We’re into the thick of awards season now, not just here on the UK fan hub but also in the NFL itself, with NFL Honors approaching fast.

We have picked out our fan’s choices for Team MVP and Rookie of the Year - it’s time now to turn our attention to Game of the Year…

There were several nail biters last season, so let’s take a look at our nominees…

GAME OF THE YEAR

Candidate #1 - Week 2 - New York Jets 31-30 Cleveland Browns

A crazy contest by any measure, the Jets week two win over Cleveland was one of the most improbable all season in the NFL, as New York faced a 0.3% chance of victory with less than two minutes remaining.

Down 30-17 at that stage, Joe Flacco’s deep touchdown to Corey Davis made it a one-score game before the Jets recovered an onside kick to give them a chance at victory. Flacco led the team down the field before hitting rookie Garrett Wilson in stride to complete the wild comeback.

It was Wilson’s second touchdown of the game and Flacco’s fourth, and marked the Jets first September victory in over three years.

Candidate #2 - Week 4 - New York Jets 24-20 Pittsburgh Steelers

It didn’t take long after the Cleveland game for the Jets to pull off their road fourth-quarter comeback trick once again.

This time trailing 20-10 midway through the final quarter, quarterback Zach Wilson - making his first start of the season - connected with Corey Davis to reduce the deficit and then drove the team the length of the field in the final minutes before rookie Breece Hall stretched out an arm to give the Jets a late, late lead.

The game also had some big plays on defence - four interceptions which was the most in a single game by the Jets this season - as well as Wilson’s TD reception on a pass from wideout Braxton Berrios.

Candidate #3 - Week 6 - New York Jets 27-10 Green Bay Packers

It wasn’t just that the Jets marched into Lambeau Field in week six to beat the heavily-favoured Green Bay Packers, it was the manner in which they did it.

Dominating on defence against a future Hall-of-Fame quarterback, with defensive tackle Quinnen Williams absolutely taking over the game at times. Producing big plays on special teams, with Williams blocking a field goal and Will Parks scooping and scoring on a punt that was blocked by rookie Micheal Clemons.

And on offence a breakout game by Breece Hall, who left the Packers for dust to ice the game in the fourth quarter as well as a perfectly executed end-around to Braxton Berrios who scampered 20 yards for the game’s first touchdown.

Plus, of course, the iconic image of rookie cornerback Sauce Gardner, fresh off another stifling performance, parading the cheesehead around one of football’s most historic cathedrals.

Candidate #4 - Week 9 - Buffalo Bills 17-20 New York Jets

In their final game before the bye week, the Jets produced possibly their most impressive victory of the season, knocking off the AFC East champions at MetLife Stadium.

They were led on offence by a tough ground-and-pound game up front, highlighted by the Jets final drive where they ripped off 78 yards on eight straight running plays to get into field goal range for Greg Zuerlein who made no mistake to give them a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

The defence also made life difficult for Josh Allen all day, picking him off twice and sacking him five times - a crucial late strip sack by Bryce Huff forcing the final desperation heave on 4th and long which was broken up by Sauce Gardner to cue jubilant celebrations on the field.

____

In the end, the Jets couldn’t get the crucial victories they needed down the stretch to make it into the playoffs but we were treated to a few magic moments in the first half of the season that helped get them in position to play meaningful December games.

So have your say on the Game of the Year!