KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Despite his team's lost season, Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen somehow found a way to shine.
The effort did not go unnoticed.
On Tuesday the NFL 101 awards announced that Allen was chosen by sportswriters from around the country as the 2011 NFC Defensive Player of the year.
Allen finished the regular season with a league-leading 22 sacks, just one-half sack shy of the NFL single-season mark. He was selected to the Pro Bowl for the fourth time in his eight seasons.
Baltimore's Terrell Suggs was voted AFC Defensive Player of the year.
The winners of the NFC and AFC Offensive Players of the year should come as no surprise. Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers notched one of the greatest offensive seasons ever recorded in the NFL, with the best single-season passer rating in NFL history at 122.5.
Rodgers passed for 4,643 yards with a 68.3 completion percentage and an incredible 45-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio in leading the Packers to an NFL-best 15-1.
For the second consecutive year New England QB Tom Brady takes home AFC Offensive Player of the year honors. Brady led the Patriots to a 13-3 record and the AFC East Division title. He led the conference in passing attempts (611), completions (401), completion percentage (65.6), yards (5,235), touchdowns (39) and passer rating (105.6).
San Francisco's Jim Harbaugh was voted NFC Coach of the Year honors, while Houston's Gary Kubiak received the nod for the AFC.
A national media committee, comprised of 101 sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the NFL, selected the winners in each award category in a nationwide vote at the conclusion of the regular season.
Allen and his cohorts will receive their trophies at the 42nd Annual NFL 101 Awards gala on Saturday, March 3, in Kansas City.
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