This weekly segment highlights the best performances of the week in the NFL. Every position and player is eligible, all it requires is a truly epic showing. It’s not always stat driven, or analytics grade driven, though those things help you get on this list. Here is the final edition, hope you enjoyed!
1. Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
When you’re in the thick of an MVP race, this is how you stake claim to the award. One of his best showings of the season came in week 17 with a playoff bye on the line. Ryan torched the Saints defense going 27 of 36 for 331 yards and 4 touchdowns. He led the Falcons to five touchdowns on their first five drives. The Falcons called off the dogs and went conservative in the second half, likely to avoid injury, otherwise Ryan could have done further damage.
2. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
Rodgers said the Packers would run the table and much like his “relax” advice before he knew what he was talking about. He has inserted himself into the MVP discussion with this crazy run. He went 27 for 39 for 300 yards and 4 touchdowns against the Lions.
3. Brent Grimes, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Per PFF, Grimes allowed 3 total yards on 6 targets when he was in coverage. He also had a deflected pass and an interception. Miko has more ammunition to let the world know. Cam Newton would have been much better off never going his way.
4. Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints
The Saints lost 38-32 to the Falcons despite being dominated early thanks to a admirable second half run. It was too little, too late, but the Falcons could not stop Thomas. He had 10 catches for 156 yards and a touchdown, and he also recovered a teammate’s fumble with incredible hustle diving on the ball. The rookie is a star in the making and he put up huge numbers this season.
5. Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots
Speaking of MVP, if Ryan/Rodgers don’t win, that’s because it’ll go to Tom Brady. In fact, Brady unquestionably deserves the title over the last 12 games. The only question is whether his 4 game suspension will cost him the award. This week we’re honoring his favorite target for a change, though, as Edelman had 8 receptions for 151 yards and a touchdown.
Previous entries:
Week 17 (M. Ryan, A. Rodgers, B. Grimes, M. Thomas, J. Edelman)
Week 16 (A. Thielen, J. Ajayi, A. Rodgers, T. Kelce, D. Bryant)
Week 15 (B. Cooks, T. Montgomery, L. McCoy, D. Brees, E. Elliott)
Week 14 (L. Bell, V. Beasley, T. Brady, C. Hyde, J. Jenkins)
Week 13 (E. Berry, J. Flacco, T. Kelce, A. Hicks, A. Luck)
Week 12 (K. Mack, J. Houston, D. Brees, M. Ingram, V. Miller)
Week 11 (T. Brady, X. Rhodes, R. Kelley, L. Bell, K. Cousins)
Week 10 (D. Stewart, E. Elliott, R. Wilson, D. Walker, B. Roethlisberger)
Week 9 (M. Gordon, M. Ryan, K. Mack, M. Ingram, J. Graham)
Week 8 (D. Carr, K. Mack, J. Howard, T. Brady, T. Eifert)
Week 7 (J. Ajayi, A. Green, A. Luck, J. Hill, D. Adams)
Week 6 (D. Brees, O. Beckham, J. Ajayi, L. McCoy, T. Brady)
Week 5 (T. Brady, B. Roethlisberger, E. Elliott, V. Beasley, T. Hilton)
Week 4 (J. Jones, L. Bell, M. Ryan, C. Heyward, A. Talib)
Week 3 (D. Freeman, T. Siemien, M. Jones, T. Pryor, D. Amerson)
Week 2 (V. Miller, S. Diggs, C. Newton, M. Peters, M. Forte)
Week 1 (A. Green, D. Brees, S. Ware, D. Williams, L. Williams)
