Quarterback:
MVP: Justin Herbert (Chargers)
The Kellen Moore effect continues to be very real for Herbert as he shredded the helpless Vikings secondary for 405 YDS and 3 TD's in a pure shootout that the Chargers ended up winning. While his numbers should drop a bit once Austin Ekeler returns from his ankle injury, Herbert's still in tremendous shape to be a top 3-5 fantasy quarterback this season.
Honorable Mentions: Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins), Lamar Jackson (Ravens), Kirk Cousins (Vikings)
LVP: Justin Fields (Bears)
Fields' nightmarish start to the 2023 season reached an embarrassing new low versus the Chiefs. Although he did finally pick up some rushing YDS (47 on 11 carries), that encouraging sign was completely negated by a horrendous passing day (99 YDS/1 TD/1 INT) as the Bears put together a complete no-show against the defending Super Bowl Champions. If anything can get Fields going, it's a Week 4 visit from the reeling Broncos and their garbage defense that just allowed 70 points to the Dolphins.
Dishonorable Mentions: Joe Burrow (Bengals), Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars), Dak Prescott (Cowboys)
Running Back:
MVP: Raheem Mostert (Dolphins)
It was a Madden-esque scoring free-for-all for many members of the Dolphins offense against the Broncos and since not very many people had rookie De'Von Achane in their lineups (or on their teams for that matter), Mostert ended up making the most impact in fantasy. The 31-year old speed back only needed 20 touches (13 carries, 7 receptions) to pick up 142 scrimmage YDS (82 rushing, 60 receiving) and 4 TD's on a day where the Broncos D had zero answers for anything they were doing on offense. A muddled backfield committee that could only get messier once Jeff Wilson Jr. gets activated off IR and his lengthy injury history will definitely limit some of Mostert's long-term appeal, but for now, keep rolling with him every week regardless of matchup.
Honorable Mentions: Kenneth Walker III (Seahawks), Zack Moss (Colts), Christian McCaffery (49ers)
LVP: Derrick Henry (Titans)
A stout Browns defensive front and early double digit deficit for the Titans minimized Henry's contributions-as he only managed 11 carries for 20 YDS on the afternoon. He should have a much easier time finding rushing lanes and staying involved all game long against a Steelers team that has a shaky offense and run defense in Week 4.
Dishonorable Mentions: Breece Hall (Jets), Khalil Herbert (Bears), Rachaad White (Buccaneers)
Wide Receiver:
MVP: Keenan Allen (Chargers)
Did Allen just have the best game of his career in his 11th year in the league? Honestly, he just might've. The Chargers longtime WR1 was a Swiss Army Knife of torture for the Vikings porous secondary as he secured 18 catches for 215 YDS and threw a 49-TD pass to Mike Williams. Allen could be in line for another massive performance in Week 4 against a Raiders pass defense that is currently ranked 27th in the league.
Honorable Mentions: Davante Adams (Raiders), Tyreek Hill (Dolphins), Justin Jefferson (Vikings)
LVP: Tee Higgins (Bengals)
After getting back on track last week following his Week 1 donut, Higgins is back on Sadness ST in Week 3. He only managed a pair of receptions for 21 YDS on a night where an ailing Joe Burrow could only connect with his old pal Ja'Marr Chase and the Bengals D carried them to a victory in a dogfight with the Rams on Monday Night Football. As long as Burrow remains hobbled, Higgins is going to have a tough time consistently producing-which will make him one of the more volatile WR2's out there for at least the next few weeks.
Dishonorable Mentions: DeVonta Smith (Eagles), Drake London (Falcons), Jahan Dotson (Commanders)
Tight End:
MVP: Sam LaPorta (Lions)
Finally, the LaPorta breakout game has arrived. The rookie out of the University of Iowa turned his 11 targets-which was tied with Amon-Ra St. Brown for the team-high-against the Falcons into 8 catches, 84 YDS and TD as the Lions improved to 2-1 on the season. LaPorta has quickly earned the trust of Jared Goff and even when Jameson Williams returns from suspension in Week 7, he should continue to have a huge role in the passing game.
Honorable Mentions: Travis Kelce (Chiefs), George Kittle (49ers), Pat Friermuth (Steelers)
LVP: Hunter Henry (Patriots)
Henry took a backseat to offensive hero of the day Pharaoh Brown against the Jets, only picking up 2 catches for 17 YDS in a game where the Patriots passing attack struggled mightily. As the Pats schedule softens up in the coming weeks, Henry should return to being a a solid TE1 play but he's definitely not the safest start in the world in Week 4 when he goes up against a Cowboys defense that will likely be out for blood coming off of their porous showing versus the Cardinals.
Dishonorable Mentions: Dalton Kincaid (Bills), Darren Waller (Giants), Cole Kmet (Bears)
Defense/Special Teams:
MVP: Bills
Sam Howell's unbeaten streak as a starter came to a painful end at the hands of the Bills swarming defense. Sean McDermott's group just straight-up obliterated the 2nd year QB, sacking him 9 times and picking him off 4 (1 of which was returned for a TD by defensive end A.J. Epenesa). Forcing Antonio Gibson to fumble and only surrendering 3 points put a cherry on top of their incredible day in Landover, Maryland. They're in line for a much tougher challenge when they return to Orchard Park to take on the scorching hot Dolphins offense in Week 4.
Honorable Mentions: Browns, Eagles, Chiefs
LVP: Jaguars
It only took 3 weeks to produce 2023's first streaming D/ST flop. The Jaguars D delivered a less-than-ideal follow-up to their exceptional performance against the Chiefs in Week 2 by getting kicked in the teeth by rookie C.J. Stroud and the young Texans offense. Not only did they surrender 31 points to the upstart group, they failed to force a turnover or even earn a single sack (the latter is particularly brutal since he'd been brought down 11 times in the previous 2 games). Anybody who decides to give the Jaguars a second chance this week could be rewarded handsomely as the Jags head to their happy place in London to take on a Falcons offense that has had some trouble with turnovers in the earlygoing.
Dishonorable Mentions: Cowboys, Jets, Seahawks
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