Photo credit: barstoolsports.com
The narrative around the NFL continues to change with certain players raising their games to an elite level while others are starting to fade.
Week 5 featured nine games that were decided by one possession, including one overtime game(Ravens-Steelers).
Also, we officially have an MVP race on our hands.
Time to hand out some hardware!
MVP Watch
Honorable mentions
- Running back Dalvin Cook(MIN): 92 carries, 542 yards and five touchdowns(Last week: No. 7).
Cook had 21 carries for 132 yards as well as 86 receiving yards Sunday against the Giants, so why did he fall in the rankings?
The Vikings actually decided to throw the ball. In doing so, Adam Thielen ended up being the offensive MVP for the Vikes which slightly lessens Cook’s MVP value.
- Quarterback Dak Prescott(DAL): 70% completion rate, 1,606 yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. Rushing: 16 carries, 122 yards and a touchdown(Last week: No. 4).
Prescott threw for 463 yards and 2 touchdowns, which is great, but he also threw 3 interceptions, which were all at critical points in the game. If Prescott continues to turn the ball over, he’ll be off of this list pretty soon.
- Quarterback Lamar Jackson(BAL): 65% completion rate, 1,271 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. Rushing: 50 carries, 308 yards and a touchdown(Last week: No. 3).
Jackson threw for just 161 yards and a touchdown while throwing three picks. Like Prescott, Jackson needs to cut down on the turnovers if he wants to gain ground in the MVP race.
Prime contenders
- Running back Christian McCaffrey(CAR): 105 carries, 587 yards and six touchdowns. Receiving: 31 catches, 279 yards and a touchdown(Last week: not ranked).
19 carries, 176 yards and three total TD’s(two rushing, one receiving).
That stat line speaks for itself. If McCaffrey continues to produce like this, he can easily climb these rankings.
- Quarterback Tom Brady(NE): 63% completion rate, 1,409 yards, 10 touchdowns, two interceptions and a rushing touchdown(Last week: No. 8).
Once you hear a player say, “this is like a home game”, but they’re on the road, it’s trouble for the opposing team.
Brady posted 348 yards and three touchdowns against one interception Sunday against the Redskins.
The Patriots offense isn’t as explosive as recent years, but Brady should remain in the MVP conversation with numbers like these.
- Quarterback Deshaun Watson(HOU): 69% completion rate, 1,364 yards, 11 touchdowns and one interception. Rushing: 22 carries, 122 yards and three touchdowns(Last week: No. 6).
Watson had a perfect game on Sunday, going 28 for 33 for 426 yards and five touchdowns while posting a perfect passer rating of 158.3.
You see what happens when the offensive line doesn’t allow him to take a beating?
Watson is more than capable of winning MVP.
- QB Patrick Mahomes(KC): 66% completion rate, 1,831 yards, 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions(Last week: No. 1).
Gasp!!!
Mahomes threw for 321 yards, but he only threw one touchdown and missed on 17 throws.
Yes, this was in part due to his ankle injury as he got sacked four times thanks to his limited mobility.
I asked for a thrilling MVP race, though.
Now, I have one!
- QB Russell Wilson (SEA): 73% completion rate, 1,409 yards, 12 touchdowns. Rushing: 27 carries, 120 yards, and two touchdowns(Last week: No. 2).
Wilson was 17 for 23 for 268 yards and four touchdowns Thursday against the Rams.
One of the TD’s was a candidate for throw of the year as Wilson slid to his left and seemed to fire a bomb to the crowd towards the back of the end zone. However, Tyler Lockett was there to catch the impossible pass.
Wilson’s wizardry is what makes him an elite passer and the front runner for MVP.
Game of the Week: Rams at Seahawks
The Seahawks escaped with a 30–29 win after Rams Kicker Greg Zuerlein missed the game-winning 44-yard field goal as time expired. Seattle improved to 4–1 while the Rams dropped to 3–2.
Honorable mentions: Jaguars at Panthers, and Bears at Raiders from London.
Upset of the Week: Colts over Chiefs
The blueprint on how to beat the Chiefs was put out by the Colts: Be physical on defense, keep Mahomes in the pocket and control the clock offensively.
Honorable mentions: Raiders over Bears, and Broncos over Chargers
Offense of the Week: Houston Texans
The Texans scored 53 points(47 on offense) and totaled 592 yards in their 53–32 win over the Falcons.
Defense of the Week: Philadelphia Eagles
Yes it was against the Jets, but 10 sacks and three turnovers is impressive against anybody.
Honorable mention: San Francisco Niners
Dud of the Week(player): Quarterback Baker Mayfield(CLE)
Oh, boy. Where do I begin?
Baker Mayfield was 8 of 22 for 100 yards and two picks Monday against the Niners.
That’s a QBR of 13.4.
If the Browns want to make the playoffs, Baker will have to play well.
Dud of the Week(team): Cleveland Browns
Yikes.
The Browns looked like complete trash for four quarters Monday night.
Give credit to the Niners, but Cleveland was very disappointing.
Breakout player: Wide receiver Will Fuller(HOU)
Fuller was the beneficiary of Watson’s big day.
Fuller had 14 catches, 217 yards and three TD’s. If Fuller can be consistent on the opposite side of DeAndre Hopkins, look out!
Player of the Week: Running back Aaron Jones(GB)
Aaron Jones claimed Dallas as his house after torching the Cowboys.
Jones had 107 yards on 19 carries while running for four scores. He also had 75 receiving yards.
It looks like the RB woes of the Packers are no more.
Honorable mentions: Quarterback Deshaun Watson(HOU), and Running back Christian McCaffrey(CAR)
Team of the Week: Green Bay Packers
The Packers were in a groove for most of Sunday’s game against the Cowboys.
The Packers led the Cowboys 31–3 with three minutes to go in the third quarter.
They took the heart and soul away from Cowboys Nation with that performance.
Honorable mentions: Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco Niners.