Bleacher Report's Week 3 NFL Awards
If you told folks before the 2014 NFL season began that there would be three undefeated teams remaining after Week 3, you might have gotten some arguments.
Really? Only three?
If you then told people the three teams would be the Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles, the laughing would have started.
A lot of laughing.
Still, that's exactly where we stand after the Eagles won a thriller against Washington, the Bengals throttled the Tennessee Titans and the Cardinals came back to down the San Francisco 49ers in the desert.
As we close the book on a wild Week 3 across the National Football League, Bleacher Report's National and Division Lead Writers gathered to give their takes on the week's standout performances.
Here's what they had to say.
Team of the Week
1 of 12
Winner: Seattle Seahawks (6 votes)
There were a number of worthy candidates for team of the week in Week 3, squads who put forth impressive performances.
However, in the opinion of our panelists, one team stands slightly above the rest.
The game of the week in Week 3 took place in Seattle, where the Seahawks and Denver Broncos staged the first regular-season Super Bowl rematch in nearly 20 years.
The game didn't disappoint, with Denver quarterback Peyton Manning storming down the field in the final minutes to knot the score at 20 and force overtime.
Unfortunately, that was the last time Denver would get the ball.
After winning the coin flip in overtime, the Seahawks drove 80 yards down the field for the game-clinching touchdown. That drive represented what playing football is all about, Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson told reporters after the game.
"I can't wait for those moments, those big-time moments and have guys to continue to believe in what we do," Wilson said. "That was a great experience tonight."
This week, our experts believe as well.
Others receiving votes: Atlanta Falcons (5 votes), Arizona Cardinals (4 votes), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2 vot...who am I kidding? Just making sure you're paying attention.)
Coach of the Week
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Winner: Bruce Arians, Arizona Cardinals (13 votes)
You know, it's starting to look like Bruce Arians is pretty good at this head coaching stuff.
Two years ago, Arians took over for an ailing Chuck Pagano in Indianapolis and led the Colts to the playoffs, a performance that won him a Coach of the Year award.
Last year, Arians' Cardinals were one of the bigger surprise teams in the NFL, winning 10 games.
The Redbirds came up short of the playoffs in 2013, but after downing the 49ers 23-14 in Week 3, the Cardinals enter their bye at 3-0 and all alone in first place in the NFC West.
What makes the Cardinals' start all the more remarkable is how they've done it. The team has won the past two games with backup Drew Stanton at quarterback. The defense has been gutted by injuries, especially in the front seven.
As Don Banks of Sports Illustrated notes, the Cardinals' comeback win over the 49ers is a microcosm for Arians' teams: They just don't quit.
"Arizona just knows how to win, and its latest success story was one of its more remarkable feats yet. Down 14-6 at the half, the Cardinals outscored Jim Harbaugh’s club 17-0 in the second half, and watched as the seasoned and playoff perennial 49ers self-destructed in the game’s most pivotal moments. San Francisco entered play 9-2 in games following losses in the four-year Harbaugh era, but that record is a little less glossy now.
"
If there was any doubt before, it's gone now. Be it with Stanton or Carson Palmer, injuries or no...
The Arizona Cardinals are for real.
Others receiving votes: Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks (2 votes)
Goat of the Week
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"Winner:" Jared Cook, TE, St. Louis Rams (7 votes)
By all rights, the St. Louis Rams should be 2-1.
The Rams squandered both a 21-point lead and numerous opportunities to put the Dallas Cowboys away en route to a 34-31 loss in Week 3. Among the gaffes was the drop of a sure touchdown pass by tight end Jared Cook.
However, it was what Cook did after that earned the sixth-year veteran this "award."
As if it wasn't bad enough that Cook dropped the ball, he then dropped his maturity level to that of a six-year-old, shoving quarterback Austin Davis when the young quarterback approached him after the play.
Because apparently Davis made the ball too easy to catch or something.
The nerve of some people!
Cook issued a mea culpa of sorts after the game, according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com:
"My actions from today's game were truly a mistake - unintentional and in the heat of the moment. There is never an excuse for unsportsmanlike conduct and I apologize to everyone. I want to thank my teammates again, Austin Davis and William Hayes for their support on the sidelines - the Rams organization and especially to all of our fans for whom we fight so hard for your love and continued support.
