Every week dozens of players stand out and perform exemplary. Today I am going to be highlighting the top 5 players or units that stood out.
Honorable Mention: Nick Bosa
Nick Bosa is building his defensive player of the year resume, this week it was the Dolphins offensive line that he tortured for 60 minutes finishing with three sacks and an extra quarterback hit. His disruptive presence and the attention helped limit the explosive attack of the Dolphins to 17 points. The 49ers currently own the number one scoring defense by a wide margin letting up a measly 15.8 points per game, 1.2 less than the second closest team (Broncos, 17.0). Of course Bosa is leading the way and is now up to a NFL high 14.5 sacks.
Honorable Mention: Bobby Wagner
Bobby Wagner was all over the field for the Rams, doing anything and everything to try to stop the losing streak against his former team. He had seven tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss, and an interception where he ripped the ball away from the receiver. Ultimately, the Rams fell to the Seahawks 27-23 but Bobby Wagner reminded everyone again that he will eventually be in the hall of fame.
#5 Geno Smith
Geno Smith had himself a day, going 28-39 for 367 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. On a day where Seattle running backs Kenneth Walker and DeeJay Dallas both got hurt in the first half, the Seahawks had the lean on their quarterback’s right arm. Geno Smith did not disappoint, spreading the ball around to eight different receivers as he compiled a career high 367 passing yards. He was at his best when his team needed him the most, down by three with just under 2:56 seconds left in the game, he went 6-9 for 70 yards and a touchdown, for the game winning drive. In his 10th year in the league, Geno Smith is having his best season. He is only one win away from tying a career season high (he went 8-8 as a rookie) and, incredibly, he already has a career high in single season passing yards with 3,169. It is safe to say, he is going to obliterate his previous record, considering there are still five games left.
#4 Justin Simmons
The Denver Broncos signed Justin Simmons to a 4-year 61 million dollar contract extension last offseason, and it is looking more and more like a good investment. While the Broncos ended up losing a very close game 10-9 against the Baltimore Ravens, Simmons did everything in his power to give the Broncos a chance. In the games, Justin Simmons had five tackles, a tackle for loss and two interceptions. Both of Simmons’ interceptions were in the third quarter and they both had a direct impact on scoring. The first pick, stopped the Ravens drive where they had previously marched 28 yards in three plays and set the Broncos up on the Ravens’ 40 yard line. The Broncos, of course, went three and out but were still able to kick a field goal thanks to the good field position. Simmons’ second pick came the following Ravens’ drive where they had drove 10 plays for 49 yards and were on the Broncos 29 yard line, well within Justin Tucker’s range it kept at least three, but potentially seven points off the board. While ultimately it wasn’t enough, Justin Simmons should be proud of his play.
#3 Davante Adams
I remember before the season when some people were questioning if Davante Adams would be just as good without Aaron Rodgers. If you don’t know by now, the answer is a resounding yes. Adams proved it again last Sunday, torching the Chargers defense with 8 catches for 177 yards and 2 touchdowns. Both of his touchdowns came in the second half, including a 45 yard flea flicker to give them a two score lead 24-14. The Raiders held on to win 27-20, their third win in a row, over those wins Davante Adams has been fantastic compiling 392 yards and four touchdowns. Adams most recent 177 yards is the fourth most yards he has had in a game in his 9 year career, and the most he has had on the Raiders.
#2 Chandler Jones
The second Raiders’ player in a row, Chandler Jones was a wrecking ball on his side of the ball to make sure they pulled out the win. Jones finished the game with six tackles, with five of them being solo tackles, three sacks, five quarterback hits, and a pass deflection. Entering the game, Jones had been disappointing this year, only having 0.5 sacks, especially considering the Raiders just signed him last offseason to a three year 51 million dollar contract. Jones played up to his contract against the Chargers this week, in the first half alone he wrapped up the quarterback three separate times. And throughout the game he continually harassed Justin Herbert, hitting him two more times. Jones even picked up a pass deflection, on a drop back when he couldn’t get to him. Chandler Jones’ impact was all over the game, on the fourth drive of the game, with the score still tied 0-0, the Chargers had the ball in the red zone with fourth and two on the Raiders’ 17. Justin Herbert scrambled up the middle, before being turned back by Chandler Jones one yard short to force the turnover on downs. The Raiders won 27-20, if Jones and Davante Adams keep up this level of play, they might still be able to make a run to the playoffs.
#1 Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts is on an absolutely monster tear right now, last week he finished number 2 on this list thanks to over 150 yards throwing and 150 yards running with 2 touchdowns, leading the Eagles to a 40-33 win over the Packers. This week he might have even topped himself. Not running nearly as much, Hurts leaned on his passing game, shredding the Titans to the tune of 29-39 for 380 yards and three touchdowns. This aerial attack gave him a phenomenal 130.3 passer rating, his second highest of his career. Hurts also had a rushing touchdown too because, why not, he was doing whatever he wanted against the Titans. His monster day showed on the scoreboard too as the Eagles completely out gunned the Titans 35-10. What makes this performance even more impressive is his insane first half, in just the opening 30 minutes of the game Hurt had 268 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, and one rushing touchdown, his first half alone would be one of the best passing performances of the week. For most of the year, Patrick Mahomes was the clear cut leader for MVP, but the way Hurts has been playing lately it is a true blue, knock down, drag out race that may come down to the final game.