will have a difficult time denying him back-to-back honors.

3. Kenneth Walker III (RB, Kansas City Chiefs) — The Explosive Offseason Addition (+450)

Joining Kansas City gave Patrick Mahomes’ offense a true home-run threat in the backfield.

The Numbers: Ranks second in the NFL with 872 rushing yards (5.5 yards per carry) and is tied with Gibbs for the league lead with 11 scrimmage touchdowns on 26 fewer touches—fresh off a three-touchdown outing against the Jets in Week 9.
Why He’s in the Race: Walker opened the season as the first player in 40 years to post 175+ scrimmage yards in each of his team's first two games and leads the NFL with five multi-touchdown performances.

4. Bijan Robinson (RB, Atlanta Falcons) — The Workhorse Challenger (+1500)

The Numbers: Leads the league in pure rushing with 880 rushing yards on 169 carries alongside 5 rushing touchdowns.
Why He’s in the Mix: Despite Atlanta navigating quarterback turbulence early in the year, Robinson has consistently produced against stacked boxes as the Falcons' offensive focal point.

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