"
I guess that's slightly more mature than doing this, at least.
Others receiving votes: Lovie Smith, head coach, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4 votes); Mike Shula, offensive coordinator, Carolina Panthers (1 vote); Gabe Jackson, OL, Oakland Raiders (1 vote); Mike McCarthy, head coach, Green Bay Packers (1 vote); Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, Tennessee Titans (1 vote)
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Rookie of the Week
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Winner: Khalil Mack, OLB, Oakland Raiders (5 votes)
After the Oakland Raiders drafted him fifth overall in this past May's NFL draft, linebacker Khalil Mack has gotten his professional career off to somewhat of a slow start.
In Sunday's loss to the New England Patriots, however, Mack offered a glimpse of why the Silver and Black spent that high pick on the former MAC madman.
Mack may not have gotten a sack against the Pats, but he was in the backfield all day, tallying seven total tackles and a pair of hits on quarterback Tom Brady.
As Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle reports, the performance caught the attention of Patriots lineman Nate Solder, who spent much of the afternoon futilely trying to block Mack.
“He’s a young guy and an incredible talent,” Solder said. “He will certainly be a good player, in my opinion.”
For his part, Mack said it felt good to enjoy some success:
"It felt good. When you start beating your man, it makes the other team worry about you and it affects what they can do on offense. And it gives your team a lift, gets them fired up and opens things up defensively. It just makes you want to dominate your man a little more on the next play.
"
Now if the Raiders can just enjoy some success on the scoreboard.
Others receiving votes: Jordan Matthews, WR, Philadelphia Eagles (4 votes); Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Carolina Panthers (4 votes); Jake Matthews, OT, Atlanta Falcons (1 vote); Joel Bitonio, OG, Cleveland Browns (1 vote)
Best QB Performance
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Winner: Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles (5 votes)
The Super Bowl rematch in Seattle may have been the game of the week, but the most exciting game on Sunday took place in the City of Brotherly Love.
The Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles traded punches (both literally and figuratively) in a wild affair, with the Eagles once again coming back after being down early to emerge with a 37-34 victory that leaves Philadelphia one of three remaining unbeaten teams in the NFL.
The quarterbacks combined to pass for over 750 yards on the day, but while Washington's Kirk Cousins won on the stat sheet, Philly's Nick Foles won both on the scoreboard and in the mind of our panelists.
Foles completed 27 of 41 passes for 325 yards and three touchdowns in the win. After the game, Foles gave the credit to his teammates.
"We stick together and there's a great camaraderie," Foles told reporters. "In the locker room during games like that, we lean on each other instead of blaming each other. That's what football should be about."
Foles may not want to take the credit for the Eagles' big win, but we're giving it to him anyway.
Others receiving votes: Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts (4 votes), Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins (3 votes), Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks (2 votes), Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (1 vote)
Best RB Performance
6 of 12
Winner: Rashad Jennings, New York Giants (8 votes)
In Week 2, a late fumble by New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings cost Big Blue any opportunity at a comeback against the Arizona Cardinals.
Redemption came in a big way during Sunday's win over the Houston Texans, with Jennings rumbling to a career-best 176 yards and a touchdown on 34 carries.
As Mitch Abramson of the New York Daily News reports, Jennings dedicated his career day to his father, a double amputee who has diabetes.
"Today, I was just reminded that my father has diabetes and he ended up getting both of his legs amputated," Jennings said. "He doesn’t have legs. Today, I remembered that I do have them.”
DeMarco Murray of the Dallas Cowboys may be laying claim to the title of the NFL's best running back with his league-leading 385 rushing yards, and Le'Veon Bell of the Pittsburgh Steelers may look like the league's best back after embarrassing the Carolina Panthers on Sunday night, but for Week 3 at least, Jennings is the man of the hour.
Others receiving votes: Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers (6 votes), DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys (1 vote)
Best WR Performance
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Winner: Emmanuel Sanders, Denver Broncos (6 votes)
This is why the Denver Broncos are so dangerous offensively. Well, this and that Manning fellow.
Heading into the Broncos' Week 3 showdown with the Seattle Seahawks, there was plenty of talk about how the Legion of Boom would contain superstar wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.
