After another solid opening week of football, it’s time to do a new segment I like to call “NFL Players of the Week.” In these segments, I award the best offensive players by position (QB, RB, WR, TE), the defensive player of the week, the best kicker, and the best overall team.
So let’s get it started.
NFL Week 1 Awards
QB: Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons)
It was obvious after his performance that Matt Ryan was the best QB of week 1. Arguably the greatest performance of his career, Ryan carved up the New Orleans Saints defense and was 31/43 for 448 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT, a QBR of 91.9, and a passer rating of 128.8. In addition, he broke several Falcons records, including most single game passing yards and most TD passes in franchise history (156).
Ryan also led his 24th game winning drive of his career (a 30-27 OT victory), the most since 2008. We are potentially looking at the next elite QB in the making.
Honorable Mentions: Matthew Stafford, Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Russell Wilson
RB: Knowshon Moreno (Miami Dolphins)
For those of us not blinded by primetime games, Knowshon Moreno of the Dolphins provided the best performance by a running back in week 1, picking up 134 yards on 24 carries with a touchdown and an average of 5.6 yards per carry. Ultimately, Moreno was dynamic helping the Dolphins get a huge 33-20 upset victory over the New England Patriots.
Not bad for a guy who was injured during the offseason.
Honorable Mentions: Marshawn Lynch, DeMarco Murray, Le’veon Bell, Cordarelle Patterson
WR: Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions)
The competition was close, but ultimately in a great week for wide receivers, Megatron (once again) stood out in front of the pack. With the help of a terrific performance from Lions QB Matthew Stafford, Johnson made seven receptions for 164 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 23.4 yards per catch, as well as 6 first downs. Calvin Johnson provided a spark in an explosive offensive day, as the Lions easily defeated the New York Giants 35-14.
Chalk it up to Megatron being Megatron and doing a terrific job of getting open and evading coverage.
Honorable Mentions: Michael Floyd, AJ Green, Antonio Brown, Steve Smith
TE: Julius Thomas (Denver Broncos)
This one was easy to decide. Peyton Manning’s No. 1 guy (for the moment) came in the form of tight end Julius Thomas. In Sunday’s 31-24 Broncos victory over the Indianapolis Colts, Thomas caught seven of eight targets for 104 yards, three touchdowns, and 14.9 yards per catch.
While Demaryius Thomas claims “winners get wings,” winners like Julius Thomas also get Tight End of the Week awards too.
Honorable Mentions: Niles Paul, Antonio Gates, Greg Olsen, Jimmy Graham
Defensive Player of the Week: J.J. Watt (Houston Texans)
(Duh) Pretty soon I’m going to have to retire J.J. Watt from the list and just name the award after him, because he’s just too good. On Sunday, Watt finished with three tackles, a sack, a deflected pass, a fumble recovery, a blocked punt, a forced intentional grounding, two tackles for a loss and a whopping five QB hits. GOOD LORD.
As the heart and soul of the Texans defense, he helped lead the team to a 17-6 victory over the Washington Redskins. Not only is J.J. Watt playing big, but he’s also getting paid big.
Best Kicker: Matt Bryant (Atlanta Falcons)
On Sunday, Matt Bryant made three field goals on three attempts, including the game-tying field goal at the end of regulation, and the game winner in overtime.
All three of Bryant’s field goals went at least 40 yards, and two of them were at least 51. Those two also came during the clutch. It was a terrific day as a whole for the kicker.
Another Matt on the Falcons gets a week 1 award.
Best Team: Seattle Seahawks
No coincidence that the defending Super Bowl champs are also the best team of week 1.
Truth be told, Seattle played a near flawless game offensively and defensively. Unlike the Super Bowl, it wasn’t just the defense carrying the team this time. The offense posted 398 total yards, including 207 from the backfield. Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch orchestrated the offense as both posted two touchdowns in their respective positions. Receiver Percy Harvin gave the offense another dimension, and his athleticism put the Seahawks in excellent field position whenever he was used.
Of course, the defense was key. Like they did with Peyton Manning, the Seahawks shut down Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, allowing 255 yards of offense (80 of which came from rushing). Seattle only gave up 4.5 yards per play and recorded 65 tackles, three sacks, five tackles for a loss, four deflected passes and four QB hits. The defense was so good, and Richard Sherman wasn’t even targeted once.
Now THAT is a team.
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