Best: Kyler Murray, Quarterback Arizona Cardinals
Pulling out a 32-30 win over the Buffalo Bills is impressive enough. But what makes this even more impressive is how Murray handled himself under pressure at the end of the game. Murray went 22 of 32 for 245 a touchdown a pick and was sacked three times. What everybody is going to remember, and talk about, is the touchdown. The end of the game Hail Mary. Murray had to escape pressure and let go on what looked to be a great pass, and did so while on the run. Then it goes to DeAndre Hopkins, who fought off three Buffalo defenders, who was able to make a pretty remarkable grab for the game winning score. With the performance put on in this game, Murray is turning up the heat on him being considered the best player in the game this season.
Worst: Drew Brees, Quarterback New Orleans Saints
Yes the Saints came away with a 27-13 win over the 49ers, but it came at a cost. Brees took a heavy hit in the first half of the game, and was taken out for Jameis Winston. Brees has multiple fractures on both sides of his ribs and collapsed lung on his right side. The Saints now sit at 7-2 with the win, but with Brees out hurt, who knows how things are going to go in New Orleans. Same thing happened last year when Brees got hurt, but Teddy Bridgwater was there to save the day and help keep the Saints in the race. This time, its up to either Taysum Hill or Jameis Winston. I got no real faith in Winston and Hill is a bit uncertain.
Best: Cleveland Browns Running Game
Cleveland came away with a harrowing 10-7 win over the Houston Texans, a lot of it had to do with how impactful their running game was. Cleveland, who is known for its passing attack, ran the ball with great effectiveness. 231 total running yards for the Browns on the day. Kareem Hunt had 19 carries for 104 and Nick Chubb was the second best runner in the NFL on the day, with 19 carries for 162 yards. They also managed to get three carries for you yard out of Baker Mayfield, but Hunt and Chubb's efforts were the big stories. Its the first time that a pair of Browns teammates had done that since 1966. Clelvenad is now 6-3 a\nd looks primed to break its 17 year playoff drought.
Worst: Buffalo Bills Defense
We touched on it before with Murray, but I feel the need to gloss over this again. The defense let get away a game they should have won. With how well the Buffalo offense was rolling on Sunday, you'd have thought the D could have been able to match it and make that lead stand up. I mean, after all, Josh Allen threw for over three hundred yards and was looking like he had regained some of his form from early in the season. Nope, not the case here as the defense had let it slip away. Arizona's offense looked like it pretty much had its way with the Bills D, same thing that happened against Seattle the week before. There's no excuse for what's going on with what had been a hallmark of Buffalo the last few years. It's really been a waste of a good year for the Bills offense.
Best: NFL Kickers
Being a kicker in the NFL this week seemed to be paying dividends. Kickers were 49 of 53 through the Sunday night game, pretty impressive numbers. Three legs, more so than the others, had themselves impressive days. First, we have Jason Myers of the Seahawks, who smacked a 61-yarder as the first half expired in the loss to the Rams. Then there's Matt Prater of the Lions, who managed to connect on a 59-yarder as time expired to beat Washington. Finally, there's Tyler Bass of the Bills converted on field goals of 54, 55 and 58 yards in the loss to the Cardinals.
Worst: Greg Roman, Offensive Coordinator Baltimore Ravens
New England knocked off Baltimore in a 23-17 Pats win, but the story is how little the Ravens were able to do against a shaky New England defense. Roman couldn't dial up plays to try and get the Ravens going. Yes, the weather was a factor, that much is true. But look at the 4th and 1 direct snap call to Mark Ingram near midfield. Ingram couldn't get a grip and it lead to a tunrover on downs. This is an ugly changeup from last year, as Jackson was league MVP and the team was playing a dominating level of football, This year, the offense can't seem to find its stride. Baltimore is slipping behind the Steelers in the race for a division title, and they need to get back on track fast if they want a shot at making this.
Best: Miami Dolphins
After a solid 29-21 win over the Chargers on Sunday, Miami got themselves right back into the thick of things in the AFC East, and the AFC playoff picture for that matter. The Fins have now won five in a row, including the last three with Tua under center. They're a game back of the Bills for the top spot in the AFC East, a position which few really saw out of the Dolphins this quickly. This also marks the 3rd week in a row that Miami has gotten scores from either special teams or the defense. Case in point, Andrew Van Ginkel's blocked punt was returned to the Chargers' 1-yard line, leading to an easy touchdown. It's showing that Miami has found new ways to be able to win and stay in games.
Worst: Seattle Seahawks
Don't look now, but the Seahawks once tight grip on the NFC West lead is starting to slip, this following a 23-16 loss to the Rams. Seattle is one of the highest scoring teams in the NFL, averaging 34.3 points a game. But the Rams persistent pass rush and thrown the Seattle offense off of its game. DK Metcaf had been held in check, not making his first catch till late in the 3rd quarter. Seattle has been out of its groove the last couple of weeks after a red hot start. They need to find that groove again.
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