Quarterback
MVP: Josh Allen (Bills)
Now, THIS is the type of performance fantasy owners expected when they used a top 30-35 pick on Allen. Buffalo's newly minted $200 million franchise QB picked on a surprisingly overmatched Football Team defense all game long-throwing for 358 YDS and 4 TD's and adding a 2-YD TD on the ground. With a very soft schedule of defenses (Texans, Chiefs, Titans) leading up to the Bills Week 7 bye, this could just be the start of a dominant run for Allen.
Honorable Mentions: Justin Herbert (Chargers), Matthew Stafford (Rams), Kirk Cousins (Vikings)
LVP: Russell Wilson (Seahawks)
Russell Wilson becoming the 1st quarterback that failed to pick on the Vikings porous secondary was certainly not the outcome most people expected coming into this weekend's slate. Russ only managed to string together 298 YDS and a TD in a very disheartening double digit loss for the now 1-2 Seahawks. He'll look to right the ship against a very depleted 49ers secondary in Week 4.
Dishonorable Mentions: Kyler Murray (Cardinals), Daniel Jones (Giants), Baker Mayfield (Browns)
Running Back
MVP: Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys)
The bench Elliott for Tony Pollard crowd had about as rough of a night as the Eagles did on MNF. Elliott bullied Philly's soft defense with punishing run after punishing run, finishing the game with 116 scrimmage YDS (95 rushing, 21 receiving) and a pair of scores on only 20 touches in a blowout victory for the Cowboys in their home opener. Even with Pollard continuing to excel as a change-of-pace option (he posted 60 YDS on 11 carries last night) in the Cowboys backfield, Elliott's RB1 status is in no danger moving forward.
Honorable Mentions: Kareem Hunt (Browns), James Robinson (Jaguars), Najee Harris (Steelers)
LVP: Ty'Son Williams (Ravens)
Greg Roman cooked up a very odd game plan for the Lions on Sunday and that shockingly meant the the Ravens leading rusher not named Lamar Jackson coming into Week 3 only managed to get 5 carries during the entire game (which he turned into 22 YDS). Luckily for Williams, his workload shouldn't be impacted too much in future weeks as Latavius Murray (7 CAR/28 YDS) and Devonta Freeman (3 CAR/8 YDS) also failed to do much of anything with their limited touches against the Lions horrific defense. The Ravens wonky running back committee is going to be a headache-inducing messing moving forward, but there's just too much upside present in this run-dominant offense to give up on Williams (or Murray for that matter) at this point.
Dishonorable Mentions: Damien Harris (Patriots), David Montgomery (Bears), Miles Sanders (Eagles)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Mike Williams (Chargers)
Williams can now add hero of the Chargers stunning road upset victory over the Chiefs to his impressive early 2021 resume. The 5th year wideout was lights out on Sunday, posting 7 REC/122 YDS/2 TD's (the second of which was the game-winner)and a successful 2-PT conversion on the afternoon. Displaying a terrific rapport with Justin Herbert and seemingly fully healthy for the 1st time in an eternity, Williams appears to be morphing into a weekly WR2 right before our eyes.
Honorable Mentions: Cooper Kupp (Rams), Davante Adams (Packers), Ja'Marr Chase (Bengals)
LVP: DeAndre Hopkins (Cardinals)
Even with tempered expectations on account of him playing through a rib injury that held him out of practice all of last week, a 3 REC/21 YD performance for Hopkins against a decimated Jaguars secondary that has struggled enough when they're fully healthy is a huge letdown. After this poor performance, it wouldn't be a shock if Hopkins sat against an ultra physical Rams secondary in Week 4.
Dishonorable Mentions: Allen Robinson (Bears), Rondale Moore (Cardinals), Robby Anderson (Panthers)
Tight End
MVP: Mark Andrews (Ravens)
On an ugly afternoon for the Ravens passing attack in which Marquise Brown dropped 3 potential TD's, Andrews season-best 5 catch, 109 YD performance provided a much needed bright spot in their controversial win over the Lions. A Week 4 tilt against a stifling Broncos defense will be a very tough test for Andrews-who was very quiet in the Ravens prior 2 games.
Honorable Mentions: Travis Kelce (Chiefs), George Kittle (49ers), Mike Gesicki (Dolphins)
LVP: T.J. Hockenson (Lions)
For the first time this season, the Lions passing attack ran through somebody else besides Hockenson as the star tight end only managed 2 catches for 10 YDS against the Ravens. He'll almost certainly fare better against a Bears defense that allowed a TD to the struggling Austin Hooper last week.
Dishonorable Mentions: Noah Fant (Broncos), Robert Tonyan (Packers), Kyle Pitts (Falcons)
Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Broncos
A date between the staunch Broncos defense and the Jets struggling rookie QB Zach Wilson played out pretty predictably with Denver picking up 5 sacks and 2 INT's against in a 26-0 victory. After a cupcake opening trio of games against the Giants, Jaguars and Jets, the Broncos will finally face a real test in Week 4 when the Ravens come into Mile High.
Honorable Mentions: Cardinals, Browns, Saints
LVP: Football Team
The Football Team defense has been a huge flop to start 2021 and their surprising struggles were especially evident on Sunday when they gave up 43 points while registering zero sacks or takeaways against the Bills. If they can't produce a good showing against a flat Falcons offense in Week 4, they'll be an immediate drop candidate.
Dishonorable Mentions: Steelers, Buccaneers, Ravens
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