Quarterback
MVP: Lamar Jackson (Ravens)
The Pompano Beach native had one hell of a homecoming in South Florida, shredding the hapless Dolphins defense for 324 YDS and 5 TD's through the air. This was a head-turning performance for the sophomore quarterback who struggled immensely as a passer during his rookie campaign. He'll look to keep rolling in Week 2 against a Cardinals defense that just struggled to contain Matthew Stafford.
Honorable Mentions: Dak Prescott (Cowboys), Deshaun Watson (Texans), Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)
LVP: Jameis Winston (Buccaneers)
Cam Newton and Baker Mayfield may have had higher expectations, but their underwhelming 2019 debuts weren't nearly as inexcusable as Winston's. Winston threw 3 INT's (2 of which were returned for TD's) against a wretched 49ers D that only mustered 2 all of last season without posting the type of gaudy statline (207 total YDS and 1 passing TD) that can make up for the generosity he displayed by repeatedly sharing the ball with the other team. Despite this infuriating, vintage dud from Crab Legs, Bruce Arians' aggressive vertical scheme and an arsenal of receiving weapons that rank among the league's most dangerous will keep him on the QB1 fringe for the time being.
Dishonorable Mentions: Cam Newton (Panthers), Baker Mayfield (Browns), Jared Goff (Rams)
Running Back
MVP: Austin Ekeler (Chargers)
Melvin Gordon's campaign for a big new deal took another massive hit on Sunday afternoon. Ekeler stepped into the Chargers starting RB role seamlessly against the Colts, putting up a very impressive 154 scrimmage YDS (58 rushing, 96 receiving) and 3 TD's on 18 touches (12 carries, 6 receptions). With a proven dual threat skill set and near guarantee of solid weekly volume, Ekeler should be on the RB1 radar until Gordon ends his holdout in mid-to-late October.
Honorable Mentions: Christian McCaffery (Panthers), Derrick Henry (Titans), Marlon Mack (Colts)
LVP: Devonta Freeman (Falcons)
Boy oh boy did Freeman show some rust in his first NFL game action in nearly a year. The star running back got completely bottled up by the Vikings, picking up only 31 scrimmage YDS (19 rushing, 12 receiving) and losing a fumble on 11 touches. Freeman will face the daunting task of trying to bounce back against a tough Eagles run D on Sunday night.
Dishonorable Mentions: Sony Michel (Patriots), Aaron Jones (Packers), David Montgomery (Bears)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Sammy Watkins (Chiefs)
Even before Tyreek Hill left the game with a collarbone injury in the 2nd quarter, Watkins was torching the Jaguars secondary for huge gains and his dominance only became more prevalent once Hill was sidelined. The notoriously erratic 6th year wideout finished the afternoon with an eye-popping 198 YDS and 3 TD's on 9 receptions in a blowout road win for the Chiefs. Watkins will undoubtedly benefit from Hill's indefinite absence, but his inconsistency and questionable durability makes him nothing more than a shaky WR2.
Honorable Mentions: Desean Jackson (Eagles), Marquise Brown (Ravens), DeAndre Hopkins (Texans)
LVP: Mike Evans (Buccaneers)
A combination of battling an illness and terrible play from Winston made Evans a complete non-factor in Week 1. He was sporadically missing from the lineup throughout the game and ended up with only 2 receptions for 28 yards against a very beatable 49ers secondary. Assuming he can return to health in time, Evans should fare much better against the Panthers on Thursday night.
Dishonorable Mentions: Brandin Cooks (Rams), Corey Davis (Titans), Robby Anderson (Jets)
Tight End
MVP: T.J. Hockenson (Lions)
Lamar Jackson wasn't the only one throwing up double birds to a long-running narrative this week. Hockensen told everybody who believed rookie tight ends couldn't make an impact right away to go screw with a sensational performance (6 REC/131 YDS/1 TD) in his NFL debut against the Cardinals. This was a very encouraging start for the widely heralded Iowa product and given the Lions lack of receiver depth behind Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr., he has a real chance to develop into a focal point of this passing attack in the coming weeks.
Honorable Mentions: Evan Engram (Giants), Delanie Walker (Titans), Mark Andrews (Ravens)
LVP: O.J. Howard (Buccaneers)
The Bucs shameful fantasy week continues with a staggering dud from Howard, who mustered 32 YDS and a crucial lost fumble on just 4 receptions. Howard was on fire (23 REC/343 YDS/4 TD's in his last 6 games) before he went down with foot and ankle injuries last season, so hopefully this is just a hiccup on the road to fantasy greatness instead of the start of a disturbing downward trend.
Dishonorable Mentions: Kyle Rudolph (Vikings), Eric Ebron (Colts), Jared Cook (Saints)
Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Vikings
Matt Ryan and co. were not ready for a hungry, aggressive Vikings defense. The Norseman registered 4 sacks, 3 takeaways (2 INT's and a FUM REC), a blocked FG and just 12 points allowed (all in garbage time) in a suffocating 24-12 win over the Falcons. A Packers offense with a questionable o-line and a QB that almost never turns the ball over awaits in Week 2.
Honorable Mentions: Ravens, Seahawks, Bills
LVP: Browns
Steve Wilks' crew did a pretty good of blowing through a Taylor Lewan-less line (4 sacks) and a pretty crap job in every other area (35 points allowed, 0 takeways) during a shocking blowout home loss to the Titans. They'll look to take advantage of a weak offensive line and gunslinger quarterback when they travel to East Rutherford to take on the Jets next Monday night.
Dishonorable Mentions: Eagles, Broncos, Chargers
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