FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, Nov. 8, 2012 -- CBSSports.com has named Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan the First-Half Offensive MVP and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt the First-Half Defensive MVP of the NFL season. In a poll of its team of 41 insiders, experts and correspondents, 44 percent named Ryan as the Offensive MVP. Watt, meanwhile, dominated among defensive players, earning 81 percent of the vote among CBSSports.com experts.

CBSSports.com is marking the midpoint of the season with a comprehensive look at player, team, and coach performances through the first nine games as well as a look ahead to the Super Bowl. CBS Sports is the home of Super Bowl XLVII.

"Around the office we talk about elite QBs all the time,” said Jeffrey Gerttula, VP of Programming for CBSSports.com. “Names like Brady, Peyton, Rodgers and Brees. Nine weeks into the season, it's looking like Matt Ryan will be among that company. He's incredibly accurate and most importantly, winning on the road."

Among the surprises of the season is the success of Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Andrew Luck, voted Best Rookie.

"Our Best Rookie award was wild," Gerttula said. "We had our NFL experts submit their responses before Week 9. Then Andrew Luck vs. the Dolphins happened. And RG3 lost to the Panthers. You probably can't go wrong with either quarterback if you're building a team, but Luck just seems like a natural in the pocket. The Colts struck gold."

The awards and predictions of the CBSSports.com NFL experts include:

First-Half MVP: Matt Ryan (quarterback, Atlanta Falcons)

First-Half Defensive MVP: J.J. Watt (defensive end, Houston Texans)

Best Offense: Falcons/New England Patriots 

Best Rookie: Andrew Luck (quarterback, Indianapolis Colts)

Best Coach: Mike Smith (Falcons)

Toughest Division: NFC North

Worst Team: Kansas City Chiefs

Best Moment: Peyton Manning’s return following neck surgery

Worst Moment: The Hail Mary fiasco at the end of the Green Bay Packers-Seattle Seahawks game on September 24

Super Bowl Picks: Packers vs. Texans

The CBSSports.com team of NFL experts whose picks determined the midseason awards includes CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora, NFL Insider Pat Kirwan, NFL Columnists Pete Prisco and Clark Judge, and National Columnist Mike Freeman. The Pro Football 360 crew, including Host Kevin Corke, Prisco, and National Blogger Will Brinson, also discuss their picks on the live weekday show (Monday-Friday at 3pm ET).

Find the full list of awards, picks and predictions at CBSSports.com. Fans can discuss the picks on Twitter with @EyeOnNFL using the hashtag #CBSNFL.

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