Quarterback:
MVP: Cam Newton (Panthers)
After a so-so game against the Broncos in the season opener, Cam Newton came out and proved why he was the top-drafted quarterback in most leagues this year with a tremendous performance against the 49ers. Newton recovered from a pair of ugly 1st quarter turnovers (an INT and a lost fumble) and went onto torch the 49ers physically-drained defense for 390 total yards (353 passing, 37 rushing) and 4 TD. Newton faces a much stiffer challenge in Week 3 when the Vikings and their criminally underrated defense come to Bank of America Stadium, but is still worth playing of because dual-threat abilities and excellent career track record at home.
Honorable Mentions: Matt Ryan (Falcons), Tyrod Taylor (Bills), Derek Carr (Raiders)
LVP: Jameis Winston (Buccaneers)
Jameis Winston threw up one of his trademark massive stinkers against the Cardinals. A huge early deficit forced Winston to conjure up the bad habits (rushed throws, forcing passes into double/triple coverage, etc.) he had during his days at Florida State and the Cardinals defense made him pay for it, picking up 4 INT's and a lost fumble on the afternoon. Fearless quarterbacks with a gunslinger mentality are going to have games like this every once in a while, but Winston's tremendous upside and vital importance to the functionality of the Bucs offense makes him worth keeping as a low-end QB1/top-flight QB2.
Dishonorable Mentions: Andrew Luck (Colts), Russell Wilson (Seahawks), Eli Manning (Giants)
Running Back:
MVP: Matt Forte (Jets)
Matt Forte isn't a human being. The 30-year old running back once again looked like a fresh-legged 20-something as he ripped off a 109-yard (100 rushing, 9 receiving), 3 TD performance against the Bills last Thursday night. In a 2-week span that has been nothing short of catastrophic for the running back position, Forte has been one of only a handful of guys that have yielded impressive results for their owners.
Honorable Mentions: Isaiah Crowell (Browns), DeAngelo Williams (Steelers), LeGarrette Blount (Patriots)
LVP: Mark Ingram (Saints)
What the hell is going on with Mark Ingram? The Saints workhorse back mustered 47 total yards (30 rushing, 17 receiving) on just 13 touches in the Saints surprisingly low-scoring duel with the Giants this week. Ingram has been a bizarrely small part of the Saints offense through the first 2 weeks of the season and if this trend continues in Week 3 against the Falcons, it may be time to start getting very concerned about his status as a viable fantasy starter.
Dishonorable Mentions: Carlos Hyde (49ers) , Eddie Lacy (Packers), T.J. Yeldon (Jaguars)
Wide Receiver:
MVP: Stefon Diggs (Vikings)
Don't look now, but Stefon Diggs might be a legit fantasy stud in the making. The Vikings 2nd-year wideout was once again the focal point of the offense, picking up 182 yards and a touchdown on 9 receptions, in the Purple Norseman's upset victory over the Packers on Sunday night. With a league-high 285 receiving yards through 2 weeks, Diggs appears to be a legit breakout candidate for 2016.
Honorable Mentions: Travis Benjamin (Chargers), Kelvin Benjamin (Panthers), Corey Coleman (Browns)
LVP: Antonio Brown (Steelers)
The most consistently productive player in all of fantasy football proved his mortality this week. Despite being targeted a team-high 11 times, Brown finished Sunday's contest versus the Bengals with just 39 yards on 4 receptions. Brown's return to dominant form in Week 3 is all but assured as he is set to square off against an Eagles secondary that is currently dealing with a rash of injuries.
Dishonorable Mentions: Golden Tate (Lions), A.J. Green (Bengals), Allen Robinson (Jaguars)
Tight End
MVP: Greg Olsen (Panthers)
A week after the league's healthy star tight end's all put up middling numbers, Greg Olsen and his counterparts ensured things returned to normal in Week 2. Olsen narrowly won the position MVP award over Martellus Bennett and Delanie Walker with his terrific, team-anchoring 5 REC/122 YD/1 TD performance against the 49ers. Olsen remains the clear number 2 target in the Panthers passing game behind Kelvin Benjamin and should continue to be one of the best options at TE just about every week.
Honorable Mentions: Martellus Bennett (Patriots), Delanie Walker (Titans), Vance McDonald (49ers)
LVP: Coby Fleener (Saints)
Another week, another letdown for Coby Fleener. Facing a Giants defense that got straight-up torched by Jason Witten in Week 1, Fleener managed to get just 2 receptions for 29 yards on 8 targets-which was tied with Willie Snead for 2nd-most on the team. Fleener has been a huge dud so far, but given the Saints status as the NFL's most pass-happy offense, he's still worth hanging onto for the time being.
Dishonorable Mentions: Travis Kelce (Chiefs), Dwayne Allen (Colts), Gary Barnidge (Browns)
Defense
MVP: Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals followed up a lackluster showing against the Patriots with one of the most dominant defensive performances in recent memory against the Buccaneers this week. The Cardinals made life a living hell for Jameis Winston and co., picking up 4 INT, 3 sacks, a fumble recovery and a TD while only allowing 7 points. The Cardinals have yet another excellent matchup in Week 3 as they take on the dysfunctional offense of the Buffalo Bills, so repeating this absurd level of production isn't completely out of the question.
Honorable Mentions: Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers
LVP: Oakland Raiders
The optimism that I had for the Raiders defense going into 2016 has gone up in flames. The Silver and Black's defense once again couldn't stop a nosebleed, as they got torched for 35 points by the Falcons on Sunday while only mustering a single sack and interception to try and offset their inability to stop opposing offenses from scoring at will. I'd say it's safe to go ahead and drop this underwhelming group immediately.
Dishonorable Mentions: New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills
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