Quarterback
MVP: Kyler Murray (Cardinals)
Save for a lone INT, Murray was masterful against a clearly overwhelmed Titans defense-throwing for 289 YDS and 4 TD's while adding another 20 YDS and a TD on the ground in an impressive 38-13 road victory for the Cardinals. Murray will look to keep rolling against a very burnable Vikings defense on Sunday afternoon.
Honorable Mentions: Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs), Tom Brady (Buccaneers), Jalen Hurts (Eagles)
LVP: Aaron Rodgers (Packers)
Whether it was caused by being unprepared to play after his very public summer away from the team, a good game plan from the Saints or some combination of the two, Rodgers just wasn't himself on Sunday. The reigning MVP only threw for 133 YDS and added a pair of ugly INT's before hitting the showers early to give Jordan Love some garbage time reps in a stunning blowout road loss. Rodgers should be better against an abysmal Lions secondary in Week 2 and if he isn't, it might be time to start flipping the panic switch.
Dishonorable Mentions: Ryan Tannehill (Titans), Matt Ryan (Falcons), Justin Herbert (Chargers)
Running Back
MVP: Joe Mixon (Bengals)
While the heavy volume brought on by playing nearly a full overtime period may have propped up his statline, it was still an encouraging opening game for Mixon after a dismal, injury-shortened 2020. The Bengals bellcow back turned his 33 touches against the Vikings into 150 scrimmage YDS (127 rushing, 23 receiving) and a TD. A Bears defense that is much better up front than on the back end awaits Mixon in Week 2.
Honorable Mentions: Nick Chubb (Browns), Christian McCaffery (Panthers), Jamaal Williams (Lions)
LVP: Aaron Jones (Packers)
Horrible gamescript and a Saints defense that was downright suffocating for 4 quarters made Jones-who was a 1st round pick in most leagues-the single biggest flop of Week 1 as he mustered just 22 scrimmage YDS on 7 touches. Fortunately for Jones, the Lions-who just surrendered 100+ YDS to 49ers rookie back Elijah Mitchell last week-are up next on the schedule.
Dishonorable Mentions: Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys), Saquon Barkley (Giants), Ronald Jones (Buccaneers)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Amari Cooper (Cowboys)
Dak Prescott looked really sharp in his 1st game back from the brutal ankle injury that kept him away from live game action for nearly a year and Cooper proved to be the top beneficiary of Dak's strong play-securing a ridiculous 13 catches for 139 YDS and 2 TD's in a wire-to-wire shootout against the Buccaneers last Thursday night. Even with the emergence of CeeDee Lamb as a budding star and the Cowboys highly unlikely to repeat the overwhelmingly pass-heavy attack they utilized against the Bucs in future weeks, Cooper owners have to feel really good about his 2021 prospects right now.
Honorable Mentions: Tyreek Hill (Chiefs), Deebo Samuel (49ers), Tyler Lockett (Seahawks)
LVP: Brandon Aiyuk (49ers)
Kyle Shanahan created unexpected chaos in the fantasy football community by not starting Aiyuk-who was a consensus top 50-60 selection after his strong rookie season in 2020- against the Lions on Sunday. Making matters even worse: Aiyuk didn't receive a target on the 25 snaps he played in the game. Shanahan stated after the game that Aiyuk's missed practices late in training camp was the reason he saw so little action in the opener, so this seems like it's going to an issue that extends beyond Week 1. Until more clarity is provided on this situation, Aiyuk shouldn't be started in any format.
Dishonorable Mentions: Mike Evans (Buccaneers), Julio Jones (Titans), Courtland Sutton (Broncos)
Tight End
MVP: Rob Gronkowski (Buccaneers)
Fantasy owners who entrusted Gronkowski to be their starting TE saw some significant early returns on their minimal investment (his average ADP was between 125 and 150). Gronkowski was the 2nd most targeted receiver on the Bucs behind Chris Godwin in a shootout victory over the Cowboys, hauling in all 8 passes that came his way for 90 YDS and a pair of scores. While he'll certainly be more volatile than he was during his prime years with the Patriots, Gronkowski is still very much a weekly TE1 who can be counted on to put together vintage gems like this from time to time.
Honorable Mentions: Travis Kelce (Chiefs), T.J. Hockenson (Lions), Darren Waller (Raiders)
LVP: Mike Gesicki (Dolphins)
Gesicki's reasonably widely projected breakout campaign didn't get off to the smoothest start in Foxboro on Sunday. The 4th year pro failed to catch either of his targets on the day as Tua Tagovailoa leaned on Jaylen Waddle, DeVante Parker and Myles Gaskin in the passing game in the 'Phins hard-fought 17-16 win over the Patriots. Gesicki will look to be more involved in Week 2 against a Bills defense that he had some success against in 2020 (13 REC/177 YDS/TD in 2 games).
Dishonorable Mentions: Robert Tonyan (Packers), Mark Andrews (Ravens), Kyle Pitts (Falcons)
Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Steelers
Some pretty significant overhauls to their corner group and edge rushers next to T.J. Watt didn't prevent the Steelers defense from coming out of the gates hot. The 3 sacks, FUM and blocked punt that turned into a TD from this DEF/ST group powered the Steelers to an impressive comeback road win over a tough Bills squad. A Raiders team coming off a wild Monday Night Football win in which they posted 33 points against a pretty good Ravens defense is next up for the Steelers.
Honorable Mentions: 49ers, Rams, Broncos
LVP: Buccaneers
A couple of injuries in the secondary, a lasered-in Dak Prescott and underwhelming performances from their top pass-rushers resulted in the much buzzed about Bucs defense putting together a quiet night (1 sack, 1 INT) in their 33-29 opening night victory. A Week 2 date with a Falcons offense that mustered just 6 points and allowed Matt Ryan to get hit about 8,000 times against the Eagles in Week 1 could be just the ticket they need to quickly reverse their fortunes.
Dishonorable Mentions: Browns, Bills, Ravens
No comments:
Post a Comment