Quarterback
MVP: Justin Herbert (Chargers)
Herbert's emergence as a surprise QB1 hit a new peak on Sunday against the Jaguars. The rookie QB put the entire offense on his back (347 YDS/3 TD/0 INT/66 Rushing YDS/1 TD) to secure a 39-29 shootout win. He'll look to keep rolling against an up-and-down Broncos pass defense in Week 8.
Honorable Mentions: Kyler Murray (Cardinals), Tom Brady (Buccaneers), Joe Burrow (Bengals)
LVP: Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)
Snowy conditions and a monster outing for the Chiefs defense/special teams rendered Mahomes' services basically unnecessary (200 YDS, 1 TD, 0 turnovers or rushing attempts) in a blowout victory over the Broncos. Mahomes could be in line for another easy days work when the hapless Jets come to Arrowhead on Sunday.
Dishonorable Mentions: Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers), Josh Allen (Bills), Jimmy Garoppolo (49ers)
Running Back
MVP: James Robinson (Jaguars)
About the only thing keeping the Jaguars in the game against the Chargers on Sunday was the play of Robinson. His packed statline (22 CAR/119 Rushing YDS/1 TD, 4 REC/18 YDS/1 TD, 1 2-PT CNV) does a pretty good job of demonstrating how the rookie running back consistently fought for yards on the ground and served as a reliable checkdown option for Gardner Minshew. This undrafted rookie out of the D1A playoff regular Illinois State has been the biggest surprise of the fantasy season thus far and if he can stay healthy in the second half of the season, a finish as a top 10 back seems to be in reach.
Honorable Mentions: Antonio Gibson (Washington), Todd Gurley (Falcons), Jamaal Williams (Packers)
LVP: Josh Jacobs (Raiders)
Jacobs was the latest running back to be stifled by the Bucs brickwall front 7- managing just 31 scrimmage YDS (17 rushing, 14 receiving) on 13 touches as the erratic Raiders got blown off the field for 4 quarters. Things won't get much easier for the volatile Jacobs as he goes up against a Browns defense that has held backs that aren't heavily involved in the passing game in check all season long.
Dishonorable Mentions: Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys), Mike Davis (Panthers), Jerick McKinnon (49ers)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Tyler Lockett (Seahawks)
Lockett snapped out of his pre-bye week slump with the biggest statement possible. The criminally underrated veteran made several highlight-worthy catches and shined brightly as the clear focal point of the offensive attack in a game where D.K Metcalf was noticeably quiet-posting a career-high 200 YDS and 3 TD's on 15 catches-in a hard to swallow OT loss to the Cardinals on Sunday night. He'll likely see a lot of the resurgent, healthy Jason Verrett against the 49ers this week-which should bump back down to his normal WR2 standing.
Honorable Mentions: Davante Adams (Packers), Dionate Johnson (Steelers), A.J. Brown (Titans)
LVP: Chase Claypool (Steelers)
Claypool's hot streak was fun well it lasted. The rookie wideout legimately wasn't even involved in the offense against a soft Titans pass defense-catching his lone target for -2 YDS. While his youth and the deep arsenal of Steelers pass-catching options make his weekly floor sketchy, there's still no reason to believe that he won't be a key cog in this spread-the-wealth passing attack moving forward.
Dishonorable Mentions: DK Metcalf (Seahawks), D.J. Chark (Jaguars), CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys)
Tight End
MVP: Rob Gronkowski (Buccaneers)
Is Gronkowski finally out of the nursing home? Well if the last 2 weeks are any indication, he just might be. The previously decrepit 31 year old tight end's comeback tour took another positive step forward on Sunday against the Raiders as he hauled in 5 catches for 62 YDS and a TD. Gronk's lingering health problems and lethargic play earlier in the year makes it hard to be confident in him to keep this up the rest of the way, but there's no reason to not start him in the interim at this abysmal position.
Honorable Mentions: T.J. Hockenson (Lions), Darren Waller (Raiders), Logan Thomas (Washington)
LVP: Jonnu Smith (Titans)
Smith struggled to get back in the swing of things after a 1-week injury absence, only registering 1 catch for 9 YDS against the Steelers on Sunday. This undisputed TE1 has a strong bounceback opportunity in Week 8 when he goes up against a weak Bengals pass defense that just got shredded by the Browns rookie fill-in starter Harrison Bryant.
Dishonorable Mentions: Hunter Henry (Chargers), Travis Kelce (Chiefs), Robert Tonyan (Packers)
Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Chiefs
As I mentioned above, the Chiefs defense/special teams was the driving force behind their 43-16 victory over the Broncos. They managed to finish the game with a simply ridiculous 3 sacks, 4 takeaways and 2 TD's (kick return, pick 6). A repeat atop the position leaderboard could be in the cards when they go up against the always generous Jets this Sunday.
Honorable Mentions: 49ers, Washington, Rams
LVP: Saints
There's perhaps no sadder commentary on the state of the defense/special teams spot this season than the fact the Saints are still being started in a bunch of leagues. This underachieving group threw up another dud against a middling Panthers offense-surrendering 24 points while mustering just 1 sack and 0 takeaways. A limp Bears offense led by the INT-hurling Nick Foles awaits them next.
Dishonorable Mentions: Steelers, Patriots, Cowboys
No comments:
Post a Comment