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5 Dark Horse Candidates For 2014 NFL Offensive Player Of The Year

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By @RyanRattyNFL

5 Dark Horse Candidates For 2014 NFL Offensive Player Of The Year

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It's that time of the year again when the NFL starts to pick the awards for the 2014 season. One of the most illustrious awards of the bunch is the Offensive Player of the Year award, and although Aaron Rodgers is the clear favorite as of now, there are many other candidates that deserve at least some attention. Here are five dark horse candidates for the award.

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5. Justin Forsett

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Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

5. Justin Forsett

justin forsett
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Has there been a player with a better story this year than Justin Forsett? There is no question that he's a clear favorite for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award, but Forsett is also deserving of the Offensive Player of the Year Award. Before the season, Forsett was going to retire, but decided to follow Gary Kubiak to Baltimore. This season, Forsett has ran the ball 235 times for 1,266 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.

4. Le'Veon Bell

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Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

4. Le'Veon Bell

le'veon bell
Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

DeMarco Murray is getting all of the glory because of his record-breaking season, but Le'Veon Bell was just as good in 2014. Bell did it all for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was great in the running game behind a not-so-good offensive line, and he was a weapon for Ben Roethlisberger all season long for the Steelers. Without Bell in the playoffs, the Steelers were extremely stagnant on offense.

3. DeMarco Murray

demarco murray
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

3. DeMarco Murray

demarco murray
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

What DeMarco Murray has done in 2014 is simply quite amazing. He has had trouble staying healthy in the first three seasons of his career, but turned that narrative around in 2014. Murray finished the regular season with 392 carries for 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns. Murray has been very consistent with the Cowboys, and there is no question that he should get some consideration for this award.

2. Andrew Luck

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Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

2. Andrew Luck

andrew luck
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Obviously, the main problem people have with Andrew Luck is his decision-making at times. Luck has thrown 40 touchdowns in 2014, which is simply amazing for a third-year quarterback. However, he has also thrown 16 interceptions. His interception total is very high, but his 62 percent completion rate and 96.5 quarterback rating are career-highs.

1. Tony Romo

tony romo
Elsa/Getty Images

1. Tony Romo

tony romo
Elsa/Getty Images

People will always hate on Tony Romo. Although he has played well enough to earn respect, the probability of him winning this award is very slim, and the main reason why is because of the media and how they always try to put him down. Romo has played the most efficient football of his career. He has a completion rate of 70 percent, a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 34 to 9, and a quarterback rating of 113.2, which is a career-best.

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