Quarterback
MVP: Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins)
Adam Schefter would've been well within his rights to fire off another "ASSAULT" tweet after watching what Tua did to the Chargers on Sunday afternoon. Other than a pair of giveaways (an INT and lost fumble), the 4th year QB put together a masterpiece of a game-throwing for 466 YDS and 3 TD's as the 'Phins went onto win a crazy shootout at SoFi. A Patriots secondary that did a pretty good job of limiting Jalen Hurts through the air in Week 1 awaits him next.
Honorable Mentions: Deshaun Watson (Browns), Anthony Richardson (Colts), Justin Herbert (Chargers)
LVP: Joe Burrow (Bengals)
Nobody is disputing whether or not it was worth it but the optics of Burrow putting together the worst game of his pro career mere days after signing the largest contract in NFL history are horrendous. Joe Burr took on a whole new meaning as the Bengals QB was ice cold against the Browns, throwing for a pitiful 82 YDS, 0 TD's and an INT in an embarrassing no-show by the entire team. He'll attempt to redeem himself in Week 2 in another key AFC North bout against the Ravens
Dishonorable Mentions: Josh Allen (Bills), Dak Prescott (Cowboys), Lamar Jackson (Ravens)
Running Back
MVP: Christian McCaffery (49ers)
McCaffery picked up right where he left off in 2022 as he torched the Steelers for 152 YDS and a TD on 22 carries while adding 3 receptions for 17 YDS to further pad his monster statline. If he can get those pass-catching numbers up and stay healthy, he'll have an excellent chance of being this year's top overall fantasy player.
Honorable Mentions: Aaron Jones (Packers), Austin Ekeler (Chargers), Tony Pollard (Cowboys)
LVP: Najee Harris (Steelers)
To be fair, Harris did rip off a couple of good runs in this game. However, it didn't really matter much as gamescript rendered him irrelevant as the Steelers got pantsed by the 49ers in front of their home crowd and he ended the game with just 8 touches (6 caries, 2 receptions) for 33 YDS. Monday night's tilt with the Browns should provide him much more volume and thus, a better idea of where he stands in this offense in 2023.
Dishonorable Mentions: Dameon Pierce (Texans), D'Andre Swift (Eagles), A.J Dillon (Packers)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Tyreek Hill (Dolphins)
Hill was the primary beneficiary of Tua's eruption-dusting a comically overmatched Chargers secondary for 215 YDS and 2 TD's on 11 receptions. While the Patriots will certainly give Hill more attention than the Chargers did, their young corner group led by Christian Gonzalez, Marcus Jones and Myles Bryant could have a tough time containing him.
Honorable Mentions: Brandon Aiyuk (49ers), Stefon Diggs (Bills), Calvin Ridley (Jaguars)
LVP: Tee Higgins (Bengals)
Unlike fellow member of the donut club Drake London, Higgins did get peppered with targets (8). But Joe Burrow looking his way often doesn't change the fact that he failed to make a single catch against the Browns and this dud caused a lot of people to lose their fantasy games. The long-term concerns about Higgins' ability to perform are non-existent and it wouldn't be at all surprising if he turns things around as soon as this Sunday versus the Ravens.
Dishonorable Mentions: Drake London (Falcons), Tyler Lockett (Seahawks), D.J. Moore (Bears)
Tight End
MVP: Evan Engram (Jaguars)
Nothing exemplifies the sad state of affairs at the tight end position right now-especially in a week where both Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews were sidelined-quite like Evan Engram being the MVP among TE1's with a 5 REC/49 YD line against the Colts. About the only comfort that Engram's ho-hum performance provided his fantasy owners with is the confirmation that Calvin Ridley's arrival wasn't going to minimize his role in the Jags offense. He'll look to provide better numbers and maybe even find the endzone against the Chiefs on Sunday.
Honorable Mentions: T.J. Hockenson (Vikings), Tyler Higbee (Rams), Cole Kmet (Bears)
LVP: Dallas Goedert (Eagles)
Hurts' suspect performance on Sunday against the Patriots is no excuse for only looking Goedert's way 1 time and allowing him to finish the game without a catch. He's too damn dynamic and tough to matchup against to be used so sparingly in an offense that was basically unstoppable a year ago. Hopefully he'll much more involved in Thursday's contest with the Vikings.
Dishonorable Mentions: Chigoziem Okonkwo (Titans), George Kittle (49ers), David Njoku (Browns)
Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Cowboys
The eye-popping box score (7 sacks, 2 INT's-including a pick 6, FUM REC, a blocked filed goal that was returned for a TD) dosen't properly convey just how dominant the Cowboys D/ST was on Sunday. The Giants were knocked so out of rhythm by their physicality, speed and stellar execution that they had a bitch of time trying to get 1st downs, let alone score points in a 40-0 home loss that was over before the end of 1st quarter. The next team set to run into this buzzsaw group?: How about the Zach Wilson-led Jets! This kid really can't catch a break man...
Honorable Mentions: Jets, 49ers, Eagles
LVP: Dolphins
Outside of a couple of 4th quarter stops, the Vic Fangio effect was not immediately felt in Miami. They surrendered 34 points to a Chargers offense that looked pretty great under their 1st game with Kellen Moore as OC while only registering 3 sacks against their retooled offensive line and failed to generate any takeaways. They'll look to play a cleaner, more aggressive game in Week 2 against a Patriots offense that surrendered a pair of sacks and giveaways to the Eagles in Week 1.
Dishonorable Mentions: Bills, Steelers, Broncos
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