NFL
NFL Week 1: Players Of The Week Revealed
BREAKING: Patrick Mahomes, Ryan Fitzpatrick among Players of the Week https://t.co/tFt88iBlmI pic.twitter.com/ocCN4I44dF
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) September 12, 2018
Around The NFL writer Herbie Teope recently revealed the Players of the Week after the first week of the NFL season. Week 1 had its fair share of extraordinary performances, making this a tough week to give such recognition. Snubs include Tyreek Hill, Aaron Rodgers, and Khalil Mack.
NFC
The NFC shook out just how we expected it to Week 1; Ryan Fitzpatrick scored 5 TDs, put up over 400 total yards, and led the Bucs to a 48-40 victory over the Saints, a team that ranked as high as 3rd in ESPN’s NFL power rankings throughout the preseason.
A performance so good that he has been coined as “Fitzmagic”, The former Harvard QB took home not only NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors but was also named Offensive Player of the Week.
It's Fitzmagic Monday 🙌
Ryan Fitzpatrick steals the show with an EPIC 4️⃣passing and 1️⃣rushing touchdown performance 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Now that's how you kickoff the new season 👏 pic.twitter.com/JcSXyDzkkV
— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) September 10, 2018
Although his performance was good enough to net him a spot on the Pro Football Focus’ Team of the Week, Chicago Bears edge rusher Khalil Mack was edged out by another stellar NFC defender. Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith instead got the nod for NFC Defensive Player of the Week. Smith also took home Defensive Player of the Week honors.
The Vikings defender was a Swiss Army knife in a 24-16 victory over the San Francisco 49ers—racking up eight tackles (two for loss), a fumble recovery, a sack, a quarterback hit, a pass defense and a game-sealing interception.
Harrison Smith making an early head start on his Defensive Player of the Year campaign:
• One sack,
• Two tackles for loss,
• One goal line stop
• One goal line fumble recovery
• And the game-winning interception. pic.twitter.com/E84vMGFWff— Nick Olson (@NickOlsonNFL) September 9, 2018
Los Angeles Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein wraps up the NFC, earning Special Teams Player of the Week honors for Week 1. Zuerlein was responsible for 15 of the 33 points scored by the Rams, including a 55-yarder that the former Missouri Western kicker nailed.
AFC
Following suit with the NFC, the AFC had a proficient signal-caller take home Offensive Player of the Week honors. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City offense picked up right where Matt Nagy left off at the end of the 2017 season, putting together an explosive effort in a 38-28 victory over the division rival Los Angeles Chargers.
The Chiefs’ gunslinger racked up 277 total yards and tossed 4 TDs in the victory—and looks to be one of the sophomore standouts in the 2018 NFL season.
👏👏👏 RT to congratulate @PatrickMahomes5. #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/f1IZS0Xdnj
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) September 12, 2018
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt had an equally stellar performance on the defensive side of the ball. The “sophomore” linebacker had a jaw-dropping 4 sack performance. Watt also racked up 11 tackles (one for loss) and a game-saving FG block.
Miami Dolphins return specialist Jakeem Grant caps off the AFC taking home the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Grant had a 102-yard return touchdown in a 27-20 Miami Dolphins’ win over the Tennessee Titans.
Photo credit to scottclause.com via Flickr
