QUARTERBACKDREW BREES - Saints
The NFL's passing leader through week with 4,100 passing yards also is tied for the league lead with 26 TDs. Brees also leads the NFL in passes over both 20 (52) and 40 (15) yards. He also rarely gets sacks, just 10 times so far. Drew is connecting on over 65% of his passes and has a QB rating of 96.2
Honorable mention to Kurt Warner who might well be the NFL MVP once again in a tight race depending on how he closes out the season. He is second to Brees with 4,020 passing yards with 25 TDs and only 12 picks. His QB rating of 99.1 leads the NFL. You probably got a huge bargain where you picked Warner this year.
RUNNING BACK
MICHAEL TURNER - Falcons
No longer in LT's shadow in San Diego, Turner burst onto the scene this year and is a key reason for the Falcons dramatic turnaround. Turner is second in the league in rushing yards with 1,269 and leads the league with 14 rushing TDs. The workhorse has already reached 300 attempts, highest in the NFL and has only lost the ball once. The only downside is he isn't much of a threat in the passing game with just four receptions.
DEANGELO WILLIAMS - Panthers
Williams is fifth in the league in rushing with 1,141 yards for Carolina and his 5.4 ypc is by far the best among the top 30 rushers in the league. His 13 rushing TDs trail only Turner and LenDale White, both of whom have 14. DeAngelo has not had a fumble this year and also has another two TDs through the air.
Honorable mention to Thomas Jones of the Jets who is quietly having a great year sitting fourth in total yards with 1,144 and has also found the end zone 12 times on the ground and twice more through the air to edge out Brian Westbrook here.
WIDE RECEIVER
ANQUAN BOLDIN - Cardinals
No receiver has reached the end zone more than Boldin who has scored a career high 11 times. After busting up his face, he has missed 3 starts but is still tied for the team lead with 83 receptions, good for fourth best in the league.
LARRY FITZGERALD - Cardinals
You wonder why Warner could be the MVP, well just look to his set of bookend WRs. Fitz, just 25, is three years younger than his teammate but matched him with 83 catches and he is tied for second in the league with 9 touchdowns.
CALVIN JOHNSON - Lions
It is really amazing that anyone on the Lions makes this list. He has had Kitna, Orlovsky, Stanton and Culpepper all throwing the ball to him but still has 1,055 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns with an 18.8 ypc average.
Honorable mention to Greg Jennings of the Packers who fourth in the league with 1,131 receiving yards and has seven touchdowns as well.
TIGHT END
TONY GONZALEZ - Chiefs
While Kansas City is horrible, the 32-year old veteran keeps doing what he does best - catch the ball. Gonzo leads all TEs with 78 receptions (tied for 7th best in the league) and has 879 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
Honorable mention to Antonio Gates of the Chargers who has 534 yards and six scores.
KICKER
STEPHEN GOSTKOWSKI - Patriots
Without Brady the Pats still score, just not as many touchdowns which benefits the kicking game. He has more FGs than anyone else (30), hitting 91% of his attempts. He is 1-1 from beyond 50, and 9 of 11 from 40-49.
Honorable mention to Ryan Longwell of the Packers who has made 26 field goals, five of five from beyond 50 yards.
DEFENSE
BALTIMORE RAVENS
You would think this defense is too old to keep it going, but here they are. They are 2nd overall in total defense, third best in the league in scoring defense, lead the league with 22 picks, have four fumble recoveries, and second in the NFL with six defensive touchdowns.
Honorable mention to the Steelers Steel Curtain who have the top ranked defense, the top ranked scoring defense, have 16 interceptions, nine fumble recoveries and two scores.
MVP
KURT WARNER - Cardinals
Brees certainly got some consideration, but he was a top five pick at his position. Those who waited and took Warner look like geniuses now and likely have a strong running game to compliment Warner. You could argue that his wide outs are the reason for his success, but who cares since it is all about production in FF.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
CHRIS JOHNSON - Titans
The rookie running back is currently 6th in the league in rushing with 1,094 yards has also scored 8 touchdowns, both higher than Matt Forte of the Bears, and Johnson averages nearly a yard better per carry while splitting time with LenDale White.
Posts