Pundits pontificated about the matchup between Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas and Broncos tight end Julius Thomas (no relation). Or Denver wide receiver Wes Welker's return to action after beginning the 2014 campaign on a suspension.
Then the game started, and Denver wideout Emmanuel Sanders got down to work.
Sanders had more than twice as many receiving yards as any other receiver on either team in Sunday's overtime thriller, hauling in 11 catches for 149 yards on 15 targets.
Sanders downplayed his performance while speaking with Mike Klis and Troy Renck of The Denver Post, chalking it up to the Broncos simply exploiting a hole in Seattle's coverage:
"We figured them out. They run one coverage and one coverage only. They've perfected that coverage. They've got good players that understand that system. If we get a chance to play them again, I think we'll have a chance.
"
The Broncos may have lost the game, but it's the second game in a row Sanders has eclipsed the 100-yard mark, and he's definitely fitting right in in his new Rocky Mountain home.
Eric who?
Others receiving votes: Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons (5 votes), DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans (2 votes), Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers (2 votes)
Best TE Performance
8 of 12
Winner: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (10 votes)
Week 3 was a quiet one for the tight end position. There weren't really any "monster" games, and the so-called "big names" were held more or less in check.
Of course, that opened the door for some lesser-known players to have their time in the spotlight.
Players like Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Granted, Kelce's three catches for 36 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Miami Dolphins are hardly eye-popping numbers, but it wasn't what he did.
It was how the second-year pro did it.
You just can't say enough about moves like that.
Others receiving votes: Niles Paul, Washington Redskins (4 votes), Lance Kendricks, St. Louis Rams (1 vote)
Best Defensive Performance
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Winner: Kam Chancellor, SS, Seattle Seahawks (6 votes)
In Super Bowl XLVIII, an early hit by Seattle strong safety Kam Chancellor on wide receiver Demaryius Thomas on the game's first drive sent a message to the Denver Broncos.
The yardage wasn't going to come easily.
Chancellor was right back at it in Sunday's rematch. The fifth-year veteran was a force again in the Seahawks' overtime win, racking up nine stops, intercepting a pass and forcing a fumble.
What makes the performance all the more impressive, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports, is news that Chancellor was playing hurt.
Chancellor was apparently considering ankle surgery after Seattle's Week 2 loss at San Diego, but the 26-year-old told Garafolo those plans are on hold now.
"Man, it felt great today," Chancellor said. "Last week, it was bothering me. But this week, it felt amazing. We did some different stuff to fix it up, fix the shoes and stuff and it felt awesome."
It must be true what they say. Those new Dr. Scholl's comfort fit insoles really do work!
Others receiving votes: DeAndre Levy, OLB, Detroit Lions; Jelani Jenkins, OLB, Miami Dolphins (2 votes); Khalil Mack, OLB, Oakland Raiders (2 votes); Kyle Williams, DT, Buffalo Bills (2 votes); Chandler Jones, DE, New England Patriots (1 vote)
Best Decision
10 of 12
Winner: Arizona Cardinals' game plan vs. San Francisco 49ers (4 votes)
As the most subjective category in our weekly awards, best decision is a category where there are always going to be any number of varying responses.
However, four of our voters this week all referenced some variation on the same theme: Bruce Arians and the Arizona Cardinals did all the right things against the San Francisco 49ers.
For NFL National Lead Writer Ty Schalter, NFC East Lead Writer Brad Gagnon and NFC West Lead Writer Sean Tomlinson, it was the Arizona defense containing quarterback Colin Kaepernick's ability to make plays with his legs in the second half.
NFL National Lead Writer Mike Freeman, on the other hand, may have said it best.
His vote for the best decision of Week 4? "Anything Bruce Arians did."
The Redbirds are for real, folks.
Others receiving votes: Detroit Lions' defensive game plan (3 votes), Seattle Seahawks' play-calling in overtime (3 votes), San Diego Chargers going pass-heavy against the Buffalo Bills (1 vote), Pittsburgh Steelers' dedication to running the ball vs. the Carolina Panthers (1 vote), Andy Reid's red-zone play-calling vs. the Miami Dolphins (1 vote), Jacksonville Jaguars turning to Blake Bortles at quarterback (1 vote), Jason Peters sticking up for Nick Foles (1 vote)
Worst Decision
11 of 12
"Winner:" Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8 votes)
Heading into the 2014 season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were labeled a dark-horse playoff contender by many pundits.
