Table of Contents
NEW YORK — Prilosec OTC, the National Football League and Pro Football Hall of Fame coach John Madden have announced the start of fan voting for the third annual Madden Protectors Award.
The Procter & Gamble acid reducer brand said Thursday that the award, launched in 2009, honors the NFL’s best offensive line for the 2011 NFL regular season and recognizes the fundamental role offensive linemen play in their teams’ success by providing "consistent and powerful protection on game day, just as Prilosec OTC can provide 24-hour heartburn protection when used as directed."
Fan voting, which runs until Jan. 23, will be key in determining this season’s best protectors in the NFL, according to P&G.
Throughout the regular season, Madden has been closely tracking the top offensive lines in the NFL and has narrowed the list to five finalists: the New Orleans Saints, with 24 sacks allowed (second fewest in the NFL) and 5,347 pass yards (best in the NFL); the New England Patriots, who averaged 317.8 passing yards per game (second best in the NFL); the Houston Texans, who averaged 153 rushing yards per game (second best in the NFL); the Denver Broncos, with 2,632 rushing yards (best in the NFL); and the Green Bay Packers, who averaged 35 points per game (best in the NFL).
The selection process was based on a number of measures, including offensive line statistics — sacks allowed, rushing and passing yardage, time of possession, O-line penalties, 3rd and 4th down conversion percentages, and red zone scoring conversions — and Madden’s personal observations during the season. Each of the finalists have been recognized at least once this season by Madden as an "O-Line of the Week" for their excellent protection during the 2011 season.
Fans can visit nfl.com/prilosecotc for a review of each Madden Protectors Award finalist and then cast their votes. The recipient of this year’s Madden Protectors Award presented by Prilosec OTC will be announced on Feb. 1 in Indianapolis during the week of Super Bowl XLVI. Last year’s winner of the Madden Protectors Award was the New England Patriots.
"I’m excited to once again give this award to the best offensive line of the NFL regular season. I’ve always said the offensive line does not get enough credit for always providing consistent and powerful protection," Madden said in a statement. "We saw a lot of talent on the offensive line this year, which made it critical to provide a careful analysis. When it came down to it, these five teams stood out as the best protectors in the league."
