As the NFL season gets underway, I have decided to do a weekly NFL Awards Ladder, where we can look back on how the season unfolds. This series will track the shifts in each award race as the season progresses. Let's see how things are shaping up after Week 1.
MVP: Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Is this likely to last? Of course not, but Baker Mayfield was dominant in Week 1. The Buccaneers QB threw for 289 yards and 4 touchdowns, completing 24 of 30 passes in the Bucs' 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders. Mayfield looked as good as ever in his season debut as he looks to build of his success from last year in his second year in Tampa.
Season Stats: 4 TDS, 0 INTS, 289 YDS, 80 CMP%, 86.2 QBR
MVP Ladder After Week 1:
Baker Mayfield
T.J. Watt
Josh Allen
Patrick Mahomes
Matthew Stafford
Offensive Player Of The Year: Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
In his first game as an Eagle, Saquon Barkley was the best player on that awful field Friday night in Brazil in the Birds win over the Packers. Barkley rushed for 109 yards and 2 touchdowns, and also caught a touchdown pass, adding 23 receiving yards. If he can maintain or have similar types of performances throughout the season, we could be looking at a similar impact that what we’ve seen with Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco over the last two years.
Season Stats: 109 RUSH YDS, 23 REC YDS, 2 RUSH TDS, 1 REC TD, 2 REC
OPOY Ladder After Week 1:
Saquon Barkley
Cooper Kupp
Jayden Reed
Baker Mayfield
Josh Allen
Defensive Player Of The Year: T.J. Watt, OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers
This is the easiest one to give out after one week. In the Steelers' Week 1 win on the road in Atlanta, Watt was by far the best not only in this game but perhaps across the league this weekend. In the Steelers' 18-10 win, Watt had a sack, two QB hits, and sealed the game by recovering a fumble late in the fourth. A great start to the season for one of the best players in the game.
Season Stats: 4 TCKLS, 2 SOLO, 1 SACK, 0 FF, 1 FR
DPOY Ladder After Week 1:
T.J. Watt
Gregory Rosseau
Micah Parsons
Fred Warner
Alontae Taylor
Offensive Rookie Of The Year: Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Your first NFL touchdown before your first NFL catch? Not shabby for the rookie receiver in his pro debut. In Week 1, Worthy was a weapon for the Chiefs, showcasing his speed throughout the game. Early on, Worthy took a jet sweep 21 yards to the house and in the fourth quarter, he added a receiving touchdown with a 35-yard catch. On a weekend where many rookies struggled, Worthy’s standout performance on primetime gives him a head start over the rest of his fellow rookie class.
Season Stats: 2 REC, 47 REC YDS, 1 REC TD, 21 RUSH YDS, 1 RUSH TD
OROY Ladder After Week 1:
Xavier Worthy
Joe Alt
Brian Thomas Jr.
Ladd McConkey
Jayden Daniels
Defensive Rookie Of The Year: Jared Verse
The only one of my preseason picks who lived up to my expectations in Week 1. In his debut, Verse recorded a sack, four tackles, including one for loss, against one of the NFL's best offensive lines as the Rams faced the Lions on Sunday night. Although the Rams lost in overtime, Verse’s performance gives McVay and company plenty to feel positive about going forward.
Season Stats: 4 TCKLS, 2 SOLO, 1 SACK, 1 TFL
Defensive Rookie Of The Year Ladder:
Jared Verse
T'Vondre Sweat
Quinyon Mitchell
Javon Bullard
Calen Bullock
Comeback Player Of The Year: Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts
Many of the players coming back from injury showed their rust this weekend. Aaron Rodgers, Joe Burrow, and Kirk Cousins I all expect to improve as they get more reps, but you could tell they had not played football in a long. In Indianapolis, Anthony Richardson was as dynamic as ever, and although his accuracy is still a work in progress, his playmaking ability with both his arm and legs was fully on display. Richardson currently has the inside track for this award.
Season Stats: 2TDS, 1 INTS, 212 YDS, 47.4 CMP%, 56 RUSH YDS, 1 RUSH TDS, 87.5 QBR
Ladder: N/A
Coach Of The Year: Mike MacDonald, Seattle Seahawks
Very few units across the league looked more improved than the Seattle Seahawks' defense in Week 1. Almost all of that can be traced back to the new scheme implemented by Seahawks' new head coach Mike MacDonald. After one week, MacDonald must be considered the early leader for this award.
Coach Of The Year Ladder After Week 1:
Mike MacDonald
Jim Harbaugh
Kyle Shanahan
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