Quarterback
MVP: Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)
The big showdown between the NFL's previous 2 MVP's ended being a dud because only 1 of them really showed up. Mahomes was simply incredible as he led the Chiefs to a commanding victory over a Ravens team that had the top ranked defense in football coming into this week-throwing for 385 YDS and 4 TD's while adding 26 YDS and another TD with his legs. Mahomes has a home matchup with the Patriots in Week 4.
Honorable Mentions: Russell Wilson (Seahawks), Josh Allen (Bills), Dak Prescott (Cowboys)
LVP: Gardner Minshew (Jaguars)
The sneakily consistent fantasy asset Minshew dropped the ball big time in a prime matchup against a soft Dolphins defense, throwing for 275 YDS, committing 2 brutal turnovers (an INT and a lost fumble) and failing to reach the endzone. Minshew will be on the QB1 bubble when he takes on a Bengals defense that has surprisingly allowed the 3rd least fantasy points to QB's to start the year.
Dishonorable Mentions: Lamar Jackson (Ravens), Matt Ryan (Falcons), Cam Newton (Patriots)
Running Back
MVP: Alvin Kamara (Saints)
The Saints may have finished on the wrong side of a shootout with the Packers on Sunday night, but Kamara was quite possibly the best player on the field. The entire offense ran through the 4th year running back and the Packers simply had no answer for him as he sliced them up for 197 scrimmage YDS (58 rushing, 139 receiving) and 2 TD grabs on only 19 touches. Any doubt that Kamara is back to 100% health after his injury-riddled 2019 campaign has already been squashed with his ridiculous start to 2020 and given his pass-catching ceiling/redzone prowess, he seems to be on a path to be the fantasy MVP if he can stay healthy.
Honorable Mentions: Derrick Henry (Titans), James Robinson (Jaguars), Dalvin Cook (Vikings)
LVP: Leonard Fournette (Buccaneers)
Fantasy owners who plugged Fournette into their lineups after his excellent Week 2 performance got burned in a big way with his Week 3 no-show against the Broncos. Not only did he fall behind Ronald Jones in the RB pecking order again, he did next to nothing with the 9 touches (7 CAR/15 YDS, 2 REC/7 YDS) he received in this easy blowout win. Usage seems like it's going to be a huge issue for Fournette in an offense that has been feeding different people every week and he won't be a recommended play in non-desperations situations unless that philosophy changes.
Dishonorable Mentions: Melvin Gordon (Broncos), Mark Ingram (Ravens), David Montgomery (Bears)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Tyler Lockett (Seahawks)
Russell Wilson was lights out once again in Week 3 against the Cowboys and Lockett ended up being the top beneficiary of his strong play-hauling in 9 catches for 100 YDS and 3 TD's. Lockett is the most reliable target in a passing offense that is looking flat-out unstoppable at the moment and he could end up creeping onto the WR1 radar sooner than later if this offense continues to dominate through the air.
Honorable Mentions: Allen Robinson (Bears), Michael Gallup (Cowboys), Allen Lazard (Packers)
LVP: Marquise Brown (Ravens)
A career-worst passing performance from Lamar Jackson (97 YDS) and an ugly drop in the 1st quarter helped contribute to Brown's very poor outing (2 REC/13 YDS) against the Chiefs last night. Brown has been very quiet since his 101 YD outing in Week 1 and he'll be a risky start in Week 4 against a Washington secondary that hasn't allowed a WR to pick up more than 68 YDS against them through 3 weeks.
Dishonorable Mentions: Julian Edelman (Patriots), Darius Slayton (Giants), Brandin Cooks (Texans)
Tight End
MVP: Travis Kelce (Chiefs)
It only took 3 weeks for the fantasy tight end leaderboard to get silly as Jimmy Graham, Tyler Kroft and Robert Tonyan topped the scoring at the position this week. As a result of that madness, Kelce's solid, TD-free line (6 REC, 87 YDS) against the Ravens was enough to power him to the top of the list of guys that actually appeared in more than a few Week 3 lineups. Kelce could be in line for some tough sledding in Week 4 when a Patriots defense that has completely shut down Mike Gesicki, Greg Olsen and Darren Waller over the past 3 weeks comes to Arrowhead.
Honorable Mentions: Mike Gesicki (Dolphins), Zach Ertz (Eagles), Jonnu Smith (Titans)
LVP: Darren Waller (Raiders)
Bill Belichick clearly watched Waller's Week 2 tape and decided that he wasn't going to allow his team to get beat like that. Waller was completely taken out of the game, managing only 2 garbage time catches on just 4 targets (for reference purposes, he was targeted 24 times in the prior 2 games) for 9 YDS on an afternoon where the Raiders passing attack struggled to produce outside of a couple drives in the 1st half. It would be a big surprise if he didn't make more of an impact against the Bills in Week 4.
Dishonorable Mentions: Mark Andrews (Ravens), Evan Engram (Giants), Austin Hooper (Browns)
Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Colts
There's perhaps no greater gift in football right now than getting the opportunity to play the Jets and boy oh boy did the Colts D take glee in their good fortunate this week. Indy straight up crushed the spirit of Sam Darnold and co. for 4 quarters, picking up 3 INT's, 2 sacks, a safety and 2 TD's in a runaway 36-7 victory on Sunday. This surging group gets the Nick Foles-led Bears in Week 4.
Honorable Mentions: Buccaneers, Patriots, Browns
LVP: Saints
Aaron Rodgers, Allen Lazard, Aaron Jones and the rest of the undermanned Packers offense stormed into the Superdome and laid waste to a Saints defense that picked up just 1 sack and 0 takeaways in a 37-30 loss. Dennis Allen's group has been pretty horrible through 3 weeks and it may be worth starting to look elsewhere if you're in an 8-10 team league.
Dishonorable Mentions: Chargers, Cardinals, Bears
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