Quarterback
MVP: Josh Allen (Bills)
Allen looked supremely motivated to remind the world that the Bills are still the team to beat in the AFC East (for now at least) on Sunday when the Dolphins rolled into Highmark Stadium. He put together an absolute gem (320 YDS and 4 TD's through the air, 17 YDS and a TD on the ground) that ranks among the finest performances of his career thus far as the Bills went onto hand the Dolphins their 1st loss of 2023 in a very lopsided fashion. Following his Week 1 implosion versus the Jets, Allen has played pretty great and should remain a top 3-5 QB1 option for a Week 5 tilt with the Jaguars in London.
Honorable Mentions: Anthony Richardson (Colts), Justin Fields (Bears), Lamar Jackson (Ravens)
LVP: Joe Burrow (Bengals)
Another week, another shaky performance from the hobbled Burrow. The league's highest-paid player struggled mightily to move the ball, let alone lead scoring drives against a below average Titans pass D- throwing for just 165 YDS, 0 TD and losing a fumble in another brutal loss for the now 1-3 Bengals. Ignore the high draft pick you spent on him and send Burrow to the bench indefinitely until he proves he's healthy again.
Dishonorable Mentions: Kirk Cousins (Vikings), Jared Goff (Lions), Geno Smith (Seahawks)
Running Back
MVP: Christian McCaffery (49ers)
Sunday was a great day to be a McCaffery owner as Kyle Shanahan and Brock Purdy decided to lean on the star RB even more than usual against the Cardinals. CMC turned 27 touches (20 carries, 7 receptions) into 187 scrimmage YDS and 4 TD's (3 rushing, 1 receiving) to help power the 49ers to a 4-0 start. A Cowboys defense that has some vulnerability against the run is next up for McCaffery.
Honorable Mentions: David Montgomery (Lions), Kyren Williams (Rams), De'Von Achane (Dolphins)
LVP: Aaron Jones (Packers)
Jones' return to action after missing 2 games with a hamstring injury proved to be a huge flop. The star back only managed 5 carries for 18 YDS and a lone catch for -4 YDS as the Packers got into a huge hole early against the Lions and had to spend about 3 quarters trying to dig out of it through the air. He should be in for a much busier day against the lowly Raiders next Monday night.
Dishonorable Mentions: Raheem Mostert (Dolphins), Rhamondre Stevenson (Patriots), Miles Sanders (Panthers)
Wide Receiver
MVP: A.J. Brown (Eagles)
The Hurts-to-Brown connection was downright electric versus the Commanders as the WR1 hauled in 9 balls for 175 YDS and 2 scores in a surprising shootout that the Eagles won in OT. Brown will look to keep rolling against the Rams young corner group in Week 5.
Honorable Mentions: Stefon Diggs (Bills), Nico Collins (Texans), Puka Nacua (Rams)
LVP: Chris Olave (Saints)
It was just not Olave's day as Derek Carr was severely limited as a passer on account of the shoulder injury he suffered in the previous game against the Packers and he only managed to catch 1-of-6 targets for 4 YDS as the Saints got embarrassed at home by the Bucs. If Carr's shoulder is in better shape this week, Olave could have the chance to feast against an injury-depleted Patriots corner group that is now without its top 4 guys following Christian Gonzalez's exit from the Cowboys game in Week 4 with a separated shoulder.
Dishonorable Mentions: Deebo Samuel (49ers), Amari Cooper (Browns), Jordan Addison (Vikings)
Tight End
MVP: Mark Andrews (Ravens)
After a quiet 2 games to start his 2023 season, Andrews came alive in Week 4. Lamar Jackson's longtime favorite target was the focal point of their limited passing game against a tough Browns defense, hauling in 5 receptions for 80 YDS and 2 TD's in a big divisional win. Andrews should remain heavily involved in the offense against the Steelers this week, regardless of whether or not Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman are healthy enough to play.
Honorable Mentions: Cole Kmet (Bears), Jake Ferguson (Cowboys), Evan Engram (Jaguars)
LVP: George Kittle (49ers)
It was a quiet night for all of the 49ers pass-catchers not named McCaffery or Aiyuk versus the Cardinals and only Deebo Samuel-who was held without a catch-was more aware of that than Kittle-who caught his lone target for 9 YDS. Outside of his 7 REC/90 YDS showing against the Giants in Week 3, Kittle is off to a very quiet start (7 REC/58 YDS in the other 3 games) and will be a really hard guy to have confidence in as a TE1 until he becomes a more regular part of the passing game with Brock Purdy under center.
Dishonorable Mentions: T.J. Hockenson (Vikings), Kyle Pitts (Falcons), Darren Waller (Giants)
Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Cowboys
Dan Quinn's group bounced back nicely after a tough day at the office against the Cardinals in Week 3 by absolutely suffocating the low-wattage Patriots offense with a 2 sack/2 INT/FUM REC/2 TD (1 pick 6, 1 scoop and score) performance in a 38-3 victory for the Cowboys. While doing that kind of damage to the efficient, turnover-averse 49ers offense will be a much tougher task, leaving a D/ST with this much scoring upside on the bench wouldn't be a wise move to make in most leagues.
Honorable Mentions: Ravens, Bills, Jets
LVP: Steelers
Well if you wanted to see what the Steelers defense looks like when the pass-rush and takeaway machine gets shut off, you got it against the Texans in Week 4. They got absolutely lit up by C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins, Dalton Schultz and Dameon Pierce in a 30-6 loss where they failed to get a single sack or takeaway against this youth-driven offense. They'll look to get back on track against their archrivals from Baltimore-who have struggled with giveaways so far-in Week 5.
Dishonorable Mentions: 49ers, Patriots, Saints
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