RB, Chase Brown-Cincinnati Bengals:
Losing both Joe Mixon and Tyler Boyd may have hurt the Bengals offense more than anticipated. This week’s effort by Brown may have saved their season. Not that his 15 carries for 80 YDs was spectacular, but it was more than solid. His two TDs can give them confidence moving forward in the red zone and specifically inside the 10-yard line. Beginning the season 1-3 is no picnic, but starting 0-4 would have been a lost season.
CJ Stroud-Houston Texans:
This was a sneaky, tough game against the Jaguars. The Jags desperately needed a win to avoid an 0-4 start. And some doubt had to creep into Houston’s locker room, coming off a terrible loss. It wasn’t always pretty, but they prevailed 24-20, with Stroud leading the way. He was 27-40 for 345 YDs and two TDs.
Nico Collins-Houston Texans:
With Tank Dell out, it freed up passes for the rest of the receiving core. Collins was the biggest recipient, catching 12 passes for 151 YDs and a TD.
Sam Darnold-Minnesota Vikings:
All this guy does is win. What a story Darnold has become this year…and good for him. He finds his way on this winners list every week. He was incredibly efficient 20-28 and 275 YDs with three more TD passes.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Joe Flacco-Indianapolis Colts:
Does Flacco have a voodoo doll for every starting quarterback of the new team he joins each year? It happened again on Sunday; Anthony Richardson left the game with a hip injury and what looked to be a possible concussion. No problem, Flacco came in and won the game in relief. He was 16-26 and 168 YDs with two TDs. I have more faith in the team with him as the team’s QB1 moving forward.
D’andre Swift-Chicago Bears:
Finally, Swift played up to his potential and was an integral part of the Bears victory. He had 16 rushes for 93 YDs, and added 72 passing YDs on seven catches. He rushed for a TD while compiling 165 total YDs. The Bears short and long-term future is brighter with him having these types of games, which are within his talent.
Baker Mayfield-Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Aside from having a beef with Tom Brady, Mayfield played a pretty perfect game. He completed 30 passes for 347 yards and two touchdowns. With regard to Brady, he threw a not-so-subtle do at the GOAT, saying the team has been far more relaxed these past two seasons with him at the helm. Maybe he has a point. Brady’s last year in Tampa only produced an 8-9 record.
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 17: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signals at the line of scrimmage during the first half against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 17, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Jordan Mason-San Fransisco 49ers:
Who needs Christian McCaffrey? Mason is doing a great impersonation so far. On 24 carries, he rushed for 123 YDs and TD. Although he doesn’t have the same pass-catching abilities out of the backfield as CMC does, the team is solid enough with enough other weapons to tread water for the time being.
Jeremy McNichols-Washington Commanders:
A term in fantasy football that everyone hates is vulture. This is when a RB vultures a TD from the RB1. In looking quickly at the box score one may think McNichols vultured a couple of TDs from Brian Robinson, but that’s not the case. But he definitely maximized his output. On only eight carries, he rushed for 68 YDs with two TDs. One of the TDs was a rush of 27 YDs, and the other was seven YDs. The Commanders are proving to be legitimate…if they develop a solid RB2 to go with Robinson, they will be downright scary.