Thursday is MVP! Being at the top of your game and losing a match? That's exactly what MVP favorite Josh Allen experienced this week. Still going strong, Saquon Barkley continues his harvest and remains the only danger for the quarterbacks this year in the race for the supreme individual trophy.
Jared Goff continues his high-class season out of the spotlight. Spotlights which continue to highlight the terrible failings of Kirk Cousins and which are beginning to push the Falcons into a strange slump.
Star of the week: Josh Allen (QB), Bills
Josh Allen may have seen his Bills lose to the Rams, but he still made history with a performance worthy of an MVP. By scoring three passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns, he became the first player in the Super Bowl era to achieve this feat, joining legend Otto Graham. With 342 passing yards and 82 rushing yards, Allen gave it his all, even if the 44-42 defeat tarnished his efforts.
Despite this heavy defeat, he proved, once again, that he is a phenomenon. His 23 passing touchdowns and 9 rushing touchdowns make him a compelling candidate for the MVP this season. This game is his tenth with more than 300 passing yards and 50 rushing yards, a first in NFL history.
The Bills, despite the defeat, remain leaders of the AFC East with a record of 10-3 and a place in the playoffs already assured. And even if Allen didn't have the victory in the end, he once again showed that he is the one who carries this team on his shoulders, and that no quarterback is more dangerous than him this season.
The revelation of the week: Ja'Marr Chase (WR), Bengals
Ja'Marr Chase is making NFL history this season, with a performance that places him among the best receivers in the game. At 79 receptions, he is still in the race to clinch the Triple Crown of receptions, which consists of simultaneously finishing first in the league in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. But beyond the numbers, what makes it great is its ability to constantly evolve.
Under the leadership of his receivers coach Troy Walters, Chase took on a new dimension this season, moving from the classic outside receiver role to a much more complex slot role, where he was able to excel. This adaptation to different types of coverages, and his ability to understand defensive schemes, shows that he is not just running routes, but is now a game strategist.
Chase is not only a physical beast, but a complete player who has learned to adapt, to reinvent himself to get ahead of his opponents. The way he has transformed his game this year is a testament to his hard work and determination to be one of the best. He has proven that he is not just an exceptional athlete, but also a strategist of the game, and this season only solidifies his place among the very best players of his generation.
Disappointment of the week: Kirk Cousins (QB), Falcons
Kirk Cousins seems to be sinking a little deeper each week, and after his disastrous performance against the Vikings, calls for change are increasing. Present for the second week in a row, here he is cited as disappointment of the week. The Falcons quarterback made a series of fatal errors, leaving his team on the floor in a defeat that could have been avoided. His decisions with the ball were real poison for Atlanta.
The peak of the debacle? It has now been four games without a single touchdown thrown by the Falcons quarterback. All with Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson and Darnell Mooney available, it's starting to work. Especially since these four games saw him throw a whopping eight interceptions! No, the former Vikings player is really having a bad time and is starting to spoil his team's very good first half of the season.
Cousins' disastrous performances, particularly over the last four weeks, have put pressure on him, especially as Michael Penix is patiently waiting for his chance. After being selected by the Falcons 8th overall in the last draft, Penix could well be offered a starting place if Cousins does not raise his head quickly. Fans are already starting to call for his replacement, and the media are not to be outdone, with some not hesitating to say that it is high time to give the former University of Washington quarterback a chance.
The ranking: The status quo
1- Josh Allen (-) Quarterback – Buffalo Bills (11-2)
13 games – 3,033 yards at 64.1% completions – 23 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 101.9 rating
2- Lamar Jackson (-1) Quarterback – Baltimore Ravens (8-5)
13 games – 3290 yards at 67% completions – 29 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 116.3 rating
3- Saquon Barkley (-) Running Back – Philadelphia Eagles (11-2)
13 games – 1,623 yards at 6.1 yards per carry, 11 touchdowns – 267 yards at 9.2 yards per reception, 2 touchdowns
4- Jared Goff (-) Quarterback – Detroit Lions (12-1)
13 games – 3,265 yards at 72.4% completions – 25 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 109.1 rating
5- Derrick Henry (-) Running Back – Baltimore Ravens (8-5)
13 games – 1407 yards at 5.9 yards per carry, 13 touchdowns – 125 yards at 9.6 yards per reception, 2 touchdowns
