Quarterback
MVP: Lamar Jackson (Ravens)
Things went up in flames in jaw-dropping fashion for the Ravens in the 4th quarter of their shocking Week 2 loss to the Dolphins, but Jackson certainly wasn't to blame for their late game collapse. The 5th year pro showed off why he deserves the record-breaking contract he'll receive next spring with an impeccable performance (318 YDS/3 TD's passing, 119 YDS/1 TD rushing) that served as a tremendous showcase for his special dual-threat skill set. Jackson will look to get his team back in the win column against the Patriots on Sunday afternoon.
Honorable Mentions: Jalen Hurts (Eagles), Josh Allen (Bills), Kyler Murray (Cardinals)
LVP: Tom Brady (Buccaneers)
While the Bucs ultimately won the game, Brady's struggles against the Saints continued. TB12 posted a very pedestrian passing line (190 YDS/1 TD) and even fumbled a snap on the team's opening drive that was recovered by Demario Davis. With Mike Evans earning a 1-game suspension for the fight he got into with Marshon Lattimore and Chris Godwin expected to remain out with the hamstring injury he suffered in Week 1, Brady could be in for another tough day against the Packers in Week 3.
Dishonorable Mentions: Russell Wilson (Broncos), Kirk Cousins (Vikings), Joe Burrow (Bengals)
Running Back
MVP: Nick Chubb (Browns)
Outside of bizarrely being chosen as the scapegoat for the Browns hilarious Week 2 loss to the Jets that was ultimately made possible by a missed extra point from rookie kicker Cade York, a successful onside kick from New York and the vaunted Browns defense allowing Joe Flacco to throw 2 TD's in the final 1:57 of play, everything worked out great for Chubb on Sunday. The perpetually underrated veteran back turned 17 carries into 87 YDS and 3 TD's while also seeing higher than usual work in the passing game (3 REC/26 YDS). As long as Jacoby Brissett is under center, Chubb should be a terrific RB1 option.
Honorable Mentions: Aaron Jones (Packers), D'Andre Swift (Lions), Tony Pollard (Cowboys)
LVP: Rashaad Penny (Seahawks)
Abysmal game script and the earlier than expected return of rookie back Kenneth Walker III from his hernia surgery in late July doomed Penny this week as he only ended up seeing 6 carries for 15 YDS in a blowout loss to the 49ers. While things will almost certainly work out better for him when the Falcons travel up to Seattle this Sunday, the unknown structure of the Seahawks new look backfield makes him a needlessly risky start.
Dishonorable Mentions: Dalvin Cook (Vikings), Jonathan Taylor (Colts), Ezkiel Elliott (Cowboys)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Stefon Diggs (Bills)
Josh Allen and Diggs looked like they were working on timing routes against no defenders last night as the Bills top wideout effortlessly dismantled the Titans secondary for 148 YDS and 3 TD's on 12 catches. The Dolphins will have the daunting task of trying to slow down the Bills top WR this week.
Honorable Mentions: Tyreek Hill (Dolphins), Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions), Jaylen Waddle (Dolphins)
LVP: JuJu Smith-Schuster (Chiefs)
A stingy Chargers defense that minimized the damage Patrick Mahomes did overall along with a few unexpected splash plays from Justin Watson cutting into his target share kept Smith-Schuster very quiet (3 REC/10 YDS) last Thursday night. There will likely be a bunch of peaks and valleys with Smith-Schuster this year, so there's no reason to panic and remove him from his current WR3/FLEX spot right now.
Dishonorable Mentions: DK Metcalf (Seahawks), Darnell Mooney (Bears), D.J. Chark (Lions)
Tight End
MVP: Mark Andrews (Ravens)
Any of the narratives that emerged last week surrounding how Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay's strong Week 1 showings could chip into Andrews' productivity died just as quickly as they arrived. Lamar Jackson's long-time go-to-guy returned to the featured role after a pretty quiet Week 1, turning a team-high 9 catches into 104 YDS and a TD in the aforementioned tragic loss to the Dolphins. Andrews will have to fight his way through the extra attention the Patriots strong secondary are bound to throw at him to return to the top of the TE scoring leaderboards in Week 3.
Honorable Mentions: Darren Waller (Raiders), Irv Smith Jr. (Vikings), Zach Ertz (Cardinals)
LVP: Kyle Pitts (Falcons)
As expected, Pitts royally struggled again in Week 2 against the Rams. The 2nd year pro somehow managed to duplicate his exact output from Week 1 (2 REC/19 YDS) as Marcus Mariota heavily favored rookie Drake London-who was targeted 12 times on Mariota's 26 pass attempts. If Pitts flounders against the Seahawks youth-driven defense in Week 3, it will officially be time to push the panic button.
Dishonorable Mentions: Cole Kmet (Bears), T.J. Hockenson (Lions), Hunter Henry (Patriots)
Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Buccaneers
Jameis Winston and the Saints banged-up offensive line got eaten alive on Sunday. The Bucs defense scooped up a whopping 6 sacks, 3 INT's, 2 FUM REC and a TD that helped power them to a 20-10 victory over their pesky division rival. This group has looked terrific in both games this year and will look to keep rolling versus a relatively vulnerable Packers offense in Week 3.
Honorable Mentions: Bills, 49ers, Rams
LVP: Colts
Putrid, giveaway-happy play from their offense and the fatigue that comes with that led to the Colts D putting together a pretty nondescript performance (24 points allowed, 0 sacks or takeaways) in a rough loss to the Jaguars. Considering how average they've looked to start the year, dropping them ahead of their Week 3 matchup with the Chiefs feels like the right move.
Dishonorable Mentions: Chargers, Steelers, Bengals
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