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With plenty of upsets and blowouts to go around, Week 6 & 7 did not disappoint. We saw underdogs rail their opponents, unsung heroes make big time plays, and some of the best playcallers get outcoached. The NFL landscape has been shaken up heavily this year, and these past two weeks were no different.
I'll be recapping my fantasy predictions for Week 6 and list my top projected players for Week 8. Makes no sense to predict the top performers for Week 7 since it's already passed.
Photo: Brett Davis/USA TODAY Sports
Week 7 Power Rankings
Teams to Note
New York Jets (Rose 10 spots)
Last week, the Giants rose 10 spots, this week, it's the Jets. Saleh has this defense playing at a high level, Breece Hall has been one of the best playmakers in the NFL, and they just took down the Green Bay Packers, who started the season at 3-1. There is some drama surrounding Elijah Moore, but that shouldn't make that much of an impact.
San Francisco 49ers (Dropped 3 spots)
I know they dropped only three spots after a loss to the Falcons, but I have my reasons. First off, they only had 4 of their normal defensive starters healthy for the game, including several other backups who were limited or unavailable. Yes, the offense did virtually nothing against Atlanta's defense, but their defense is better than what's on paper. The 49ers do have a rough 4 week stretch coming up against the Chiefs, Rams, and Chargers, but their defense should get healthier over that time span.
Pittsburgh Steelers (Rose 5 spots)
Pittsburgh snagged a much needed win against one of the best defenses in the league. Even with Pickett's injury and Trubisky taking over, they still managed to work Tampa's defense and escape with a close win. If they can build on this momentum, they could make a solid run against some tough teams along the next 4 weeks.
Week 6 Awards
AFC Offensive MVP: Ja'Marr Chase - Cincinnati Bengals
AFC Defensive MVP: Sauce Gardner - New York Jets
AFC Trench Tyrant: Michael Onwenu - New England Patriots
AFC Special Teams MVP: Dustin Hopkins - Los Angeles Chargers
NFC Offensive MVP: Marcus Mariota - Atlanta Falcons
NFC Defensive MVP: Montez Sweat - Washington Commanders
NFC Trench Tyrant: David Bakhtiari - Green Bay Packers
NFC Special Teams MVP: Ryan Wright - Minnesota Vikings
Award Winners to Note
Dustin Hopkins - This guy is a stud. Although every field goal he hit came between 30-39 yards, he injured his hamstring in the first quarter, which forced him to wear a leg wrap on the sidelines all game long. He drilled 4 field goals, including the game winner to give the Chargers the win over the Broncos, not many kickers in the league have that level of grit.
Montez Sweat - Sweat has had a very underrated season, and he was able to showcase his outstanding play on Thursday Night Football. On 33 pass rush snaps, he generated 8 pressures and a sack, while also locking down the run on defense with 6 stops on 16 snaps. With Chase Young set to return in a few weeks, Sweat should get more opportunities to disrupt opposing offenses.
David Bakhtiari - After missing considerable time over the past 2 seaosns, David had a lockdown game in Week 6. On 49 pass block snaps, he allowed just 1 pressure against a solid Jets pass rushing attack. He saw Carl Lawson, John Franklin-Myers, and Bryce Huff, all formidable pass rushing threats in the NFL.
Photo: Evan Siegel/Green Bay Packers
Key Fantasy Players Recap (Week 6)
QB: Geno Smith vs Arizona Cardinals
Projected - 18.3
Actual - 12.68
Result - Busted
RB: Eno Benjamin vs Seattle Seahawks
Projected - 11.4
Actual - 9.5
Result - Busted
WR: Amari Cooper vs New England Patriots
Projected - 10.6
Actual - 14.4
Result - Boomed
TE: Evan Engram vs Indianapolis Colts
Projected - 6.6
Actual - 9.0
Result - Boomed
D/ST: Carolina Panthers vs Los Angeles Rams
Projected - 5.5
Actual - 9.0
Result - Boomed
K: Harrison Butker vs Buffalo Bills
Projected - 8.2
Actual - 10.0
Result - Boomed
Week 6 Total: 4 Boomed, 2 Busted
Week 8 Power Rankings
Teams to Note
Arizona Cardinals (Rose 10 spots)
I was concerned about the Cardinals all year, and I know they played the Saints, but to put up 28 offensive points behind their 3rd and 4th string running backs and D-Hop's first game back from suspension, all while making mistakes up and down the field, is a good sign for the rest of the year. The defense has arrived, now it's time for the offense to do the same.
