NFL Week 7: Handing out End of the Week Awards

Week 7 in the NFL was another exciting one as solid performances around the league delighted fans. Games were close and certain players dazzled in their showings. 

Touchdowns, more touchdowns, miraculous catches and jaw dropping runs were the norm in the league this week as teams tried to get out of the 3-3 logjam that many of them were faced with. 

But who stood out the most this week? 

Here are the end of the week awards for an exciting Week 7. 

Offensive Player of the Week

Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints QB

Brees was on fire in a 35-28 victory against division rivals the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was 27-for-37 with 377 yards and four touchdowns. His 130.1 passer rating was second only to Aaron Rodgers. 

Brees was also able to diversify in the passing game as four different receivers hauled in touchdown grabs. That air assault kick started a running attack and “Breesus" was able to make up for the Saints horrible defense with a wonderful offensive performance. 

If Brees wasn’t the one behind center, then the Saints could have very well lost this game. 

Defensive Player of the Week

Malcolm Jenkins, New Orleans Saints 

This video of the defensive play of Week 7, coupled with some notes from Peter King of Sports Illustrated, pretty much says it all. Jenkins saved the game and season for the Saints in one fell swoop.

His numbers weren’t as good as other candidates for the award but it was that one play that will be forever remembered by the New Orleans faithful. 

Jenkins prevented Tampa Bay superstar receiver Vincent Jackson from scoring on what was a 95-yard catch-and-run. The Saints defense then refused to let the Buccaneers into the end zone and hung on to win the contest. 

This was not only a game changing play but also a heads up one that instilled life into the struggling team. 

Rookie of the Week

Andrew Luck, Indianpolis Colts QB 

While fellow rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III was dueling it out with Eli Manning, Andrew Luck put on a solid performance of his own in Indianapolis.

His 16-for-29, 186-yard performance wasn’t perfect but it didn’t have to be. It was just enough to secure the Colts a victory and get the squad to three wins, surpassing their 2011 win total.

The Stanford graduate didn’t have to rally his team at the waning moments of the game this week because the Colts had already put the game out of reach. They did this on the back of Luck who found the end zone twice on the ground through runs of three yards and five yards each. 

The No. 1 draft pick’s versatility was on display on Sunday and he put up substantial production for the Indy faithful. But what was the main difference between Luck and the other NFL rookies considered for this award? 

Luck got the win. 

Game of the Week

New England Patriots vs. New York Jets

The NFL gods blessed fans with some great games this weekend. We had overtime on two occasions, wild endings and last second touchdowns. 

But the most highly anticipated matchup of the day did not disappoint. Tempers flared as Tom Brady and Mark Sanchez took to the field in Foxboro. It looked like the Patriots would runaway with a victory, after a pair of Brady to Gronkowski touchdowns and a Devin McCourty 104-yard kickoff return, but the Jets just wouldn’t go away. 

They put up 13 points in the fourth quarter and Nick Folk became Gang Green’s saving grace. Rex Ryan and company couldn’t muster up enough magic though, and Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 48-yarder to win it in overtime. 

It was another classic installment of one of the best rivalries in the NFL and the iconic image of Rob Ninkovich knocking the ball away from Mark Sanchez to finally end overtime is one that will live on in the history books. 

The New York Giants vs. Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills vs. Tennessee Titans were also considered for this award, but the pure bitterness between these two rivals and the Jets refusal to go away made this game one of the best so far. 

Fantasy Performance of the Week

Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans RB

Many fantasy owners decided to sit the star running back after dismal performances in earlier weeks. What a mistake that was.

Johnson exploded against the porous Buffalo defense as he ran for 195 yards on 18 carries. The cherry on top was that CJ2K found the end zone twice against Buffalo. He had failed to score all season. 

The five-year veteran is a Fantasy Football staple, but his early production did little to justify his high draft position in many leagues. For the owners that decided to stay loyal to Johnson, this performance was a long time coming. The owners that decided to bench or trade him are probably kicking themselves right now. 

Welcome back to the forefront of Fantasy Football, Mr. Johnson! 

Play of the Week

Joe Morgan, New Orleans Saints WR

Incredible. This was a 48-yard touchdown reception that will go down as one of the best of the season.

MVP of the Week

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers QB

In Saint Louis on Sunday, Aaron Rodgers once again proved that he is the best in the league. Facing a stingy Rams defense, the former MVP went 30-for-37 as he threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns. 

His 132.2 passer rating led the league this week and he topped the charts again with 30 completions. What makes his achievement all the more renowned is that the Rams are ranked 14th in the NFL when defending the pass. 

But the main reason why Rodgers is the most valuable to his team this week is because the Packers could not have won without him. They got little to no run support as Alex Green posted only 35 yards on 20 carries. Randall Cobb broke a big run for 19 yards and fan favorite John Kuhn had three carries for 16 yards, but Green Bay was going nowhere on the ground. 

If one was to take Rodgers out of the equation, I don’t think the Pack would leave Saint Louis with a win. The fact that the A-Rod was able to get the win for his team, and look prolific while doing so, is enough to garner him a MVP trophy to add to a growing collection.