Even after an 0-2 start to the season that saw the Buccaneers lose to a pair of backup quarterbacks, three members of our panel (myself included) picked Tampa as the "upset of the week" over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2.
Yeah, um, about that.
The Buccaneers didn't just lose. They were embarrassed in every way in which a team can be embarrassed. The Falcons scored the first 56 points of the game en route to the second-most lopsided win in franchise history.
The Buccaneers were terrible in every way that a team can be terrible. Want some horrific decision-making? Keep kicking it to Devin Hester after his long return on the first punt of the game gets called back due to a penalty.
Tampa was completely inept offensively, except when it came to turning the ball over. They had little trouble with that.
The defense was great, just so long as you don't nitpick about little things like tackling, pursuit and effort.
However, players such as offensive tackle Demar Dotson are rallying around both their teammates and embattled first-year head coach Lovie Smith, according to Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com:
"We can’t see 0-4. I don’t want to see 0-4. This football team doesn’t want to see 0-4. It’s going to be a big challenge for us to go out there. Can we beat Pittsburgh? Yeah, we can, but it starts today. This ain’t on Lovie. When you come out there on the field, the players have to play. The players didn’t play. It’s not on Lovie. He did everything he could to prepare us. It’s all on us. We didn’t play good enough.
"
Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports, on the other hand, was withering in his criticism of the team:
"Where did it go so wrong for the hapless Bucs? Perhaps go back to the offseason decision at quarterback. The Buccaneers had the all-rookie quarterback from last year, Glennon. Coach Lovie Smith came in and decided he had to have a veteran at quarterback, any veteran. He got Josh McCown, who was mediocre for a decade before five good starts with the Bears last year. McCown has been bad. He threw a pick-6 in the first half that gave Atlanta 21-0 lead. Smith screwed that situation up tremendously by not at least letting Glennon show what he could do in year two. McCown was knocked out of the game with a thumb injury in the first half, giving way to Glennon for the rest of the game.
The quarterback situation isn't the only problem. The team has a leadership problem, obviously. Everyone blamed Greg Schiano, last year's coach, for the team's 4-12 record. He was fired. The Buccaneers look even worse this season. Can't blame Schiano anymore. Can't put it all on Smith either. He wasn't around for last year's debacle. When a team rolls over like Tampa Bay did, knowing that at 0-2 its last chance to make something of its season probably rested in going to Atlanta and getting a win, wholesale changes need to be made.
The only good news for the Buccaneers is it can't get any worse. They can't quit on the season twice.
"
And that's the thing. From all appearances, the Buccaneers flat-out quit last Thursday night.
There's no worse decision than can be made on a football field.
Or maybe there is. As Bleacher Report NFL National Lead Writer Ty Schalter wrote, "How does (Stephen) Tulloch blowing out his knee on a mock Discount Double-Check not earn him a unanimous Worst Decision vote? It’s way out in front of the Worst Decision of 2014 race, too."
Others receiving votes: Stephen Tulloch's season-ending sack dance (2 votes), Ron Rivera eschewing the run against the Pittsburgh Steelers (2 votes), Denver Broncos' play-calling on offense and in overtime (2 votes), Miami Dolphins' offensive play-calling (1 vote)
Player of the Week
12 of 12
Winner: Nick Foles, QB, Philadelphia Eagles (9 votes)
We've already mentioned Foles' big day against the Redskins, but one drive personifies the performance.
From the Associated Press (via ESPN):
"The nasty game was marred by a fourth-quarter brawl near the Washington sideline after Eagles quarterback Nick Foles was blindsided by defensive lineman Chris Baker during an apparent interception return. Baker and Eagles left tackle Jason Peters were ejected -- and then the INT was overturned by video replay. That led to Jeremy Maclin's 27-yard touchdown to break a 27-27 tie.
Maclin credited Foles' toughness with inspiring the Eagles.
'That's the guy you want, the guy who gets up play after play,' Maclin said.
"
Success in the NFL is greatly predicated on a team's quarterback. More teams than not have a player at the position who can throw a football, but they don't have a quarterback.
It would appear the Philadelphia Eagles do not have that particular problem.
Others receiving votes: Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks (5 votes), Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos (1 vote)
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