Quarterback
MVP: Josh Allen (Bills)
No Stefon Diggs, no problem for Josh Allen. The Bills QB put together a vintage, get-on-my-back performance in a surprising Week 1 shootout with the frisky Cardinals, throwing for 232 YDS and 2 TD's and adding 39 YDS and another 2 TD's on the ground. Allen did sustain an injury to his non-throwing hand in the 4th quarter, but he's already been cleared to play in Thursday's night contest with the Dolphins, so his play level may not be affected all that much.
Honorable Mentions: Jayden Daniels (Commanders), Anthony Richardson (Colts), Lamar Jackson (Ravens)
LVP: Joe Burrow (Bengals)
The Week 1 Bengals reared their ugly head yet again in 2024 and Burrow certainly contributed to their poor performance in a loss against a Patriots team that was widely predicted to be the worst in football this season-throwing for just 164 YDS, rushing for another 15 and scoring 0 TD's. A Week 2 trip to Arrowhead is about as bad of a bounceback spot as you could draw in the NFL, but maybe the bright lights will inspire Burrow and Zac Taylor to wake up after such a dismal performance in the season opener.
Dishonorable Mentions: Caleb Williams (Bears), Dak Prescott (Cowboys), Brock Purdy (49ers)
Running Back
MVP: Saquon Barkley (Eagles)
What a start to the Saquon Barkley era in Philly. The new Eagles running back put an absolute beatdown on the Packers in Sao Paulo on Friday night, picking up 132 YDS scrimmage YDS (109 rushing, 23 receiving) and 3 total TD's on 26 touches. Running behind a real offensive line for the first time in like 4 years should continue to do wonders for Barkley's production and if he stays healthy all season, I'd be surprised if he wasn't a top 3-5 overall back.
Honorable Mentions: Joe Mixon (Texans), Rhamondre Stevenson (Patriots), Alvin Kamara (Saints)
LVP: Raheem Mostert (Dolphins)
While it's too early to reach any meaningful conclusions, Mostert's Week 1 performance only intensified the concern that the 32-year-old back is speeding towards the wall after his surprising monster 2023 campaign. The Dolphins 1B back was putrid in his relatively limited action on Sunday against the Jaguars, picking up just 19 YDS on 8 touches (6 carries, 2 receptions). Making matters worse, Mostert suffered a chest injury at the end of the game and his availability on a short week for Thursday's contest with the Bills is up in the air. Fantasy managers should definitely consider adding Jeff Wilson Jr. on the wire this week if they have a roster spot available.
Dishonorable Mentions: Javonte Williams (Broncos), Zamir White (Raiders) D'Andre Swift (Bears)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Jayden Reed (Packers)
Reed was the clear best offensive player for the Packers versus the Eagles in Week 1. The 2023 2nd round pick kicked off his sophomore campaign with a bang, posting a 4/138/1 receiving line and rushing for a 33-YD score on a beautifully executed jet sweep. Having Malik Willis under center for the next 2-4 weeks while Jordan Love heals from a sprained MCL could damper the Reed party for a bit, but he should remain a great fantasy asset in 2024 regardless of how Willis performs during his time in the starting lineup.
Honorable Mentions: Cooper Kupp (Rams), Tyreek Hill (Dolphins), Mike Evans (Buccaneers)
LVP: Marvin Harrison Jr. (Cardinals)
Anybody who expected Harrison Jr. to enter the NFL with a bang had to have been really sad on Sunday. Kyler Murray barely even acknowledged MHJ was on the field against a stingy Bills secondary as he was targeted just 3 times and only hauled in a single catch for 4 YDS on the day. While there's zero chance that Greg Dortch will continue to be the team's most targeted/productive receiver, Harrison Jr. could have a tough time breaking through in Week 2 against a Rams secondary that just put the clamps on Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Dishonorable Mentions: Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions), Chris Olave (Saints), Drake London (Falcons)
Tight End
MVP: Kyle Pitts (Falcons)
Since Isaiah Likely was only rostered in about 25-30% of all leagues on the major fantasy sites coming into this week, the criteria for standout performances for tight ends had to be lowered considerably since literally nobody else playing the position had a great game besides him. Leading the crop of popular TE Week 1 starters was none other than Kyle Pitts aka the man who has spent the majority of the past 2 seasons breaking his fantasy managers hearts. The long-tortured Falcons TE celebrated his 1st game free from the clutches of Arthur Smith's scheme by finding the endzone for just the 7th time in his career against the Steelers. That TD helped elevate an otherwise blah line (3 REC/26 YDS) on a day where Kirk Cousins looked terrible, and some Falcons fans have already started to call for Michael Penix Jr. to be named the starting quarterback. We'll see how where the Pitts roller coaster goes from here, but it was thrilling to see him kick off his prospective redemption campaign on the right foot.
Honorable Mentions: Brock Bowers (Raiders), Sam LaPorta (Lions), David Njoku (Browns)
LVP: Dalton Kincaid (Bills)
Anybody who invested a top 60-70 pick on Kincaid has to be shitting themselves right now (I know I am!). The 2nd year tight end who was expected to be the top beneficiary from all the shakeups in the Bills receiver room this offseason was outtargeted by 3 Bills pass-catchers and outgained by 8 as he caught just 1-of-2 targets for 11 YDS in Sunday's win against the Cardinals. To be fair to Kincaid, Keon Coleman was the only guy on the team to get more than 3 targets as Joe Brady once again favored the run a bit with his playcalling (Allen only threw 23 passes on the day). Kincaid has a date with the Dolphins in Week 2.
Dishonorable Mentions: Evan Engram (Jaguars), Mark Andrews (Ravens), Luke Musgrave (Packers)
Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Bears
The clock turned back to 2006 as big plays from the D/ST and the dynamite right leg of their kicker (Cairo Santos) allowed the Bears to win a game they had no business winning. After going down 17-0 to a pretty young Titans team, this group went berserk-picking up 3 sacks, 2 INT's, a fumble recovery, blocked punt, 2 TD's (return on the blocked punt by the Jonathan Owens, pick 6 by Tyrique Stevenson) and allowing 0 points the rest of the way as they pulled out a 24-17 victory. This group will likely have to be spectacular again if they want to knock off the Texans on the road in Week 2.
Honorable Mentions: Cowboys, Vikings, Saints
LVP: Jets
The vaunted Jets defense had absolutely zero answers for the Christian McCaffery-less 49ers offense last night as Jordan Mason ran all over them, Jake Moody booted 6 field goals and everybody besides Brandon Aiyuk was able to haul a few big catches on them in the passing game in a 32-19 loss. 3 sacks ended up being the only positive contributions they made in the game. A date with the Will Levis-led Titans offense that opened up the door for the Bears to make their aforementioned hilarious improbable comeback last Sunday should be just what the doctor ordered for them to return to their elite form.
Dishonorable Mentions: Bengals, Browns, Eagles
No comments:
Post a Comment