This wasn’t the week 3 we expected, but it concludes with a bizarre set of quarterbacks performing well (even including a few QB duels) and the ones we’ve expected to perform highly (Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady) struggling early. As the younger QBs continue to show off their skills, we’re seeing new stars emerge on other positions as well.
With that being said, I present my NFL Week 3 Awards.
Best QB: Andrew Luck (Indianapolis Colts)
After back-to-back comebacks that came up just short (against DEN and PHI), the Colts finally got on the board with a blowout 44-17 victory over the Jaguars. Most of that was due to Andrew Luck. Luck excelled, throwing 31/39 while passing for 370 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions, a 90.4 QBR, and a 140.4 passer rating.
Luck rarely made mistakes and didn’t even need a comeback to try and win this time around, carrying the Colts to their first win of the season.
Honorable Mentions: Matt Ryan, Kirk Cousins, Nick Foles, Philip Rivers
Best RB: Le’Veon Bell (Pittsburgh Steelers)
This one isn’t much of a surprise. Bell’s dynamic performance against the Panthers on Sunday night was a show, where he ran for 147 yards and 7.0 yards per carry, including an 81-yard run. Bell and fellow Steelers running back LeGarrette Blount combined for 265 yards on the day, helping Pittsburgh get a crucial 37-19 victory over Carolina.
Honorable Mentions: Rashad Jennings, Lamar Miller, LeGarrette Blount, Lorenzo Taliaferro
Best WR: Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons)
The Falcons needed this. They needed their star receiver to come back from a devastating 2013 injury. And he has.
Julio Jones (along with Matt Ryan) was a monster on Thursday night, destroying the Tampa Bay secondary with nine receptions for 161 yards, 17.9 yards per carry, and two touchdowns, including a miraculous 40-yard TD catch where he went full Willie Mays.
The Ryan/Julio duo led the way as the Falcons brutally ripped the Buccaneers apart 56-14.
Honorable Mentions: Jeremy Maclin, Taylor Gabriel, DeSean Jackson, Michael Floyd
Best TE: Martellus Bennett (Chicago Bears)
Despite a touchdown drop, Martellus Bennett played an otherwise terrific game against the Jets on Monday night, catching five receptions for 54 yards and two touchdowns. In a week that was surprisingly unspectacular for tight ends, Bennett’s performance gave us one to remember at the very least.
Honorable Mentions: Greg Olsen, Jared Cook, Scott Chandler, Niles Paul
Defensive Player Of The Week: Kyle Fuller (Chicago Bears)
The Bears rookie corner may be on to something here.
Kyle Fuller had a terrific defensive performance on Monday night’s 27-19 Chicago victory, including an interception, two forced fumbles, seven tackles, and two deflected passes.
This was the sort of secondary play the Bears did not have in 2013, and desperately needs this year. Kyle Fuller has answered those pleas and has excelled so far in his rookie year. We could be witnessing the next great corner.
Best Kicker: Nick Folk (New York Jets)
Despite a losing effort, Nick Folk made a valiant effort in keeping the Jets in against the Bears, making all four of his field goals. This included two in the 40-49 range, along with two more in the 20-29 range. The Jets were also down by as many as 14 points in addition.
Biggest Upset: Detroit Lions
While not the upset last week’s Browns victory over the Saints was, I don’t think any of us expected the Lions defense to contain Aaron Rodgers and the Packers with Matthew Stafford also throwing two interceptions (despite a 62.0 QBR). But that’s what the Lions did. Detroit put two sacks, three quarterback hits, six tackles- for-loss, and five deflected passes against their rivals for a 19-7 victory.
Detroit moves to 2-1 and on top of the NFC North (for now).
Best Team: Cincinnati Bengals
Despite losing both of their coordinators, the Bengals don’t appear to be slowing down. In fact, they look better than ever, climbing to the top of the NFL with a 3-0 record. On Sunday, Cincinnati easily took care of the Titans 33-7, with the defense picking off Jake Locker twice, and giving him zero room.
The offense took care of everything else. Andy Dalton, despite no touchdowns and a pick, finished with a 71.1 QBR, and even CAUGHT A PASS and ran for the touchdown on the same play.
Efforts like this are reason to believe the Bengals could finally break their postseason win drought this winter.
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