Seattle Seahawks (Rose 9 Spots)
Wow, the Seahawks took down the Chargers in LA. Kenneth Walker looks legit, Geno continues to make mind boggling throws, and the defense gets better week in and week out. They have a big test this week against the 6-1 Giants, but they should prove more than worthy of a challenge for the Big Blue.
Green Bay Packers/Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Dropped 3/7 spots respectively)
I clumped these two teams together for multiple reasons: both are 3-4, both got beat by teams who they should've wrecked, and both have aging MVP caliber QBs. It's not time to hit the panic button yet, but between the lackluster offensive production and poor QB play from both teams, it might be time to if they continue to plummet.
Week 7 Awards
AFC Offensive MVP: Joe Burrow - Cincinnati Bengals
AFC Defensive MVP: Jaelan Phillips - Miami Dolphins
AFC Trench Tyrant: Quenton Nelson - Indianapolis Colts
AFC Special Teams MVP: Thomas Morstead - Miami Dolphins
NFC Offensive MVP: Kenneth Walker III - Seattle Seahawks
NFC Defensive MVP: De'Vondre Campbell - Green Bay Packers
NFC Trench Tyrant: Aaron Banks - San Francisco 49ers
NFC Special Teams MVP: Cairo Santos - Chicago Bears
Award Winners to Note
Kenneth Walker III - After taking over as the lead back since Rashaad Penny's season ending injury, Kenneth has gone off. This past week, he carried the ball 23 times for 167 and 2 TDs, including a fantastic 74 yard scamper in the 4th quarter to put the game away against the Chargers.
Aaron Banks - While going against Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi, and Khalen Saunders, he allowed 0 pressures and kept Jimmy G clean the whole game. He was even better in the run game, as he posted a 92.0 run blocking grade per PFF on 23 snaps.
Jaelan Phillips - Jaelan got off to a slow start this year, but has had strong performances the past two weeks. Against the Steelers, he totaled 7 pressures and 2 sacks on 35 pass rush snaps, while also recording 6 stops. Although he wasn't targeted, he did drop into coverage 8 times, all from his edge alignment. His numbers look great, but he stands out even more on film.
Photo: Rebecca Blackwell/Associated Press
Key Fantasy Players for Week 8
QB: Tua Tagovailoa vs Detroit Lions
Tua eased his way back into the lineup against a good Steelers defense, now he'll have a chance to light up one of the worst defenses in the league.
RB: Tony Pollard vs Chicago Bears
With Zeke most likely out or limited this week, Tony will be the lead back and should get the most volume of his career.
WR: DeAndre Hopkins vs Minnesota Vikings
D-Hop had a great debut against the Saints, and he should be able to repeat that same production against the Vikings.
TE: Dawson Knox vs Green Bay Packers
Before the season starter, Knox was my tight end to avoid. This week, they'll play Green Bay's uninspired defense and their rookie linebacker, Quay Walker, who has been terrible. Knox should get plenty of chances to make plays this week.
D/ST: Las Vegas Raiders vs New Orleans Saints
With a QB carousel bound to take place for the Saints this week, the Raiders should feast on their offense. Expect plenty of picks for them like the Cardinals a week ago.
K: Cade York vs Cincinnati Bengals
It's a divisional matchup against a decent defense. Cade York should have a good amount of opportunities to split the uprights this week.
Photo: Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Final Notes:
As we near the midway point of the season, we're going to see some of the top teams collapse, while other low tier teams claw their way up to get a whiff of a playoff berth. The next 11 weeks of football are gonna be exciting, make sure to check back every week to see where each team stands and which players dominate the competition.
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