Quarterback
MVP: Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)
This Patrick Mahomes fella is pretty good. The reigning MVP celebrated his final visit to Oakland by carving up the Raiders for 443 YDS and 4 TD's in a pretty easy 28-10 win on Sunday afternoon. Mahomes will likely face a much stiffer test this week when the Chiefs return home to face a Ravens defense that has only surrendered 1 passing TD so far this season.
Honorable Mentions: Lamar Jackson (Ravens), Dak Prescott (Cowboys), Tom Brady (Patriots)
LVP: Deshaun Watson (Texans)
The electricity Watson displayed in New Orleans last Monday didn't make it on the plane back to Houston. Even with star corner A.J. Bouye sidelined, the Jags pass D did an excellent job containing Watson-as he finished the day with just 159 YDS and 0 TD's through the air. A 2 yard rushing TD in the 4th quarter was the only real highlight of the afternoon for the 3rd-year QB who was once again let down by porous offensive line play. A road showdown with the Chargers, who are in the middle of the pack in points allowed to quarterbacks, awaits Watson in Week 3.
Dishonorable Mentions: Cam Newton (Panthers), Aaron Rodgers (Packers), Jameis Winston (Buccaneers)
Running Back
MVP: Dalvin Cook (Vikings)
Mike Zimmer's reported desire to commit to the running game wasn't a joke. Despite going down 14-0 early against the Packers, the Vikings continued to feed Cook and he did everything he could to get them back in the game-registering 191 scrimmage YDS (154 rushing, 37 receiving) and a rushing TD on 23 touches. Cook will look to keep his staggering hot start going against a stouter than anticipated Raiders run D on Sunday.
Honorable Mentions: Aaron Jones (Packers), Saquon Barkley (Giants), Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys)
LVP: Christian McCaffery (Panthers)
In a prime matchup against the Buccaneers, McCaffery ended up being an afterthought in the passing game (2 REC/16 YDS) and mustered next to nothing on the ground (37 YDS) despite getting close to his usual number of carries (16). If Cam Newton ends up missing Week 3 after reportedly reaggravating his foot injury in practice, his workload (and subsequent odds of putting together a bounceback) could be even higher when the Panthers square off against a vulnerable Cardinals defense.
Dishonorable Mentions: Alvin Kamara (Saints), Damien Williams (Chiefs), Joe Mixon (Bengals)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Julio Jones (Falcons)
In an ugly primetime showdown full of bad QB decisionmaking, inexcusable drops and more injures than the Running of the Bulls, Jones brought a welcome sense of competence to this gridiron dumpster fire. The Falcons star wideout made the most out of his modest reception total (5), picking up 106 YDS and 2 TD's including a beautiful 54 YD catch-and-run that clinched the win over the Eagles. Matt Ryan hasn't been particularly sharp to open the year and their schedule is looking pretty brutal at the moment, but Jones should remain a no doubt WR1 as long as he's healthy.
Honorable Mentions: Odell Beckham Jr. (Browns), Chris Godwin (Buccaneers), Emmanuel Sanders (Broncos)
LVP: Josh Gordon (Patriots)
Believe it or not, there was a member of the Patriots that didn't dominate in South Beach last weekend. Gordon mustered just 2 receptions for 19 YDS against the lowly Dolphins D on a day where the passing game ran through Julian Edelman and Antonio Brown. He'll look to get back on track against a Jets secondary that just got torched by Odell Beckham Jr.
Dishonorable Mentions: Robert Woods (Rams), Deandre Hopkins (Texans), Dede Westbrook (Jaguars)
Tight End
MVP: Mark Andrews (Ravens)
Lamar Jackson's favorite target had himself another great game in Week 2. The sophomore tight end led the Ravens in receiving-picking up 112 YDS and a TD on 8 receptions-in a nice victory over the Cardinals. Andrews has lived up to the preseason hype thus far and should be locked in as a weekly TE1.
Honorable Mentions: Travis Kelce (Chiefs), Vance McDonald (Steelers), Greg Olsen (Panthers)
LVP: O.J. Howard (Buccaneers)
What the hell is wrong with O.J. Howard? He was regularly out of position, getting silly penalties and worst of all, didn't even manage a TARGET in last Thursday's showdown with the Panthers. There's too much upside to give up on him after just 2 weeks, but he's going to have to make some dramatic strides in the next couple weeks in order to remain rosterable, let alone a starting option for the rest of 2019.
Dishonorable Mentions: T.J. Hockenson (Lions), Jared Cook (Saints), Jimmy Graham (Packers)
Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Patriots
It really is shocking how much destruction can occur when a juggernaut faces off against some hapless amateurs. The Patriots defense downright embarrassed the Dolphins JV team, picking up 7 sacks, 4 INT's, 2 TD's and holding them to a shutout on Sunday. A Week 3 showdown with the Luke Falk-led Jets makes another finish atop the fantasy leaderboards seem very likely.
Honorable Mentions: Browns, Texans, Chiefs
LVP: Broncos
Despite only allowing 16 points, the Broncos mustered 0 sacks or takeaways in a home game against the Bears anemic offense. Vic Fangio's presence has not provided the expected boost to this group and they might be worth considering dropping after back-to-back below average performances to start the season.
Dishonorable Mentions: Cowboys, Ravens, Seahawks
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